Hi all,

Going to Seagull Lake mid May. We won't get up there until evening, and will put in in the morning. I'm wondering if it's allowed to camp at the entry point (54) for the night? We are hoping to avoid needing a bunkhouse or cabin.

I expect to paddle over to the west side and do some fishing, especially for lake trout and walleye. Any general advice for this would be welcome too!

Thanks!

Get a campsite at Trails End campgrounds two miles to the north of the Sea Gull EP water access.

Trails End has an EP54 landing also, right across from the large parking lot for Way of the Wilderness, paybox permits and all.

butthead

Depending on the vehicle and number of people, you might be able to sleep in the car. Putting seats down and/or laying out on the back seat, possibly with a pad, could work out really well. People have been known to sleep in the bed of their pickup too, just put the canoe(s) on the ground and the gear in the cab and sleep in the bed as if it were in a tent.

Campsites work great if they are free and available. If the cost is not an issue then why not? If you were at some EP without a campsite and you were to show up after dark then leave at dawn, then I don't think there would be an issue with setting up a tent right next to your vehicle. One of those things where there don't seem to be alternatives, and it wouldn't affect anyone else, so why not. Might be frowned upon but if you get there after dark and are loading up to leave at dawn then who would even know? Its not like you would have a fire, just sleeping. This does not seem to be the case in your situation though, a campground right there says its not the middle of nowhere so you would have to follow some sort of rules.

quote A1t2o: "Depending on the vehicle and number of people, you might be able to sleep in the car. Putting seats down and/or laying out on the back seat, possibly with a pad, could work out really well.

I do this whenever possible. Easy take-off in the morning. No wet tent to wait to dry out or get mildewed while you are out. Quiet too, and no mosquitoes. Just put your clothes on in the morning, have a quick breakfast, floss & gloss, and you are good to go to the entry point. I've slept in the back of my old Volvo XC-70 station wagon. Now, I use my Toyota Highlander.

Whenever I look for a new vehicle, I always take a tape measure with me, which confuses the heck out of the car salesman. When I tell them it is because I usually sleep in it for awhile, they must think I am temporarily homeless. I also check to see what the cargo area is like in terms of flatness, humps and bumps when the seats are folded.

Tomster

quote A1t2o: "Depending on the vehicle and number of people, you might be able to sleep in the car. Putting seats down and/or laying out on the back seat, possibly with a pad, could work out really well.

I do this whenever possible. Easy take-off in the morning. No wet tent to wait to dry out or get mildewed while you are out. Quiet too, and no mosquitoes. Just put your clothes on in the morning, have a quick breakfast, floss & gloss, and you are good to go to the entry point. I've slept in the back of my old Volvo XC-70 station wagon. Now, I use my Toyota Highlander.

Whenever I look for a new vehicle, I always take a tape measure with me, which confuses the heck out of the car salesman. When I tell them it is because I usually sleep in it for awhile, they must think I am temporarily homeless. I also check to see what the cargo area is like in terms of flatness, humps and bumps when the seats are folded.

Tomster

quote vanW: "Hi all,

Going to Seagull Lake mid May. We won't get up there until evening, and will put in in the morning. I'm wondering if it's allowed to camp at the entry point (54) for the night? We are hoping to avoid needing a bunkhouse or cabin.

I expect to paddle over to the west side and do some fishing, especially for lake trout and walleye. Any general advice for this would be welcome too!

Thanks!"

You won't be far at all from Jasper-Alpine Falls and the bay immediately to the north of it. That time of year that spot should be really productive for all species - pike, smallies, walleye.

If I was to do a Seagull Lake basecamp I'd stick to the north side of the lake for scenery, day trip to the Palisades, etc. since that part didn't get burned out in the fires like the south and west end of Seagull did. I hear there's fish up there too. You'll be within day trip reach of Alpine Falls from there assuming the wind is in your favor, it can be a bear on Seagull sometimes. Think morning paddling, or sticking to shorelines during wind events.

Seagull Outfitters is right on Seagull Lake and the bunkhouse is only $25 a night.

quote plexmidwest: "Seagull Outfitters is right on Seagull Lake and the bunkhouse is only $25 a night."

+1 !!!

And if you book it ahead of time, they will "leave the light on for you" if you arrive after the store closes. Your bunk # will be assigned and listed on the front door of the store. Then, you can use their parking lots and their dock for departing on your trip. Bathroom and showers their as well.

Camping at Entry Points parking lots isn't allowed, but you can sleep in your car.

quote plexmidwest: "Seagull Outfitters is right on Seagull Lake and the bunkhouse is only $25 a night."

Very friendly staff and you can get a hot shower when you exit.

FOFO

our groups have used them the last 3 years. They are the best on the Gunflint. They assign the rooms (we come in around 8 PM) and leave the lights on. Towels are waiting on us. We get a hot shower before pushing off in the morning from their docks. Upon returning, another hot shower and night in the bunkhouse. They have taken great care of us and everything is always clean.

Seagull Outfitters is right on Seagull Lake and the bunkhouse is only $25 a night.

+1 on that idea. We've used Seagull Outfitters the last few years, top notch. I would also suggest using the bunkhouse, which will sleep 8. Just double up on the mattress pads which are a little thin.