We want to start off our canoe trip at Crane lake. My bf 2 dogs and I... How difficult is it to get to Little Vermilion? Would I have to take a shuttle? We have been using the GPS to map out our route and then I read about it being best to take a shuttle because of all the boats. I do not want to pay $300 for a shuttle. Is there an alternate route? Also where can I park my car? Will it just be best to take the shuttle? We want to do a 30 day canoe trip (we will stop to resupply once)... Any suggestions would be great.

30 days? Shuttle? I must be missing something. If I had 30 days planned, I would not need a shuttle to get anywhere in the BWCA or Quetico. Little Vermilion is very close to Crane. What’s the plan from there?

A lot of stuff I read says it’s difficult to canoe on crane lake because of all the boats and it’s narrow. So they suggest a motorized shuttle?

I don’t want to use a shuttle... But I also don’t want to be in a canoe while boats are going 40mph past me.

I have not been on Crane and Vermillion but those boats go to LLC and I have been on Loon to LLC. I have not seen many and none close. I won't say you won't feel wakes but did not seem significant to me.

Much more motor traffic on Fridays through Mondays so maybe avoid that.

Could you consider entering at LIS ep 14? Much the same as part of 30 days, though I admit I've been a little intrigued by entering at Crane Lake.

I have done the motor tows a number of times from Crane Lake. There are only two outfitters that do the tows, Andersons and Zups. They only go at certain times of day. Of course, outfitter traffic is only a small part as anyone can run a motorboat anytime. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Voyaguers is all motors. If you’re heading east to the bwca, why start at Crane?

An outfitter suggested starting out at crane lake.

I have paddled from Crane to Little Vermillion a few times. My thoughts-

-The distance to the middle of Little Vermillion Lake is 8 miles. Even if you paddle slow/take your time, you'll be there in just a few hours.

-You may have some motorized traffic but the only effect is a little noise and small wake produced waves.

-You can park your vehicle at one of the outfitters mentioned for a fee or as part of a partial outfitting or a nights stay. Contact them to find out. You can also pull your Entry Permit there.

-Assuming you will continue through Lil Vermillion. If so, you will continue to have boat traffic as far as Lac La Croix. The wakes from the motorized boats will be greatest along the narrow Loon River. If you're not comfortable with the wakes, move close to the shore as they pass. You'll want to move to the river right regardless to give you and them some space.

30 days...sounds great!

My son and I started at Crane last summer for our trip along the border. We put in at 5 a.m. to get a good start before the shuttles. My brother's party was getting a shuttle that same day and were leaving at 7:30. We were close to the narrows in Little Vermillion before we starting seeing boats. You can hear them in plenty of time to give them space. We probably saw 10 boats on Little Vermillion and the Loon River. On the Loon River we would wait it out on the side because it is narrow and they don't slow down. They do make some big wakes. I guess I looked at it as practice for when the lakes got rough. We put in on a Saturday because that's when we could get up to Crane but I think during the week there would be less boat/shuttle traffic. I think some of the cabins on LaCroix are Saturday to Saturday. I would not hesitate putting in at Crane Lake again. It's a beautiful area.

Crane lake may be my least favorite entry point, narrows with boat traffic, however it’s still the bwca, an interesting river that is unique in this area. Ignore the boats, most of the drivers are familiar with canoeists and drive their boats appropriately, safety is not an issue. I can’t say the same for boaters I’ve passed in voyageurs national park. From crane you could skip the loon river and head up to the namakan river. It’s canada so you would have to deal with that. The namakan river used to be the voyageur route but the voyageurs felt it was too dangerous and used the loon river instead. You’d be going upriver with thirty days of gear, the easier rapids probably don’t have portages but I’m certain they could be lined up. The falls on this river are worth the effort.

I'd start at little Indian Sioux... We do crane to Sandpoint to redhorse river every June. The boats going through the narrows into Sandpoint can be stupid. And we're in 14' fishing boats... Heavily loaded...
Actually I'd consider starting at moose River North. Go west through oyster to shell... Up heritage to loon up slim. Go up around to Eugene across to finger then pocket. Out to lac la Croix and east. You can do the border route and come back on the lower lakes. Lot's of options.
But no need to start on Crane lake IMO.
E-mail me if you need vehicle shuttle. I putt around all over the area from time to time. I may be able to help.

I went in on Crane the morning of the fishing opener a few years back. Can't imagine there can be days with more boat traffic than that. It was annoying going through the narrows but it wasn't that bad.