Last year we introduced our two boys to the BWCA by doing two day trips, each trip had 1-2 easy, flat, short portages. We did East Bearskin/Alder/Canoe lakes, and a small loop from Sawbill. We're hoping to do an overnight this year - just go in one day and back out the next. We have our own canoe and gear as we did annual BWCA trips in our pre-kid days. We'll be staying in Grand Marais for a week during this time, so want to stay on the east side of the BWCA for our overnight. Our younger, 11yr old son has global developmental delays and a cognitive impairment, so we really want to stay on easier (smaller) lakes and portages. Any suggestions for an easy overnight trip?

You might check Sawbill area - Though not G. .M. it has great easy options.
Or up the Gunflint to Poplar, Lizz, and Caribou

what about pinelake entry? the tricky part would be getting the any of the campsites just past the portage . was also thinking of john but that might not be the best since camping is limited.

also, going back to alder and canoe wouldn't be such a bad idea. your other kids are familiar with those lakes and that could be helpful for the son you're introducing to the woods.

Poplar to caribou or horseshoe would be a nice trip.

Good for you for taking your children and giving them that experience. Every child should experience the outdoors in that way.

Seagull. Paddle in, no portages.

quote Mocha: "what about pinelake entry? the tricky part would be getting the any of the campsites just past the portage . was also thinking of john but that might not be the best since camping is limited.


also, going back to alder and canoe wouldn't be such a bad idea. your other kids are familiar with those lakes and that could be helpful for the son you're introducing to the woods.
"

I'd second this idea. I've never seen all 3 sites on John occupied at once so wouldn't be too concerned about that.

On Pine I've seen a lot of sites full but never seen the very first one occupied. It's right next to the outlet to McFarland, has water frontage on Pine and on McFarland.

From East Bearskin you could go to Crocodile lake. You could do Clearwater and even get a tow if that's attractive. Although it's a rather large lake, Brule comes to mind if you wanted to head south.

Pine Lake would be an excellent choice, especially if you could get the 1st site after entering Pine from McFarland. Pine is a very big lake, 8 miles long and 3/4 + mile wide and can be windy at times.

quote Mocha: "what about pinelake entry? the tricky part would be getting the any of the campsites just past the portage . was also thinking of john but that might not be the best since camping is limited.


also, going back to alder and canoe wouldn't be such a bad idea. your other kids are familiar with those lakes and that could be helpful for the son you're introducing to the woods.
"

Now that's a very good point about returning to a familiar area when introducing something new for him. While it'd be fun for them to experience a new area, it would probably be more likely to be successful if we returned to an area where he already had a good time. Also, less stressful for us as we wouldn't have to navigate a new area while supervising him. Thanks for the suggestion.

When he was 4 we took our son, who has autism, to Duncan Lake, which is one easy portage from the West Bearskin entry. We were lucky to get the site on the point across the portage, which is up high and so we weren't worried about him getting to the water without us (until he made his way down on his own sliding on his seat - ah, well). That site also has a nice swimming area, and the paddle from there to the stairway portage and Rose Lake made for a nice day trip.