Hey folks. New here and had never heard of the BWCA until a month ago. I’m going on my first trip in a month and I'm trying to plan a route and everything on sort of short notice. First off, I guess I picked the busiest time and I have no reservation for an entry point. I’ve talked with two outfitters and just not crazy about the routes they suggest.

My goal is tons of fishing and no people just like everyone else. I was just wondering if the backcountry sites are good outside the BWCA? Seems to be able to camp pretty much anywhere. Is there anything I’m missing? I’m still looking for a route and maybe find what I want outside the BW?

Thanks for any help or suggestions and I can’t wait to go. I’ve been in WI for seven years after I migrated from AL after 40 years. I’ve kayaked all over and been on lots of long trips. I’ve paddled the wilderness waterway quite a few times in south FL, but I feel like a greenhorn sorting thru all this BWCA and Superior National Forest information. Really looking forward to July 22! This whole website is just awesome with all the info!

Again, thanks a lot for any advice or suggestions.

Welcome Rock! Couple questions that will help narrow things down a bit: First and foremost, canoe or kayak? Kayaks are not particularly well suited to long BWCA trips with significant portaging. Do you want an actual travel route or are you content with just setting up camp at a spot and fishing? How many days/nights do you have?

Most of the routes outside the BWCAW are rather short, but here’s a start. There are also backcountry campsites on fishing lakes if you don’t mind staying put. Search the Forest Service website for more info.

I'm curious, what routes were suggested by the outfitters?

Backcountry sites are misleading. You cannot cut living vegetation so you can't clear a site. Also, fires have to be in an established fire ring. So you are limited to established sites. Realistically y oh can't just camp anywhere. There are a few traditional sites established campers years ago but most were made by the NFS.

As already stated, there are good routes outside the BW but they are short or on just one lake. They may or may not have motor boats or have crowds. Because these don't have can/bottle restrictions or group size restrictions there is the possibility of being party central.

I checked July 22 and I counted at least 13 available entry points that I'd want to use. Some of them are ones I've used before and some are ones on my bucket list.

What are you looking for in a route? What didn't you like about the outfitters route suggestions? Are you going to kayak? or canoe? Do you want to move everyday or set up a basecamp? How much portaging do you want to do? How long of a portage is your max? Let us know more about what you are looking for and I'm sure you'll get lots of help.


For almost all of my 20ish trips I've secured my permit less than a month in advance and have had many great trips. It's not too late for you to plan a good bwca trip.

I think your underestimating the size and diversity of the bwca. Even the busiest lakes offer privacy and seclusion. Avoid the 3 big holidays, don't camp near a portage and you will think your the last man on earth. National forest camping can be hit or miss ( I'am next to the Nicolet and speak from experience) There is no place like the bwca! It will be the best trip ever , promise!

I checked July 22 availability also and while many are full, there's still availability - some on the east side and some on the west and some sort of in-between. Were the two outfitters you talked too both serving the same area and where were they located? Outfitters in Ely don't serve the Sawbill/Gunflint Trail and vice-versa - too far away. Number of days is important - don't want to give you a long route for a 4-day trip. Personally, I'm not portage averse (portages are the way I leave people behind) and I prefer to travel most days, but if you want to basecamp without any longer/tougher portages, I don't want to send you in Missing Link or Angleworm.

Check out the Timber Frear option.

merlyn: "There is no place like the bwca!....."

Well, except Quetico is sorta like BWCA with less people.

h20: "Check out the Timber Frear option."

Check out my trip report on this, it is a good option for you