Hi everyone -

I've been enjoying reading up on the wealth of information you all share here, this is a great resource!

One thing I'm specifically looking for is... where the heck do we start? We are experienced paddle-in campers and are looking into about a 5-day stay, base camping, in late August/early September. We'd prefer no mid-route portage (portage from parking to launch is fine), are capable of several miles (the more secluded the better), on a non-motorized body, ideal for hammocks, dogs allowed, with good fishing. Where should we start researching?

Extra points if you know of places with vault toilets, and/or if you know places with moving water/brooks/waterfalls. Thanks in advance!

One route to consider is putting in at Moose (motors allowed on this stretch) and paddling up through Newfound and Sucker into Birch (non-motorized) and base camping on Birch. There's a rapids flowing in on the far NE end and simple portages into Carp Lake if you'd like to see some new water. I've done well on walleyes in there. It would be a fun day trip up to Knife if you're down for that. It's not the most secluded place, but that will be hard to find without portages.

Look at all the EP's and decide what portage you can do. Look at the fish profile of the lake you want to go to. All campsites have vault toilets in the BWCA.

The toilets are molded fiberglass cones with seats perched over a hole dug in the ground. No vault underneath. No walls.

GickFirk22: "One route to consider is putting in at Moose (motors allowed on this stretch) and paddling up through Newfound and Sucker into Birch (non-motorized) and base camping on Birch. There's a rapids flowing in on the far NE end and simple portages into Carp Lake if you'd like to see some new water. I've done well on walleyes in there. It would be a fun day trip up to Knife if you're down for that. It's not the most secluded place, but that will be hard to find without portages. "

You can also get a tow on Moose Lake all the way to the Birch portage. It takes about 4 hours to get to Knife, with like 4 or 5 portages, none of them difficult. Longest one is like 75 rods I think, the final one into Knife. Quite a nice walk through the woods. The water on Knife is ultra clear and the fishing is excellent. There are no rivers or falls that I can think of along the way, other than the Carp falls/rapids, which I don't think is really worth fishing? Could be wrong.

There are many campsites on Knife as well so if you find one that isn't conducive to hammocking, you could check out a few others. I stayed on #1249 which had 2 decent hammock spots, maybe a third. Pretty large site, well used, and some trees and bushes have been abused sadly. But, decent site overall with a nice uphill hike with a lookout over Knife. Lots of options with a Knife base camp. Highly recommend going down to SAK and checking out Eddy Falls. Have heard of good fishing to be had there!

BWCAW is somewhat about portaging so solitude and no portages is not easy or possibly not possible. The Birch and Knife suggestions are good ones and if you had interest in Quetico, heading that way and the Q side of Carp - one very easy. wide, not long, well worn portage from Birch to Carp - you'd be close. Also after Labor Day in BWCAW would be better.

Besides Birch and Carp, Basswood is another one portage option - just at Prairie Portage - and I guess you could use the truck portage if you really didn't want to carry. The down side is Basswood is very big and subject to rough waters. The up side is very big, lots of paddle only/no-portage options, and a wide variety of sites. And very nice falls if you get to the western end - Basswood Falls. My son and I have made that on first night with a tow to PP, when I use to use tows. I don't any longer but age may force me to switch me back someday. I can't say fr sure but I'd guess you could find some sites in the bays off Basswood that have solitude - especially in September. But beware the potential for wind and whitecaps. (3 or 4 times down the length and never had a real problem myself.)

I don't know if the vault toilet question was answered completely but inspector13 described it well, and there is one at every campsite, and by the rules you must camp only at the campsites. Also a fire ring and grate.

This is all really valuable input, I can't thank you enough. Keep 'em comin!

No portaging equals big water for the most part or busy area. You could look at Seagull or Sag or Pine. The problem with no portaging and entry lakes is the campsites can be pretty beat up.

Do you like walleyes? Would you skip the portage to the landing to do one moderate portage from your entry lake and be on a secluded lake with excellent fishing?

Crocodile Lake would be a good spot, EP #66 for permit purposes but you actually put in at the landing from East Bearskin campground. Paddle 30-35 minutes to a 100 rod or so portage to crocodile and pick from one of 4 campsites. It is a dead end lake so most folks don't go there, usually not so busy. Walleye fishing is almost too easy. Not known for lunkers but lots of fish with 20 inch plus not uncommon. There are also pike there and good sized perch but that's about it. It's a very pretty lake and you won't see much traffic. There are explorative daytrips to be had if you want and there is a small falls between Crocodile Lake and East Bearskin, west of the portage. You can paddle down the Crocodile River to the east a ways and make your way up to the Veggie lakes if you are motivated. One caveat, if you go here you must camp all nights on Crocodile lake. Not a sacrifice, believe me.

I have gone a couple times, have had pretty good luck with walleye fishing, seen very few others, lots of wildlife and you are in camp within a few hours of launch. Not for everyone, many want to travel a lot but with your inclination to avoid portaging it might be perfect.

Trip report if you are interested:

Crocodile Lake trip

Feel free to email me with any questions

I’d think about Duncan lake... one easy portage from bearskin lake. There are people... but that’s a gimme with your main criteria. Your asking the people that spend thousands on lightweight gear to get in past all those pesky people. Haha. But that trip on the other end of Duncan is the infamous stairway portage... with some underrated falls... and the beautiful Rose lake on the other end bordering Canada.

Or what we call the numbered lakes beginning at Lake 1...

Welcome, I wondered where you could get paddle in experience without portages or crowded and over used campsites so checked your profile. New York, so where do you paddle up that way? You will be glad you have added the BWCA to your paddling places.
It seems in the BWCA there is enough, sometimes too much traffic where portages are not big or required. Can you think college keg party... Not many who will haul a keg or cooler over a portage, especially a difficult one. While there are some good paddle in with minimal portage places, some mentioned, most sites will be well used.
Another option is Ensign, just off Moose with a gravel driveway portage only a few feet long. You can get a tow to that portage from the base on Moose in the Ely area. It is a paddle through from Splash to Ensign.
And if you are coming out from New York will you be driving or flying in? Ely is canoe capital of the world and a place to visit for paddlers worth part of a day. The north shore drive up to the eastern areas is spectacular. You may want to consider these things in determining if you want to go in from Ely or one of the other major regions.

Longest drive to any entry in the park, unless you're coming from Canada, but head to the end of the Gunflint trail and get a tow across some of Saganaga to the west. Either head south toward Alpine or west along the border. Good fishing, tons of paddling, not as busy as other entries.

cyclones30: "Longest drive to any entry in the park, unless you're coming from Canada, but head to the end of the Gunflint trail and get a tow across some of Saganaga to the west. Either head south toward Alpine or west along the border. Good fishing, tons of paddling, not as busy as other entries. "

Thinking about it, another good place to go if driving up to Saganaga is Ottertrack. You can get a tow to American Point on Saganaga, which is a point 2/3 the distance from the entry to the first of two portages, and that will save you hours of paddling. It's ~6.5 miles from American Point to the first campsite on the US side, taking maybe3.5 hours or so? Ottertrack only has a few sites and I have heard of it being a great lake so it sees some traffic, but with a tow early in the morning, I'd say you stand a great chance of securing a great site for your stay. The fishing there is supposedly excellent, and you can portage into Ester for some more excellent fishing. I would also recommend going down into Hanson and then Cherry, but the Hanson-Cherry portage is reported to be one of the most difficult in the BWCA (haven't done it myself). Without big packs, on just a day fishing trip with some small backpacks with snacks and survival gear, you can single carry and take it slow. Cherry is known for massive cliffs and great fishing in the narrows. I loved it there and want to return some day for sure - I may do it via Ottertrack!

That whole region is worth portaging for, to get away from people - 12 rods for the first, and 79 for the second. The first will be a breeze, second is not that long and you can easily take a quick break if the canoe isn't carrying right or something.

lindylair: "Crocodile Lake trip "

Amazing photos. Thank you for sharing!!

Just another option...

One portage into Little Gabbro (EP 33) gets you access to Little Gabbro, Gabbro, and Bald Eagle without any more portaging...that's some big water, but lots of campsites and good fishing.

Gabbro is another good idea. If you don't mind a long portage in, but it is from your car as you wanted. It is about 250 rods but easy but for the length. That is a beautiful area with classic BWCA rock formations and outcroppings galore, good fishing and lots of nice campsites. But busy.

I suggested Crocodile before...still think that's a good idea too. I would pick Crocodile for seclusion/wildlife, Gabbro for scenery, and it is perhaps a toss up for fishing - catching might be a little easier on Crocodile but Gabbro has a little more variety(nice crappies). Couldn't go wrong with either.

Just a note about EP 66/ Crocodile. A great destination and fishing is excellent. You would have to apply for a permit for EP 66/Crocodile Lake (only) but are allowed to reach Croc Lake via the landing at EP 64/E. Bearskin Lake. A far easier, shorter route. (note: A permit for EP 64 Entry doesn't allow for overnight stays on EP 66/Crocodile Lake.)
25 mph motors are allowed on E. Bearskin except on far eastern end so you may hear 'em during daylight hours. Boaters respectful of canoers/ paddlers on that lake.

bhouse46: "Welcome, I wondered where you could get paddle in experience without portages or crowded and over used campsites so checked your profile. New York, so where do you paddle up that way? You will be glad you have added the BWCA to your paddling places.

We do a couple of trips to the Adirondacks every year (7-8 hour drive), usually a short one in mid summer when it's busy, then a week or so in September when we pretty much get the place to ourselves. The fishing is good, the hikes are great, the paddling is mostly on quiet waters, and the campsites are large with lots of trees. Not always a thunder box available...my favorite story is 2 years ago, a volunteer group came through our site mid-trip to install one. I was the very first person to use it!!! Anyway we're entering year 10 of paddle-in camping together so we've decided to start taking our big September trips to new-to-us places. Not that we'll ever tire of the ADK but there's so much out there to see!

Understood that we're looking at portage time, now we know! We hammock camp and are trying to get better at packing light but our Old Town Camper 16 always ends up very full and heavy. That's the reason I originally asked about few to no portages. Sounds like, though, this might be the year to thin out our gear. Or customize our exercising to be able to crush any portaging!

Finally, we will be driving. Undecided on whether we should enter from the north/Canada or south. It's around 17 hours, give or take, either way.

If you don't mind a long trip to your destination (assuming you live in the Adirondack region,) I might suggest you consider doing a paddle down the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas if you've never been (for a new-to-you spot.) It's my favorite place to paddle outside the BWCA, and there are NO portages. Also, you can camp anywhere along the river. There are landings every few miles with campgrounds and proper bathrooms (or at the least a port-o) if you don't want primitive camping near the banks of the river where venomous snakes may abound... we usually go for the primitive campsites, but stop at the landings for ...major... bathroom breaks. There are about 50 miles of paddling on the river in the national forest, but it goes further than that until it meets up with the White River further downstream. There are some challenging rapids up stream... but that section is only floatable in the spring rain season, or a couple days after a heavy rain in the summer.

No portages, and great fishing. But... it's a popular destination and can be crowded on the weekends.