I will begin doing my research but am reaching out for some suggestions or direction on where I might go with this. I will follow up on all ideas.

One of our "regulars" has chronic shoulder problems. He's indicated maybe not going anymore due to the heavy lifting/portaging issue. I'd sure like to include him because I know how much he loves these trips. We also have two youngsters that may come along for their first camping trip.

My canoe partner and I were talking today and got to wondering if there are any "outside the park" campsites along the Gunflint Trail where we could over-night and then take day trips? We think this could eliminate the heavy load/ portaging issue and make it easier to get the two youngsters started.

Any suggestions on campgrounds and possible day trips? I would guess we'd do a 5-6 day visit.

A few options -

Camp at Flour Lake. Easy access towards Moon/Caribou etc. Depending , they even have camper cabins if your peeps don't want to tent it.

or there is a campground at the end of the Gunflint. Could spend time exploring Sea Gull lake or Saganaga etc.

Trails end campground offers direct access to Sea Gull Lake & Gull Lake. There are clear fire scars throughout the campground but, there are still plenty of sites that provide a sheltered woodsy feel.


East Bearskin Lake campground very similar to the aforementioned Flour Lake campground, offering a nice mid-trail locale and even cabins. (if that floats your boat?) No fire damage.


Iron Lake campground You'll be all but assured that this will offer a quieter setting the the other sites but, Iron lake & the campground were hit by the Ham Lake fire so there aren't alot of mature trees around.

Kawishiwi lake has a small campground as well as numerous campsites on the lake requiring no portages. Sawbill lake offers the same opportunities.

French lake has a campground in Quetico. Beaverhouse lake has one easy portage and while it can be windy, there are some protected areas. Another easy portage will put you on Quetico lake.

Clearwater Lake is another option. Put in and canoe towards the eastern end of the lake where there are several nice campsites, some with a great view of the Palisades. Very pretty lake, good smallmouth fishing and lake trout too.

quote bapabear: "I will begin doing my research but am reaching out for some suggestions or direction on where I might go with this.

"

Got an outside the box idea for you. Rent a houseboat in Voyageurs National Park

I went for the first time last year during the 4th of July Weekend. Me and 6 of my friends. I thought I was going to hate it because of all the people, especially on that weekend, and because there was no "work" involved with finding a campsite.

Boy was I mistaken. We traveled for 4 hours from the dock, headed north and found a nice little cove. We ended up staying at that campsite for 3 nights and didn't see a soul come through. Loons, eagles, pine trees, everything about the BWCA was there without any effort. If you really need to sleep in a tent, the campsites are spacious enough. There is a fire grate at every one of them.

Great thing is that the houseboats all have grills, so good food can be had every night. They give you a 40HP boat so can tool around without having to move the houseboat. Some of the boats come with a hottub.

You might think about a tow up Moose Lake to Birch and not need to do any portages but can still have pretty good fishing and be in the BWCA.

Some good suggestions/ideas. Thanks for your help.

quote bapabear: "I will begin doing my research but am reaching out for some suggestions or direction on where I might go with this. I will follow up on all ideas.

One of our "regulars" has chronic shoulder problems. He's indicated maybe not going anymore due to the heavy lifting/portaging issue. I'd sure like to include him because I know how much he loves these trips. We also have two youngsters that may come along for their first camping trip.

My canoe partner and I were talking today and got to wondering if there are any "outside the park" campsites along the Gunflint Trail where we could over-night and then take day trips? We think this could eliminate the heavy load/ portaging issue and make it easier to get the two youngsters started.

Any suggestions on campgrounds and possible day trips? I would guess we'd do a 5-6 day visit.

"

Not off the Gunflint but in between the Gunflint and Sawbill Trail. Camping on the island on Crescent Lake can be fun. Easy to get to and some day trip opportunities in that area and actually from Crescent lake itself.