Does one have to start a canoe trip to Voyageurs through a certain spot or can one start on Crane Lake, for camping on Sand Point?

What about motor boats in this area...are they bad?

It can be a rough ride in those big waters. We've even had times in the big Lund boat that were a little hairy when the wind is up. Motor traffic is a factor for canoes, too, especially if you meet in King Williams Narrows or Harrison Narrows. In all my motor trips up there, I can't say that I've ever seen any canoes taking the trip all the way up from Crane to Sand Point.

Have done it several times in a canoe. Always on our way to or from Loon River (which we also canoed, although it seems most people take a tow.) It can be a bit tricky if the wind is a factor, we had a really rough time on Sand Point Lake one time. Power boats can be very troublesome, but we handled it OK every time. We did stop once at the Voyageurs Campground on the point as you enter Crane Lake and camped there once. It was fun.

Was there in August 2013 on a Voyagaire houseboat. Saw a few canoes that looked like they were tripping all the way up Namakan north of the inlet to go to Kabetogama.

I agree with schweady that the pinch in King Williams Narrows can be kind of tight.

I'm pretty sure you can put in on Kabetogama if you'd rather, or come up through LLC. Doesn't matter. I don't think you need a permit or anything like that.

Lots of folks have cabins in and around the area so expect a lot of motor traffic. One day was very windy, and my brother's waterski boat even was having some trouble in the waves.

Here are the narrows. GORGEOUS.

quote MNLindsey80: "


I'm pretty sure you can put in on Kabetogama if you'd rather, or come up through LLC. Doesn't matter. I don't think you need a permit or anything like that.

"

One thing to keep in mind is two years ago the situation in VNP changed drastically when it comes to campsites. It's almost totally reserved campsites now, not sure on the backcountry stuff but the main lake ones all require a reservation. Have to be off the site by noon on your depart day and you don't get official use rights till 3pm on your check-in day.

It is a great area, I prefer taking my motor boat up there but the camping is top notch, bear lockers at every site.

The change has made my idea of a Grand Portage to Lake of the Woods trip harder. Hard to plan that precisely that far out.

It was terribly disappointing when VNP started requiring reservations and fees. It is all BW for me now. I used to like it.