Any recommendations of a nice resort to stay in that is in a good location for day tripping into the BWCA or forest service lakes?

Thanks.

I can’t recommend Gunflint Lodge enough. They have a ton to do for kids— nature activities, swimming, free use of canoes and kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, ropes course, horseback riding. Gunflint lake isn’t the BWCA but you can get there from both ends of the lake. Top notch outfitting and dining as well.

Our two favorites are Rockwood Lodge and Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint. Have stayed in cabins at both of them multiple times. Trail Center has a couple of nice cabins out back, too. All of them have easy access to day trips into the BWCA. But I am pretty sure they are all booked up now for this summer. We made our reservation last year and the weeks we were most interested weren't available in any of the cabins.

Less than a month and we'll be up there, with our 18-year old granddaughter with us. Making more memories. :-)

i will check these places out. thanks so much for the info

If by "nice" you mean a little higher end, then here's two of the best options:

On gunflint side, Gunflint Lodge is awesome for families. Tons of activities and plenty of BWCA daytrip options (like Magnetic River), and hiking (Kekekabic Trail, Magnetic Rock Trail, Border Route Trail to see Bridal Veil Falls), and many of other options. Gunflint has everything under the sun for kids (beach, Paddleboards, dock fishing, day programs and guided trips, horseback riding, restaurant and gift shop, Zip Line course, etc etc.). Gunflint Lodge has their own outfitter, so anything you need is right there if you want to venture out.

On the Ely side, The Grand Ely Lodge (right in Ely) is nice option for families too (beach, pool, game room, restaurant, gift shop etc) and there are plenty of daytrip options. You can use their canoes and Kayaks on the lake at the Lodge (not in BWCA), but to do a BWCA daytrip you'd need to rent a canoe from an outfitter. One fun and easy BWCA daytrip from Ely would be to rent a canoe and go in to South Hegman Lake, portage into North Hegman and see the pictographs on North Hegman. Pack a lunch for a picnic and do a little fishing too. It's a great BWCA experience that won't even take your whole day! There are lots of daytrip options from Ely and any outfitter in town will rent you a canoe.

Hungry Jack is nice as well.

If you're considering the Ely side, you might want to add the Kawishiwi Lodge to your list. Non-motorized lake and a resort that is approaching 100 years in business. Nice place and I think they are a sponsor here also.

We have had good experiences using Kawishiwi Lodge on Lake One. /great for day trips!

You’ve probably already made your choice of resorts, but I thought I’d weigh in. Last year we went to the Gunflint Lodge with the thought of daytripping. We went in very early September and it was cold and windy. The outfitters had problems towing several groups and had to return. We were going to kayak in from the lodge but had trouble due to the high wind. I don’t know if that was a fluke or normally like that in early September. You have to cross a wide section of the lake from the lodge in order to get into the BWCAW and although my husband and I managed to do so just barely one day, it was still much too windy for my comfort and there were large waves both leaving and returning to the Gunflint Lodge. It was scary. The food was excellent and there are some great hiking trails on premise! The front desk employees at both the lodge and outfitters were not helpful in our admittedly short experience there. They could not answer what we thought were simple questions about the weather report on the lake, their activity schedule, etc. it’s also very expensive to stay there unless you stay in one of the primitive Voyageur cabins (bunkhouses without plumbing, but they do have electricity) — we loved the little rustic cabin though!

This year we’re trying the Ely side — many resorts to choose from. On the Gunflint side you could also try Voyageur Outfitters as they have a few cabins to choose from, all with kitchens and fire places, though they’re also pretty expensive (think $200+ per night).

Spartan2: "Our two favorites are Rockwood Lodge and Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint. "

+1

On the Ely side, Vosburgh's on Moose Lake is right on the edge of the BWCA with easy access to Basswood for great fishing.

Ely side, Canoe Country Outfitters have cabins at their Moose Lake Base. Sauna, store, good access to BWCAW and Quetico if it opens, and great people.