I am thinking of a day trip on Sawbill (rent a canoe from the outfitter there and do the Kelso Loop) and - hoping it goes great! - heading up the Gunflint Trail the next day to try out another day trip. Suggestions for where to rent a canoe for the day or where to go? Inexperienced so all ideas welcome. Thanks - this is a great message board.

Mo... glad you're finding the folks here, along with the information shared, so helpful. It's a fun group of paddlers.

As for an outfitter on the Gunflint, I would suggest looking at the top of this very page and clicking on "Outfitters". You'll get a list of sponsoring outfitters for BWCA.com. They're an excellent group, any one of which will be able to help you. Tell them where you got their contact information. They'll be pleased to hear it.

Good luck!

Will outfitters rent for a day or partial day? I don't see any day trips listed with the outfitters on their websites. Should I just contact them about this?
I also now understand I need to be at an outfitter where I can just put the canoe in the water and not transport it.
Thanks again for your hep.

I'm guessing that most outfitters would be happy to rent a canoe for a day but definitely call ahead.

It is also possible to transport a canoe on your car and the outfitters can generally provide foam blocks, straps, and rope to secure it. On the other hand, just putting in at the outfitter makes life that much easier.

Mo I would call and get everything figured out. I am sure Sawbill does day rentals. As far as rentals go in Gunflint I am unsure of any places but like Jackfish said just check the Outfitter area of this site.

Try Seagull outfitters at the end of the Gunfllint..they'll rent a canoe for one day, and you put in at Seagull Lake right from their dock.

Sawbill does half-day canoe rentals and on up. More cost efficient if you rent for the whole day beings you want to paddle to Kelso. They'll show you how to load the canoe on your shoulder in a safe manner. The put-in is only a short walk so most folks walk from the store to the landing with a canoe cap. A nice tiered landing with a pier and room to maneuver. Large parking lot adjacent to the storefront.

Given availability, any of the outfitters would do a half or full day rental.

Up the Gunflint, you have lots of options that could all recommend excellent day trips...Clearwater, Hungry Jack, Tuscarora, Rockwoods, Seagull, (among others).

Check out those outfitter's websites, and look around on the online maps here on this site to see if anything jumps out at you, then call ahead to reserve what you need.