As much of a let down as the entry shut down measures are, I am exploring alternatives. Does anyone have any ideas for alternatives? We could travel about 10-12 hours from northern Indiana.

Missouri, the Merrimack River area offers float trips there a company out of new haven that does guided Missouri River trips. Hermann is a gem of a town.

There is a group forum here called Other Canoe Camping Locations . There you will find discussions about places in Wisconsin such as the Wisconsin River, The Namekagon & St. Croix Rivers, and the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Another place that is at the far end of your travel range would be the The Northern Forest Canoe Trail starting in Old Forge, NY.

Keep checking for permit availability. We were able to grab a Saganaga Only permit at last minute. I've seen permits come and go quite a bit this week.

Sylvania Wilderness - Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Near Watersmeet, MI.

Ottawa National Forest - Sylvania Wilderness.

You need a permit the same as the BW, but you are reserving a specific campsite.

It is a wilderness, so the same wilderness rules apply as the BW (LNT and no glass or cans.)

Fishing regs are specific to those lakes so make sure you understand what you can and can't keep.

Recreation.gov - Sylvania Wilderness Reservations.

A quick check shows most dates have available sites in Aug and Sept. Maybe a lone Saturday and one Thurs-Fri are booked up.

What are the conditions you are looking for? I mean, does it have to be wilderness? Or are you looking for scenery/outdoors/fishing, in general?

When is your trip? What kind of trip are you looking for? Do you need to rent canoes and gear or do you have your own? Unfortunately there really isn't another place like the BWCA in the U.S. but I think that Maine and the ADK's can come close. Hopefully someone from here with more experience in those area's will chime in. A little closer to home for you I really like the Big Island Lake Wilderness Area in the upper peninsula. And close by is the aforementioned Sylvania Wilderness. Neither are very big, you could get across them in a day, but if taking it easy, exploring and fishing are your thing they could be the ticket.

Can you go after August 9 and is Canada an option?

Like others have said, no place I know in US with the combination of wilderness, solitude, great fishing, and infinite route.

Fire is the reason I fear we will not get in to BW. We go in August 20.

Richwon4: "Fire is the reason I fear we will not get in to BW. We go in August 20. "

Well to be honest your talking about a month from now. It very well could change by then. I would just sit tight, wait, and keep an eye on permits to see what pops up. If your really worried about it I just checked and there are 2 permits available for Saganaga lake that day. You could always switch now.

My permit is secured but it seems it will take alot of rain to put these fires out.

Richwon4: "My permit is secured, but it seems it will take a lot of rain to put these fires out. "

Right, sorry I wasn't that clear in my previous post. I was under the impression that you had a permit for an EP that is currently closed and you're worried that the closure will be extended. In which case my advice would be to wait and see or switch now to an open EP.

Wait and see game can drive a person nuts!
I'm traveling from a bit further away but going in closer to Labor Day. I have some flexibility factored in my soloist plans. Lots to see and do in northern Minnesota and I'll adopt a more touristy role if need be. That's as much of a plan B as I want to make. Don't know if you've been to the arrowhead region of MN before but it's quite scenic eastward on Hwy 61 drive to Grand Marais and up the Gunflint Trail. Perhaps, basecamp at an established or dispersed campground with Day Trips into the BWCA, as a possible alternative? Not the same, I know.

Group dynamics or going solo? Might help to know for suggestions on alternative destinations.

The Buffalo River in Arkansas is well within your travel limit.

We are considering the Canadian side of the Lake Superior north shore as a backup plan. It isn’t wilderness, but there are definitely a lot of paddling and hiking options.
I’m not sure how far that would be from Indiana but it’s probably within your driving range.
There are several provincial and national parks along the shore.

I have a permit for august, but will make a last minute decision on whether to go to the bwca or somewhere where I can have a fire.

A fine Canadian option is Lake Superior Provincial Park This gorgeous Ontario park is located 1.5 hours north of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Inland paddling options (click Activities on the website) there are significantly more limited than in Quetico, but there are a number of established canoe routes. Paddling on Lake Superior is also an option. If not this year, check it out in the future. This is my favorite Ontario park.

Hi friends,

I am considering taking a trip over Labor Day weekend and looking at doing something other than the BWCA since I will just have been up there. I am looking for a BWCA-like experience with less people, paddling, remoteness, and some fishing if it's available. Would prefer pine/spruce woods over deciduous but whatever works. People have mentioned Big Island Lake Wilderness Area and Sylvania Wilderness in the UP- is there a preference between the two? Or would Lake Superior Provincial Park be the way to go? Thoughts? Thanks!

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Hi friends,


I am considering taking a trip over Labor Day weekend and looking at doing something other than the BWCA since I will just have been up there. I am looking for a BWCA-like experience with less people, paddling, remoteness, and some fishing if it's available. Would prefer pine/spruce woods over deciduous but whatever works. People have mentioned Big Island Lake Wilderness Area and Sylvania Wilderness in the UP- is there a preference between the two? Or would Lake Superior Provincial Park be the way to go? Thoughts? Thanks!"

BILW and Sylvania are both very nice and I love both but they are not really like the BWCA. No rock, deciduous forest, and small. Out of your suggestions take a further look at Lake Superior Provincial Park. Beautiful, Canadian shield, and spruce, cedar forest. Lakes have lake trout and possibly Brookes. Shouldn't run into too many people but I believe their Labor Day weekend is the same as ours
Check out the Old Woman lake loop.If you can make it back there, there is a really neat trappers cabin with a visitors log.

Years ago, on this site I stupidly mentioned a route using the beartrap river. It was an old timer secret. I should have never mentioned it.
There are many rivers near the bwca that are very wild.