So im planning my first trip To the BWCA for the summer of 2023. Going to just do a base camp beings this will be my first trip into the bush.

How soon can I reserve my permit?
what point should I begin my trip from?
If I plan my trip with a outfitter will they have my permit ready when I get there?
What are some good outfitters to use in Ely Mn?

Welcome to bwca.com!

1. Usually around the end of January is when reservable permits first become available for a given calendar year.

2. Look here for information about various entry points. However, If you can list a few priorities for your trip, people will certainly chime in with specific recommendations.

3. Yes, outfitters will help you reserve and have the permit ready to go upon your watching the video.

4.There are several others but, I've generally gone with Spirit of the wilderness outfitters when going out of Ely.

First, I would not rule out a traveling trip. We did a short travel trip for our first one. We worked with an outfitter to plan everything for our first trip. We were completely outfitted for gear and food. The outfitter reserved our permit. We learned a lot about navigation, camp set-up, travel etiquette, food preparation. Also, we learned about the gear that works best, camp chow (what we liked and what we didn't), what gear we used and what we didn't, etc.

The outfitters listed on this website are all good ones. We have used VNO before. The ownership has changed in the last couple of years. Nice bunkhouse facilities, and good gear.

You can visit outfitter's websites to see suggested routes from many entry points.

Hope you have a great trip.

What he said. Permits become available at 9:00 AM CT the last Wednesday of January, which will be the 25th next year.

In Ely, I have used Voyageur North Outfitters and Piragis - happy with both. Plenty of other good ones - services vary, so it's a good idea to look at websites and see which one would work best for you. There is a list of them at the link he posted on EP's.

Tons of options, most of the simple questions have been answered.

Hit the outfitters link here at the top of the page and see who supports the site. Those are all good options and many in Ely.

But yes, no permits for any year until January of that year so you've got a while to wait. You can spend some of that time figuring out where you want to go.

Use the search function here and you will find TONS of info. Then come back and post a new topic on where to go and include the ones that have your interest and also what you'd like to do or see. Do you fish? If so, what are you hoping to find? Waterfalls? Old growth forest? Sandy beach? Rivers and streams or lakes. Those things help narrow the options down for recommendations.

Welcome! First trips only happen once! :) You've come to a great place for support and suggestions. As you can see, posting a question will get you lots of good feedback. Enjoy the planning process...the trips seem to pass quickly!

There is a plethora of information available to help you plan; especially on this forum. I would recommend considering a travel trip on your first BW trip so you can really experience how great it is. That being said, utilize this site and the search function to look for trip planning help. Make a list of topics you need help with and focus on one at a time or you could get lost in the weeds and your head will be spinning. It’s great you are planning now for 2023. Happy planning.

I was thinking I want to enter somewhere around points 24,25. I'm planning to do a lot of fishing for bass and walleye mainly. I have not ruled out a travel trip just yet but I for sure want to get a feel for the land and the area. I grew up fishing a lake in Tenn. that will get turned around pretty quick so I have somewhat of a sense of direction. Much thanks everyone for the help.

I would try and change campsites at least once so you gain a little bit of experience on what it is like to pack and unpack a full canoe. It's a good experience for future planning.

If you have future aspirations beyond just entering and basecamping, I'd agree with moving at least once and doing a couple of portages to at least get a fuller experience of what it's like.

Welcome to the best wilderness paddling site around!

Think about in-and-out base camping outings and a long distance travel routes as the extremes and perhaps consider hitting somewhere in the middle. If you have a week, look for a loop with 4 travel days and spend 2 nights at each of 3 camps. Or any other combination of shorter or longer times spent here or there as the weather allows or the heart desires.

To offer another perspective. . .we started off doing the multiple portages but after 5 years of portaging realized that in an effort to "see lots of area and get in lots of miles" we were paddling right by a lot of things. Also realized that much of our time was spent loading and unloading canoes, and setting up and taking down camps.

Ten years ago our groups went to base camping and like it a lot better. We take the time saved on portaging gear and setting up and taking down camps to really explore the lake we are on and the adjoining lakes. And once the camp is set up we check out all the adjoining lakes. When we do those portaqes we have only the canoes and daypacks.

Everyone is different but I would argue that base camping, and not doing multiple portages while trying to get in a lot of miles does not mean you are missing the BWCA experience. It can actually means you are REALLY seeing and checking out the lakes you are on with no time tables!