Hello campers,

Any suggestions for a good EP/route for large groups? It's been a while since I've been with a group that size, if ever.

Perhaps some lakes with a few big sites to allow for 4-5 tents?

Or do you bring 1-2 large group tents in this scenario?

Thank you for your help!

Most entry points can be used for your purpose if you are willing to travel most of the first day. Somewhere you should find a good location for you, Looking for your larger site may result in several missed 4 or 5 star camps if they are already taken. The higher the star, the larger and more open the campsite tends to be. With that said, you can research this site pertaining most of the BWCA campsites and the ratings given by fellow campers. You can then target the lakes you think will give you the best options for your group. Yes it takes time, but the search you do will result in a more rewarding trip since you have sweat equity time spent in the route determination.

Given the choice, I would opt for taking more tents. My preference is one tent for each camper and the use of a large site. More privacy and personal space. We use 4 man tents for each. In the event a site is used that is smaller, then you can double up or 3 in a real tight spot.

Happy camping.

So are you thinking east of west side? fishing? travel trip? base camp?

quote bwcadan: "Happy camping."

Thanks for your input bwcadan. I will do more research on the site stars.

quote Grandma L: "So are you thinking east of west side? fishing? travel trip? base camp? "

Ely side is preferable. Fishing for sure. I was looking at EP23 Mudro>Gun, so not too much moving but not exactly base camping.

Thanks for your reply Grandma L!

Camp #1106 on Fourtown can EASILY accommodate your group. Tons of level tent pads for your choosing. Plus there is a little rapids right off your campsite - so it provides awesome white noise at night.

You ARE right on a portage path - so if that is annoying to you - you may want to look elsewhere, but we loved it, and so far this is my favorite site n the BWCA.

#1106 Campsite on Fourtown (EP 23 - Mudro)

Leaving from Mudro as you mentioned, you could easily make it to Fairy Lake in 5-6 hours or so. The eastern site on Fairy would be a great spot for a large group such as yours. Fairy is a really cool little lake, pretty and with decent fishing. One other site on the lake but I would be surprised if they are both taken very often. I loved fairy, felt a mystical quality about it and vow to return. I think there is a good chance you could have this beautiful lake to yourselves!

Here's a couple excerpts from reviews of the site:

Excellent view to the west from the fire grate area, great landing, flat spots for more tents than any group should ever bring to the BWCA, and great blueberry patches. Idyllic. Cannot speak for fishing, though.


Site is a two level set up with room for up to 7 tents with plenty of space between.


Great site, multi-level, room for five tents. One very nice blueberry patch!

What a great site! The best I've seen in the BWCA. We had 3 guys, 2 w/ hammocks so I can't speak for tent spots but a great area, beautiful view. The firegrate and seating was in great condition. Quiet for an otherwise busy area.



End quotes.


With 9 people I might recommend bringing a couple 4 man tents and a couple 1 or 2 man tents for those who prefer privacy. Even in sites with only a couple obvious tent sites you can usually find a makeshift site for a 1 or 2 man tent if you need to. A good sleeping pad will make up for a less than perfect tent spot.

There is another site on fairy which is also a decent site but not as many tent pads, but still an option if the main Fairy site was taken. We brought 3 tents on our trip, stayed on Boot and Gun and did not have any problem finding sites that would accommodate us.

If you haven't tripped with that many people before, know that things will go a lot slower than you anticipate, simply because of the amount of gear that you have to portage and even more so if there are young kids or most of the group is newbies. I also recommend at least 3 people to a 4 man tent, but even that is a bit tight. Grandpa and I bring a big 5 man tent just for the 2 of us! - but that is a thought, if you brought 2 of those you might open up your options as far as tent pads go.

As far as a route goes - we did Saganaga to Seagull in 5 long days with 9 people and 4 canoes. Great route, but not a good idea with that much gear for the time we spent. More than 5 days would be perfect for that route. Lots of campsite room on these bigger lakes.

Thanks SaganagaJoe

quote lindylair: "Leaving from Mudro as you mentioned, you could easily make it to Fairy Lake in 5-6 hours or so. The eastern site on Fairy would be a great spot for a large group such as yours. Fairy is a really cool little lake, pretty and with decent fishing. One other site on the lake but I would be surprised if they are both taken very often. I loved fairy, felt a mystical quality about it and vow to return. I think there is a good chance you could have this beautiful lake to yourselves!
"

Thanks Lindylair! Sounds like that route is great. It was only my first idea for this year but I might jump on it. Never been there and sounds like a great area. I like the smaller lakes myself.

Yeah, I think you will like it a lot. The lakes around Fairy are great too, Boot, Gun, Gull and up to Thunder and Beartrap. Now the trick will be to get a permit for the Mudro entry on a day you can go in - one of the hardest permits to get for the BWCA.

quote lindylair: "Yeah, I think you will like it a lot. The lakes around Fairy are great too, Boot, Gun, Gull and up to Thunder and Beartrap. Now the trick will be to get a permit for the Mudro entry on a day you can go in - one of the hardest permits to get for the BWCA."

You are right about the permits - I was just checking and there are only a very few left in June. Better get going on the permit or the route will be irrelevant. BWCA permit site

quote Grandma L: "

quote lindylair: "Yeah, I think you will like it a lot. The lakes around Fairy are great too, Boot, Gun, Gull and up to Thunder and Beartrap. Now the trick will be to get a permit for the Mudro entry on a day you can go in - one of the hardest permits to get for the BWCA."

You are right about the permits - I was just checking and there are only a very few left in June. Better get going on the permit or the route will be irrelevant. BWCA permit site "

We're planning on August but am trying to get the green light from the group ASAP. Thanks again for all your help!

Money talks, BS walks. Get a yes with a deposit (non-refundable). Even $50.00 will create a commitment which will likely be honored. August is far enough out that other things will come up. If you can get a better deposit, go for it.

Going into lake 1,2,3 is a quick easy start for big groups that does not need portaging, Most likely will take 2 campsites for most lakes.

quote wenonahII: "Going into lake 1,2,3 is a quick easy start for big groups that does not need portaging, Most likely will take 2 campsites for most lakes."

Thanks wenonahII, it's been a while since I did Lake 1. That's a good one for a big group.

quote deadriver: "

quote wenonahII: "Going into lake 1,2,3 is a quick easy start for big groups that does not need portaging, Most likely will take 2 campsites for most lakes."

Thanks wenonahII, it's been a while since I did Lake 1. That's a good one for a big group. "

I agree with the numbered lakes as the EP. Easy paddling, very few portages, tons of campsites. I would go up into Insula and try to grab the Williamson Island site or one of the ones with a beach. Lots of sites in that area that can accommodate a big group.