BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 29 2025
Entry Point 9 - Little Indian Sioux River South
Little Indian Sioux River (south) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 44 miles. Heading South from the Echo Trail. Difficult route. Four portages to Bootleg Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 1 permit every other day
Elevation: 1362 feet
Latitude: 48.1420
Longitude: -92.2079
Little Indian Sioux River South - 9
Number of Permits per Day: 1 permit every other day
Elevation: 1362 feet
Latitude: 48.1420
Longitude: -92.2079
Little Indian Sioux River South - 9
Memorial Day Weekend Kayak Trip
by Gman42
Trip Report
Entry Date:
May 22, 2020
Entry Point:
Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake)
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
1
Trip Introduction:
There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on here about taking a multi-day trip with a kayak. I'd love to share my experience in the Crane Lake / Little Vermilion Lake area.
Day 1 of 3
Friday, May 22, 2020 
I drove overnight so I would arrive at the EP early AM. This is Crane Lake. This spot actually serves as a BWCA entry point, and an entry to Voyageurs National Park. 
This is my campsite the first night on Little Vermilion Lake. It's campsite #1978 on the GIS mapping. This is an awesome site with tons of flat, grassy tent pads, and a sandy beach. 10/10.
I drove overnight so I would arrive at the EP early AM. This is Crane Lake. This spot actually serves as a BWCA entry point, and an entry to Voyageurs National Park. This is my campsite the first night on Little Vermilion Lake. It's campsite #1978 on the GIS mapping. This is an awesome site with tons of flat, grassy tent pads, and a sandy beach. 10/10.
Day 2 of 3
Saturday, May 23, 2020 
On Day 2 I continued to paddle the Loon River to Loon Falls portage. 
Loon Falls Portage is a fascinating setup. If you've been trying to convince someone to go the B-dubs, but they're hesitant because of the portages, this is the spot you should take them. Cost is $25 each way, make sure to have cash. You don't have to use the service, but if you're kayaking, this is the only way to get it done. I forgot to ask if they'll allow two watercraft at a time. 
This is my campsite the 2nd night. Loon Lake has tons of sites and few campers. I loved this site too. It's campsite #32 on the GIS mapping.
On Day 2 I continued to paddle the Loon River to Loon Falls portage. Loon Falls Portage is a fascinating setup. If you've been trying to convince someone to go the B-dubs, but they're hesitant because of the portages, this is the spot you should take them. Cost is $25 each way, make sure to have cash. You don't have to use the service, but if you're kayaking, this is the only way to get it done. I forgot to ask if they'll allow two watercraft at a time. This is my campsite the 2nd night. Loon Lake has tons of sites and few campers. I loved this site too. It's campsite #32 on the GIS mapping.
Day 3 of 3
Sunday, May 24, 2020 
Time to head back the direction I came. My 
Campsite on Little Vermilion Lake. This was another great site. Campsite #1975 on the GIS mapping.
Time to head back the direction I came. My Campsite on Little Vermilion Lake. This was another great site. Campsite #1975 on the GIS mapping. Overall, this was a great trip. The weather was better than expected and I look forward to doing a similar trip in the future. If you've always wanted to take a kayak to the Boundary Waters, this is a route that works since there's no portaging. My only concern once I was out there was not having the flexibility to portage if I decided I need to. In the end, I was able to get the sites I wanted so there were no problems, but it was on my mind the whole time.
discuss this trip report (0 comments) - last post on November 10, 2020