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Colbrew
Guest Paddler
  
06/20/2018 03:12PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hello there,

My wife and I are planning on going to the bwca during the first week of July. We haven't purchased permits (I understand it is a crazy time around the 4th), we are looking for recommendations on where to go. What we are trying to achieve is being remote, good fishing and drive up camping as we will only be there for 3 nights. Looking at the Eastern portion of the bwca.. anyone have experience doing this or recommendations?

Last year a group of us went out from the kiwishiwi put in and spent 8 days portaging many lakes. Great trip for us guys , want something a little more low key for the time we have there.
 
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06/20/2018 03:15PM  
Crocodile
Guest Paddler
  
06/20/2018 05:01PM  
AmarilloJim: "Crocodile"


Isn't crocodile portage only?
06/20/2018 05:42PM  
I'm not clear on exactly what you are wanting to do. There is no drive-up camping in the BW; there are some campgrounds just outside the Boundary though. Staying at one of those does not require an overnight paddle permit, just the free day pass each day you go in. If you are not camping overnight in the BW, you would not need an overnight paddle permit. That's good because they are limited and most may already be reserved around the holiday. If you are wanting to camp in the BW, you will need an overnight paddle permit. There's no use in recommending entry points to you that do not have permits available for the day you would enter. You can check permit availability here and then get advice on available ones. There are some entry lakes where you can enter and camp in the BW without portaging if you don't want to portage.
06/20/2018 06:12PM  
I don't know what your entry date is or how much, if any, flexibility you have with that, but I did a quick check out of curiosity and there is more availability than I would have guessed, but some may go quickly. I used the 2-week range starting with 6/30 to check availability. Some are on lakes that you can drive to the launch and enter without a portage, and then camp on the lake, but only IF you can find an open campsite. The permit doesn't guarantee you a campsite there or anywhere for that matter. It will be crowded around the holiday, especially on entry lakes.

There is some availability most days or all days during that time period at Seagull, Saganaga, Brule, and Kawishiwi Lake, although some are totally reserved for certain dates, mostly the 4th, etc. There is the small 5-unit FS campground at Kawishiwi Lake, but plenty of permits are available for the entry. I don't know how many BW campsites there are on Kawishiwi Lake after you enter. If your Kawishiwi put in last year was Kawishiwi Lake rather than one on the Kawishiwi River, you'll be familiar with that.


Northwoodsman
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06/20/2018 06:47PM  
Sawbill is your best bet and it is one of the few that matches all of your criteria.
06/20/2018 06:54PM  
If you are looking for a campground where you can park your vehicle and camp with day trips into the BWCA then Sawbill would be a good choice. If permits at the campground there are available. There are other parks around the BWCA close to an entry. There are also some cabins and I have had some outfitters willing to let people camp on their property.
It is kinda short notice and a very busy time so getting reservations may be a major barrier. Good luck.
Guest Paddler
  
06/20/2018 09:11PM  
boonie: "I'm not clear on exactly what you are wanting to do. There is no drive-up camping in the BW; there are some campgrounds just outside the Boundary though. Staying at one of those does not require an overnight paddle permit, just the free day pass each day you go in. If you are not camping overnight in the BW, you would not need an overnight paddle permit. That's good because they are limited and most may already be reserved around the holiday. If you are wanting to camp in the BW, you will need an overnight paddle permit. There's no use in recommending entry points to you that do not have permits available for the day you would enter. You can check permit availability here and then get advice on available ones. There are some entry lakes where you can enter and camp in the BW without portaging if you don't want to portage. "


We are looking to enter and camp in the BW without portage. I have also researched some lakes that do have drive in on a first come first serve for free. I don't have a lot of hope of securing those sights. There are some places of interest off the gunflint. Just looking for recommendations. It would be my wife's first time in the bwca.
Guest Paddler
  
06/20/2018 09:15PM  
boonie: "I don't know what your entry date is or how much, if any, flexibility you have with that, but I did a quick check out of curiosity and there is more availability than I would have guessed, but some may go quickly. I used the 2-week range starting with 6/30 to check availability. Some are on lakes that you can drive to the launch and enter without a portage, and then camp on the lake, but only IF you can find an open campsite. The permit doesn't guarantee you a campsite there or anywhere for that matter. It will be crowded around the holiday, especially on entry lakes.


There is some availability most days or all days during that time period at Seagull, Saganaga, Brule, and Kawishiwi Lake, although some are totally reserved for certain dates, mostly the 4th, etc. There is the small 5-unit FS campground at Kawishiwi Lake, but plenty of permits are available for the entry. I don't know how many BW campsites there are on Kawishiwi Lake after you enter. If your Kawishiwi put in last year was Kawishiwi Lake rather than one on the Kawishiwi River, you'll be familiar with that.



"


Thanks for the information! Our entry date is the 3rd and we did put in at kiwishiwi lake last year.
06/20/2018 09:35PM  
You know Kawishiwi Lake then and have some idea what it's like. One advantage is it's not too big and less likely to have wind problems than the others, but there's only so far you can go on day trips (I assume you're willing to portage the canoe and a day pack).

Brule is bigger and notorious for wind issues, Seagull even bigger, Saganaga the biggest. But more options. If you're only going to camp on Brule, Seagull, Saganaga if you enter there, they each have a permit for only camping on that entry lake in case you weren't aware of that and that's the one you should get.

I've entered at Kawishiwi Lake 3X and don't recall ever seeing anyone camped there besides at the FS campground, but those trips have all been in Sept. I think most people head up to Polly or beyond to Malberg.

Those entries aren't fully reserved for the 3 days before your entry, which is a good thing for campsite availability if that doesn't change between now and then.

hope you have a good trip wherever you go.
analyzer
distinguished member(2162)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/21/2018 12:03AM  
I think you should consider Crescent lake. It is not in the boundary waters canoe area, but rather right across the street. It is car camping, but many of the sites are right on the water, much like the boundary waters. It's a decent walleye, bass, and musky lake. You're 15 minutes from Sawbill, and not far from Brule, so you could easily day trip in the boundary waters from there. There are no houses on Crescent, it feels like you are in the boundary waters, outside of the fact that your car is right there. I highly recommend it for a 3 day trip.

We'll be there the 8th thru the 11th of July. About half the sites are reservable, and are pretty picked over for the 4th of July. But half the sites, are walk up, and may still be available, depending on when you arrive.


BuckFlicks
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06/21/2018 12:44PM  
Northwoodsman: "Sawbill is your best bet and it is one of the few that matches all of your criteria."


This was going to be my suggestion as well.
06/21/2018 02:53PM  
Good Advice has been given....... a couple of more to consider that are open July 3. Clearwater Lake EP 62 is a beautiful lake but allows motors. John Lake EP 69..... it does have one short 16rod portage to get there, but I've read it can often be skipped and you can just paddle through when the water is high. Put in at McFarland, paddle Little John to John... it's less than a mile from the put in to the 1st 2 campsites. Of all the options given I think this would give you the most solitude if that's something you are looking for. If it was me and you're not worried about solitude I'd go with Sawbill. And only 2 of 14 permits are pulled for July 3 as of now.
Guest Paddler
  
06/21/2018 04:18PM  
analyzer: "I think you should consider Crescent lake. It is not in the boundary waters canoe area, but rather right across the street. It is car camping, but many of the sites are right on the water, much like the boundary waters. It's a decent walleye, bass, and musky lake. You're 15 minutes from Sawbill, and not far from Brule, so you could easily day trip in the boundary waters from there. There are no houses on Crescent, it feels like you are in the boundary waters, outside of the fact that your car is right there. I highly recommend it for a 3 day trip.


We'll be there the 8th thru the 11th of July. About half the sites are reservable, and are pretty picked over for the 4th of July. But half the sites, are walk up, and may still be available, depending on when you arrive.



"


I liked what I saw at crescent, by the time I went to book today they were all gone. Ended up booking a site at iron lake. Gives us some options to take day trips into the bwca. Hopefully the fishing is good there! Looks like a small semi rustic campsite. We shall see what the wife thinks. Next year is quetico!
06/21/2018 04:56PM  
Yes, Iron is very small and rustic. I haven't camped there but have stopped by many times. I've never seen it full even w/ only 6 sites. But it was hit hard by the Ham Lake Fire 11 years ago. If I remember correctly from last year the new trees are over 10ft tall now but not much for mature trees supplying significant shade. Make sure you have a tarp. You could daytrip down to Rush Lake in the BWCA from there which is a good smallie lake. No walleye there if that's what you are looking for.
Grandma L
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06/21/2018 04:58PM  
I would suggest you find the date you intend to go in - then go to the permit site and see what is open that fits your criteria. Several things open for July 2, Monday-both out of Ely and G.M.. You just have to decide your priorities, if you want travel or base camp trip and how hard you want to work.
06/21/2018 08:32PM  
Hope you and your wife enjoy it.
 
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