Getting ready to be on the water this time solo, first visit to BWCA, next month. I'm thinking about taking an older iPhone 6 (or my current SE - would hate to drop it in the lake - difficult to recall my air tickets ;) and downloading ? something?, hoping to use the inherent GPS in the iPhone along with some downloaded map and the GAIA app to find my campsites and portages.

Could someone walk me through the steps? I'd love to pre-mark my campsites. Oh-and I do have a waterproof map :)
TIA!

As someone who still has an older, think ancient, flip phone, I think you are overthinking all this. Your map(s) in the BW will show where the camps sights are. since no reservation system is in place, the sites are first come, first served anyway. they can only be labeled "my" sites until you land at a given location. If you can read the maps, you shouldn't need the more tech stuff. Most here do not use that on their trips, and rely on maps. Those who are like you will probably chime in with their advice. Good tripping.

The portages are generally well marked on your maps and MOST usually can be found fairly easy if you think of looking for them where the land masses on either side tend to slope toward the portage. If you somehow miss your portage, it usually is located fairly near where you thought it should be if you are following the map as you go along on any given lake.

Thank you.

I use paper maps but I'd guess a significant number of people here carry a GPS and maps - maybe a third or even half. I've considered exactly what you are proposing, but not taken first step, which should probably be joining the GPS forum here.

GPS forum

Thanks! I'll check it out.

BTW - I found this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaM39xMqpwU&t=2s for "how to".. Now the question is "which to download" for EP 14

I've found the GAIA app to be very erratic and unreliable. Sensitive to settings and location. Have you used it before? YMMV.

Thanks! Go to know.

I have had great success with the Gaia app. I use it to supplement my paper maps, which are my primary source for navigation. It should work well for you so long as you know how to use it. Take it for a test run on a day hike or a walk around town to make sure you know what to expect.

The NatGeo Trails Illustrated map layer has all BWCA portages and campsites on it, so if you are looking for a single layer that has all the key info that would be it. There are other layers (USFS 2016 for example) that have similar information.

You can download a map area by making your map of choice the active layer, clicking the plus sign a the top, and clicking 'download maps.' Then select your area of choice and save. You'll have that downloaded are available for when you are offline and using GPS only. All described in that YouTube video.

Awesome - found it and added it (note - $20 special for Gaia subscription going on now). Thank you!

I use it every year. Just download the map area before you leave and then you can use your phone on airplane mode and it still works.

I like using my paper map but sometimes things look different when your on the water vs the overhead map view. If your not sure you can whip out your phone and confirm your location.

Thank you, Bushman.

Like Bushman and Geotramper I have had great success using GAIA in Quetico and up north.

GAIA has simple instructions on their website to show you how to download maps for offline use.

Thanks - I've started :)

Chris... welcome to BWCA.com! A little tip for posting links. Pretty easy, but let me know if you have a problem. Thanks.

I like to download both the national geographic map as well as Gaia Topo. While Gaia topo won't show most campsites and portages it is higher resolution so can be useful at times.

also, a word of caution, GPS apps on a phone eats up battery life pretty quickly. Make sure you have a back up battery source.