BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 17 2025
Entry Point 49 - Skipper & Portage Lakes
Skipper and Portage Lakes entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 28 miles. Access is a 320-rod portage from Poplar Lake or a 230-rod portage from Iron Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1865 feet
Latitude: 48.0517
Longitude: -90.5366
Skipper & Portage Lakes - 49
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1865 feet
Latitude: 48.0517
Longitude: -90.5366
Skipper & Portage Lakes - 49
Let Down
by Digger1979
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 24, 2016
Entry Point:
Brule Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Report
Well a group of 4 of us did our first trip. It wasn't the best experience. The reason being is we couldn't find a campsite. We got there Friday morning and pretty much paddled all day. Went from one side of the lake to the other. Every campsite we checked was taken. Could not believe it. We picked just camp at Brule Lake so we couldn't go any other place. We talked with another group who also could not find a spot. We found a group that let us camp there for the night. Come Saturday morning we paddled around and looked again but no luck. Not sure if we will ever go back as the fear of this happening again. Which sucks as the place is so beautiful. We ended up just heading back home Saturday after not finding a spot. Still can't believe we could not find an open camp. Not to sure what to think!! We picked that area as it was referred to us as its a big area with lots of campsites also since it was our first time going up there.
discuss this trip report (21 comments) - last post on August 20, 2016