I am taking 4 adults and 4 kids into the sawbill area. I am looking for a couple good site suggestions for us to base camp on, on the lakes Alton, Sawbill or Smoke. I have read the comments on the interactive map posted by hikers, but there are so few postings, that it's hard to guage how accurate the posts are unless there are several for one specific site. Here is the criteria that would maximize our trip experience. Especially for the younger kids.

* Need three good tent pad
* Easy to easy/moderate canoe landing. 7 of the 9 on this trip are first timers.
* Good fishing from shore (but not mandatory)

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
Darin

If you go to Alton head straight across the lake to site #844 or #845. Please be aware that Alton can be a dangerous lake in winds becuase of it's orientation. Another good site is at the very north end of the lake, #870. Being so close to an EP with 14 permits a day, these sites may be occupied.

Sawbill has a few good sites on the north end. I haven't yet made it to Smoke. Also consider EP #37 Kawishiwi.

Smoke Lake: The North Site (#919) behind the island or the West site (#921) off the bay heading to Burnt Lake are both campsites large enough to hold your group. They also provide decent fishing from shore. They both have access to the island which has some 6-10 ledges to jump into the water from(always fun for kids). The 919 site offers a sandy landing and probably easier for swimming, but the 921 site is rocky and has 2 canoe "stalls" you can pull into. Neither is really difficult to access. I have stayed at both. Both these provide access to Burnt lake for day trips to load up on Walleye. Fishing in Smoke is ok, but I prefer Burnt. Not a bad portage to get there. Easy day trip without full gear. If you want more details on fishing spots shoot me an email.

Thanks, very helpful advice! Will be fishing, but it's not main priority. We're going to try and incorporate a little bit of everything to keep the kids interest. All four kids are 10 years old. Probably fish one day, explore a day and see what's up for debate the 3rd day.

Thanks again!
Darin

On Sawbill I've used 3 different sites and I liked the island site in the northern part of the lake. Lots of room and trails for the kids to explore. On Smoke I stayed at the northern site behind the island with my then 7 yo daughter and really liked it. Lots of room for a big group and easy to spread out the tents if wanted. The site closest to the Burnt was occupied but looked very nice from the water.

Go over to Alton and paddle to the north end. There is a campsite that will handle at least 8 tents. It is the far north side next to the bay that leads to the river. It also has fishing next to the site. It has a fantastic sandy swimming beach too. You can walk out a block on sand and still touch. Great landing for you canoes.

Be advised the landing Sawbill to Smoke is rocky on Sawbill end and has a small pier at the Smoke Lake landing. Then you paddle a water path through a stand of reeds to the open lake. You don't want to step off the pier into water when loading/unloading canoe. ;-) Muck. The portage itself is easy going.
Heed the warning about Alton when wind kicks up. (typically in afternoons) A wind will change the paddling experience quickly.