Last year I went in at Clearwater Lake (EP62). I ended up on the lone campsite on Little Caribou. The greatest site I have been on. My boys loved that site for so many reasons. Huge site off the water with great fishing, hiking, resident pet snapping turtle to talk with, a pine martin that visited the site a few times, and an easy boat launch, but the best part that they still talk about was the day trips each day to Johnson Falls. I do not think I can get my boys back to the BW this year without a trip to a falls. It was also the cleanest we have ever been as we swam in the bottom of the falls each day!!! Here's to not smelling like B.O. and smoke!!!

What is a good lake to target that has a good waterfall nearby. I will be heading up in early July.

There are several places where there are nice waterfalls to view in the BW. However, to find a spot where there is a safe swimming hole like there is at Johnson Falls is much more rare. Because of the strong currents and eddies associated with most waterfalls, I urge caution as you search for another spot.

Ogishkemuncie Lake has several nice campsites within easy day trips of 2 waterfalls.

Eddy Falls is to the northwest between Eddy Lake and South Arm of Knife. It is a long steep falls that has several paths to it from the portage path down the hill. I have a couple of photos that show a spot to enjoy a shower or (perhaps?) a pool for a swim.







Mueller Falls is to the southeast of Ogishkemuncie Lake. Along the portage from Mueller Lake to Agamok Lake you will cross the Kekakabic Trail. Turn east and walk about 1/4 mile along the Kek Trail to the bridge crossing the river. The falls are both upstream and downstream from the bridge. In fact there is an old portage trail that runs much closer to the river. There are several pools between falls along this stretch. A short search of this website will bring you photos of those falls. (I have been there, but my photos are not readily available.)

Those are the most likely falls that I know that you might find swimming holes. I hope others can give a couple other options.

I have seen folks in the water between Duncan Lake and Rose lake. Swimming not so much.

Yeah...I saw waterfalls and was thinking Basswood/Wheelbarrow since that's a set of 3 all within a day trip of each other. But I'm not sure I'd call of any of them really swimming friendly. I'm sure somewhere in the upper falls pools you could find a safe spot but nothing like the Johnson falls bath tub w/ water falling on you.

Same with Curtain Falls....probably my favorite but because of its size. Also not very swimming friendly from what I recall. (but a sight to behold)

So, I'd agree with Eddy being an option.

Cattyman Falls is awesome and you could probably bathe but not swim around, from what I remember. Recommended lakes to stay on nearby would be Ensign, Jordan, or Ima.

I am not crazy enough to do this, but last year there were some larger groups of college kids ledge jumping into Johnson Falls. A different group each day.
It was kinda nutty. I kept thinking where would they land the helicopter to medivac the one that had his foot slip and did not go into the water in the right place. It reminded me of the joke - What does a hillbilly say right before he dies, "Hey ya'll, watch this!!"

Once you got past the cold, it really was the most refreshing bath every. We were there the first days BW opened last summer and there was still ice on the walls around the waterfall.

With all of the technology and so forth I love seeing my boys excited about going back into the BW each year. To build on their excitement I might do Ensign and head to Cattyman, or go in EP 64 and stay at Alder or Canoe lake and go north back to Johnson Falls.

I forgot about Cattyman. There is not a pool but you can sit below it.

Put in on Gunflint Lake, paddle into Magnetic, then up the Pine River. Lots of pretty rapids and falls going up toward the Clove Lake and the Granite River.

Mike

cyclones30: "Yeah...I saw waterfalls and was thinking Basswood/Wheelbarrow since that's a set of 3 all within a day trip of each other. But I'm not sure I'd call of any of them really swimming friendly. I'm sure somewhere in the upper falls pools you could find a safe spot but nothing like the Johnson falls bath tub w/ water falling on you.


Same with Curtain Falls....probably my favorite but because of its size. Also not very swimming friendly from what I recall. (but a sight to behold)


So, I'd agree with Eddy being an option. "

Have to be very careful in the Basswood Falls area! Several years ago, all in one "outfitting type" season, 3 different outfitters had people drown there.

bwcadan: "I have seen folks in the water between Duncan Lake and Rose lake. Swimming not so much."

Yep, Rose Falls is good to sit and get a water massage, but the pool is much too small to swim.