Taking ten year old niece and nephew for their first BWCA trip. We're planning on staying at one site, but taking day trips to see some sights. Does anyone have a suggestion of a certain area? Thinking in the Horse River/Lake area as of now. Let me know what you've done.

I've been to the BWCA a few times and know the Horse Lake area is pretty accessible from the Mudro entry without too much difficulty.

Thanks.
Kyle

Yes, but that is one of the hardest permits to get if you've got a strict day you need to reserve it for.

Tons of options. Do you need to keep it in the Ely area? What kind of sights? Assuming you meant the waterfalls if you planned on doing the horse river. There are falls just as easy or easier to access off the Gunflint trail if that's what you're after. And just about every entry point is less busy as far as percentage of permits taken per day or week or month

Haven't explored much else... yet Want to avoid the really large lakes that might overwhelm young paddlers. My explored range is from fall lake up to table rock/Thursday bay, basswood to angleworm, and pretty much everything in that circle. So if you have suggestions outside that, I'm all for it. Please bring on the suggestions!!

Couple options;

Put in at east Bearskin. Camp on Alder or Canoe Lake. Johnson falls is a good day trip.

Get a tow up Moose Lake, paddle into Knife. Knife lake has Dorthy Molter's island, whish has a really cool rock, thunder point to climb and a falls on the south arm.

Try these:

Entry 47 - Lizz Lake - Go to Horseshoe Lake or Gaskin Lake. Lots of nice campsite. There is a good chance to see moose here. Day trip to Vista Lake for the scenery. Day trip to Winchell Lake to find the waterfall on the south shore or to climb the paths to the top of the cliffs. Day trip up through Ogema and Henson Lakes. Only winds from the west can bring harsh paddling conditions on the long narrow lakes here.

Entry 39 - Baker Lake - Head to Jack Lake - Jack lake also provides a good chance to see moose. On the north end of the Kelly/Jack portage are paths that lead to an abandoned gold mine. Day trip to South Temperance Lake which is an island studded beauty with good fishing chances. Day trip to Burnt/Smoke Lakes. Most of these lakes lay in a protected valley that provide protection from wind.

Entry 54 - Seagull Lake - Head to Ogishkemuncie Lake. There is a nice set of rapids between Alpine and Jasper Lake. Ogishkemuncie is a nice fishing lake. Take a day trip to the south east to Mueller Falls. On the portage between Muller and Agamok Lake you will cross the Kekekabic Trail. Turn east on the Kek Trail and walk about a quarter mile. There you will find a bridge over the river and falls extend above and below the bridge. On another day take a day trip to Eddy Falls to the northeast. Along the trail between Eddy Lake and South Arm of Knife is Eddy Falls. There are paths along the portage to falls all along the length of the portage. With enough time to paddle, you could also visit Thunder Point at the spot where Knife Lake splits into north and south arms. There is a trail to the top of the hill overlooking the border to the west.

thank you for these suggestions. all definitely look awesome.

Since you will most likely be carrying most of the weight I'm going suggest some off the wall options.
Entry 64 and take the left arm and head to moon. It's a portage but then you can camp and fish and day trip to caribou.

Entry point 69 John lake, camp on john (get on the lake early so you can catch a site as people leave). Day trip to ....I gotta finish this later when I gave a map in front of me instead of just a memory.

Lots of good options presented already. I'll add one more off the Gunflint.
Duncan Lake I think would make a good basecamp with lots of good daytrip options. You can go through Hungry Jack outfitters and have two pretty easy portages.

From Duncan you have easy access to great hiking, which can be a good option if the weather is rough. Some awesome views from the Border Trail! There is also the stairway portage and the Rose Lake falls to check out. I also know there was some fine fishing for smallies and lakers to be had when I went over memorial weekend a bunch of years back.

For Mocha...up the Royal River to Royal Lake, or over to East Pike Lake

Can't think of a better basecamp option than Horseshoe off the top of my head...unique and very scenic lake with good fishing and good wildlife sighting(think moose) possibilities. Lots of daytrip options including short trips to check out nearby lakes or a couple full loop daytrips that would take most of a day but be a lot of fun. Or head down to Vista, one of the prettier lakes in the BWCA and great fishing. if you go there you will want to camp there.

We stayed on Meeds Lake one trip and did a daytrip over to Caribou, down to Horseshoe, into Allen, Pillsbery and Swallow lakes and back to Meeds Lake. WE left about 10 am and took our time, checking out every campsite, stopping for photos and a long lunch break and were back at camp by 6pm...just to give you an idea.

This can be a busy area, for good reason. So if you go in from Poplar (#47 Lizz Lake entry) get an early enough start so that you are on Horseshoe by 11am to 1pm to grab a campsite. A trip you would not regret.

lindylair: "For Mocha...up the Royal River to Royal Lake, or over to East Pike Lake"

Thank you, that is what I meant