My 12 year old and I are planning on heading north in the middle of October. Planning on spending a few days on Lake Jeanette at one of the canoe in sites. Wondering if anyone has stayed at these sites before? I've looked online and can't find a lot of information. Plenty of info on the campground, but I'm not looking for that. Any info is appreciated.

Maybe you’ve seen the canoe camp sites on the lake in the map section of BWCA.com but if not check the link below.

https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=maps.pointdetail&olon=-92.29778&olat=48.13819&nlon=-92.29778&nlat=48.13819&zoom=13&size=500&locid=1913&ft=l&locname=Camp%202&ptype=CampsiteComment

I haven't stayed at any of the canoe-in sites on Jeanette, but we did camp at the campground a couple weeks ago and paddled around the lake. Several of the canoe-in sites were occupied and they (not surprisingly) looked like the nicest ones. Specifically the one on the island (2126 on the map linked to by plander), the one on the east end just above Jeanette Creek (2130), and the one on the north shore that is toward the the east (2128) all looked like great sites. The other two sites on the east and north shore didn't look that great, and we didn't check out the one on the west shore. In October I'm guessing you'll have your pick.

BearBurrito: "My 12 year old and I are planning on heading north in the middle of October. Planning on spending a few days on Lake Jeanette at one of the canoe in sites. Wondering if anyone has stayed at these sites before? I've looked online and can't find a lot of information. Plenty of info on the campground, but I'm not looking for that. Any info is appreciated. "

I don't have any info on the canoe-in sites on Jeannette. I will say I was up that way last October over MEA Break. The weather was downright perfect - high temps reaching 60 - I solo camped for three nights on Slim Lake (EP 6). I drove the Echo Trail on the way home stopping at various EP's and sights to see. I stopped at the Janette Lake Campground - it was 75% full to my surprise - but I did not see anyone at the canoe sites (saw no canoe trailers/extra vechicles at the landing there either). You should have your choice of campsite on that lake. Beauty of a lake for sure.

With your 12 year old - I would HIGHLY SUGGEST the Slim Lake EP. One long but very flat portage to enter the BWCA - with four great sites on that lake to choose from that are in the B-DUB. South Hegman would be a cinch as well - portage to the lake is not bad at all.

If you are hell bent on staying out of the BWCA, I will say the sites in the Maude/Astrid/Pauline areas near Lake Jeannette are worth checking out. You'll have plenty of solitude on those as well - Hunting Shack River is a fun little paddle that your 12 year old might think is fun - you park and put in on the Echo Trail - and paddle south to either Pauline (awesome site) or continue to Astrid (two great sites). Plus - there are hiking trails to go on if you need to stretch the legs/need something to do. I've hiked all of those - not too challenging at all and amazing scenery.

Nels Lake is another option.

Good luck with your adventure!

I have used the maps a lot in the past. Didn't even think to look at them for lake jeanette. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm glad they seem like nice sites. I'm sure we will have time to check them all out. Thanks!

I have been a BWCA regular for many years but have not ventured on to Jeanette until this year, once in May and once in August. Its a very nice lake and the sites we looked at were classic looking canoe-country sites. We stayed in the campground for 4 days and intended to do some day trips into the BWCA but ended up paddling on Jeanette very day, stopped at unoccupied sites for lunch breaks, all but one were vacant.. A few motor boats, back in August but never a problem. I think you will have the lake to yourself. Walleye fishing was good in the morning and evenings. The boat landing is excellent, just past the campground. If you need something from your car it is just a short paddle away. No permit needed. In August I think we saw way fewer people than we would have on the popular routes in the BWCA.

I stayed for a couple nights on an island site on Jeanette a couple years back. It was great! Go for it.

Question about these national forest service campgrounds like Lake Jeanette and some of the others. Do they close on October 1st? Are you able to stay in them after the first of October? When I look at the recreation.gov, it doesn't allow you to reserve campsites. I thought I remembered driving by Fall Lake campground one time after the first of October and it was totally closed up. Does anybody have any information on that?

According to the Rec gov website Jeanette and the nearby Echo Lake campgrounds will be ungated until Dec 1 but the water will be shut off October 1. If you are desperate of a place to camp there is a good place on the Echo trail just east of the Portage river, a few miles toward Ely from Jeanette. Not a campground but no one will bother you there. Have to be completely self suficient and practice no trace camping in this beautiful spot .

Thank you everyone for all the great info!

I was wondering if you went. If so how was it?