I'm trying to get a trip together for the end of June to the moose river area and was wondering how well that place deals with crowds. We're going in on a Tuesday and all the days before our date have almost all the permits taken. With the entry point nearly fully booked, what is there to expect in terms of site availability? We plan to go up to Lac la Croix for most of our stay, but will probably stay on Lake Agnes for a night.

On top of that, being the last week in June, what is there to expect in terms of bugs? I know nothing can be guaranteed but what have past seasons been like? I've never been to the BWCA during June.

EP 16 is a very popular/busy entry point, as indicted by the lack of permits leading up to your trip dates. In addition, Lake Agnes is also a very popular destination.

Your best bet is to always enter as early in the morning as possible. It is possible to make it to LLC in one day (as I have done it solo) so as long as weather allows, you pack right/light, and the people in your group are able to withstand a long day of paddling and portaging, it shouldn't be an issue.

Bugs in June are an automatic. Prepare for the worst, expect the worst. Bugs are part of the experience and also a part of life, so don't think twice about planning a trip based on that factor.

You didn't disclose how long your trip was for, how many people you have in your group or their experience level, where on LLC you want to go, etc....so the more info you give the better other members can help you. Hope you have a great trip....keep us posted!

Apologies, should've been more clear. It will be a 6 day trip, and the ultimate goal is to be in the Boulder/Tiger Bay area of LLC, or we may head north into LLC if we cant find a spot. It is a group of 3, with mixed experience. I've been to the BWCA around 10 times, another group member went twice, and it will be the first time for the third group member- but they've all been on canoe trips elsewhere before. We're all fairly young still and in decent shape so I assume we can make decent timing when traveling. Thank you for the info

I always trip the last or next to last week in June, and last year we entered at 16 and went to Agnes. There is a site I like on Agnes so we base camped there. We traveled fishing up the Boulder River, into Boulder Bay, saw a few people fishing and some camping. That is such a huge area, and so many campsites that you should be able to find something. However, as was mentioned before, start early. By the time you get to Boulder Bay or Tiger Bay anyone moving should be gone opening up a spot. Iron Lake can be made in a day, but you run the chance of passing up some good sites to get there, and finding all the site on Iron full. Last time I camped there we had a canoe come up to our site right at dark looking for a spot to camp, luckily there was another site open just around the point that we told them about and they were able to get it.

Good luck and Have fun!

I guess it was two years ago when I was there, but the water was very high on LLC and the Boulder River.

Bruce

We made it from EP16 to Boulder Bay in one day. Camped at 1820 on a small island and it was great. Our group had 8 people, 3 canoes with one canoe having a 68 year-old paddler and another with a 14 year old paddler.

We were read to be done but we made it. Made it out in a day too, that was upstream but we were motivated thanks to the 48-50 degree, windy June day.

That said, take it slow and enjoy the scenery on the rivers, it is great.

As for bugs, you'll have plenty of mosquitoes.

The area has a lot of sites but also a lot of people at times. (they go together a lot) Last May/June we made it from 16 to the N end of Agnes and ate a late lunch there. Not in a huge hurry so you could make it to Boulder/Tiger Bay by the end of Day 1 but then it's getting later in the day and you may be tight on campsite availability.

I'd shoot for north end of Agnes, if you feel good and/or sites are full then keep going.

You can make it all the way to Sunday Bay of Crooked Lake from EP16 on day one if you push. With 6 days, I'd consider two options. One, go up the Nina Moose to Agnes and then head west into Oyster, up through Ge-be etc, into Lac La Croix, down through Fish Stake Narrows and into Boulder bay and then back out Agnes. There are some great sites near the Lady Boot Bay area. Alternatively go up the river and then head east towards Iron and base camp there for a day or two, then either head back to 16 or work your way through Crooked and exit Ep23. You can't go wrong either way. But with 5 or 6 nights in the woods, Agnes is a very conservative destination, you have plenty of time to explore more territory.

As far as bugs go, expect they'll be terrible around dusk and pray they won't stick around long. Bring head nets and deet and you'll be ok.

If you are entering at Moose River North, I suggest staying at Boulder or Tiger Bay and chceking out the pictographs across from Irving Island. If you push past to Iron or Sunday Bay - you will make miles but might miss the best pictographs. So - balance sites and fishing vs. miles.

On your way out, don't count on camping in Nina Moose Lake.

Not because it isn't a nice lake, not because it has almost no campsites, not cause fishing is lousy.

Only because quite a few people decide to make that their last night so they only have about 2 hours out the next day, but get to the lake, no sites open and pretty much you either go back to find a site or you have to paddle back out (a day earlier than you were going to).

Hi all,

Also seeking advice for a (too) short trip coming up! We're entering at 16 for 2 nights only. How far could we expect to get and what are recommended campsites we could reach? Thanks!