How is the crowding in and around Brule Lake this year? I am going in late August with a group of seven, including two city people and two children ages 5 and 7. I'm hoping we can find a campsite that isn't too far away, but far enough the kids get to experience the BWCA.

I’ve always avoided Brule for this reason. It’s an entry lake that gets treated like a destination lake…because it has one of the easiest accesses it is popular so you cannot guarantee you will get a site on Brule be prepared to portage further or leave for a backup.

With that said…late August the popularity goes down. Kids are back in sports, some states have already started school you have a good chance at getting a site…just no guarantee as I stated earlier.

T

Entry lake FOR SOME, destination lake for others. All lakes can be destination lakes.

My son and I were there two weeks ago. We arrived at the entry point around 10:30, and three groups were coming back in from the lake. We headed east and passed one empty site, taking the second empty, which was Brule Island. The group putting in behind us got the next site to the east, around the point. We explored North Bay and Brule Bay in the next three days, and didn't find another unoccupied site. I'd say if you're there at the right time of morning you'll be able to find a site, especially if other groups are exiting.

Hit the water early... like 7:00am. Have a plan of which direction you're going to go, then have your maps marked for potential campsites to target. Utilize the maps section on this website as you do your research. Use this link for information about Brule and surrounding lakes.

Lastly, register with this website and participate in the discussion forums. There is a wealth of knowledge right here at your fingertips. Registration is free and painless, but what you get out of joining the site is a community of paddlers willing to share information about the BWCA. Your canoe tripping will be better as a result.

Jackfish: "Lastly, register with this website and participate in the discussion forums. There is a wealth of knowledge right here at your fingertips. Registration is free and painless, but what you get out of joining the site is a community of paddlers willing to share information about the BWCA. Your canoe tripping will be better as a result."

Well said, Jackfish. I joined a few years ago and have really appreciated the willingness of folks to share tips, perspectives, experiences, and intel. Count me among the grateful beneficiaries of the many members who actively share.

I'd be more concerned with being on Brule with young kids and a couple news. That is big water and the wind gets whipping fast.

I am going to offer a counter opinion over Jackfish…if you are basecamping on Brule you may want to follow a combo of Jackfish and Jesseo715…

Many people base camp on this lake…they don’t typically get out of their site at 7am…9-11 am is the most likely time people vacate their sites.

These aren’t seasoned paddlers eating up miles and portages…they are already at the entry/exit, they don’t need to be out by 7 am. Most likely they have a bunch of junk/luxuries most of us can’t comprehend so it takes a awhile to pack up. That’s my observations.

Maybe get there early but wait until you see groups approaching the landing, paddle towards them and see where they came from. You get out on the lake at 7 every site might look taken and no one’s up to ask if they are leaving.

Or get there early paddle around, if every site is taken, paddle around again and look for people packing up. I’ve had people ask me if I am leaving as I pack up that are desperate for a site and I never felt put out.

I’d still have a backup. Entry lakes are never a guarantee you will get a site. It’s a crapshoot.

T