We're planning our first trip to the BWCAW, the first week of August. We're headed out of Seagull for our planned route. I know August is busy, but which day of the week is best to start a five day trip?.

Basecamp or traveling daily? Generally, the most permits are pulled for Thursday and Friday. People make 3-4 day weekends. So Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the quieter days in my experience.

Traveling. Chose Seagull to make a big lake loop (Seagull up to Sag, down to Alpine, and back to Seagull) because we want to take our 75 lb wood canvas canoes. They are beauties, but weight is an issue.

Most popular to least popular:
Friday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Monday, Tuesday

Good info! That's what we were thinking. Thanks!

U-P-Tripper: "Traveling. Chose Seagull to make a big lake loop (Seagull up to Sag, down to Alpine, and back to Seagull) because we want to take our 75 lb wood canvas canoes. They are beauties, but weight is an issue. "

That's a great loop for the wood/canvas. We did that loop with our Old Town Tripper as our 2nd canoe and despite our age, it the portages were very manageable with the heavy boat.

Suggest a Saganaga Lake permit and put in at the landing by Trails End campground. You will actually put in on Gull Lake and following the Seagull River downstream to Saganaga. The trip would end at the Seagull Lake landing at Trails End. There is a big parking area between Gull Lake and Seagull Lake and you can drive up to both landings.

This way you eliminate the portage on the Seagull River. The portage is in Trails End Campground and right through the back yard of several campsites as I recall.

If water levels are real low there is an area you have to wade/walk your canoes through to get the Seagull Lake landing at Trails End.

Oh, the real question. I have always started trip on a Monday and found thinner crowds and easier to find campsites on entry lakes.

Thanks for the alternative EP suggestion. I'll have the group check it out.