Folks I last went to the BW when I was 15 years old. Some 30 years have passed since then, but my ten year old daughter really wants to go. We homeschool and that gives us some advantages as we usually hit popular trip spots before school lets out or after it starts again to limit battling crowds.

When would you suggest we go in 2023? Mid-May or late August? Was considering Lizz EP as we have very little experience and are taking young kids.

Hi Katie. Lizz is a great choice - but you'd better secure the permit on opening permit day in late January. From June thru Sept this season, almost all dates were booked. I've been thru Lizz many times. May might be a bit early for you guys - never know the spring thaw/water levels. August is a great month - very few, if any, bugs. If you are fishing, August would have a pretty high weed growth in bays and such, so plan accordingly. Of course August will give plenty of swimming chances too. Almost all the campsites on Caribou and Horseshoe are pretty decent. Gaskin's are very good too.

The best time to go depends on your priorities. I'll assume the young kids are more interested in swimming than fishing, so August is warm, May is cold.

Lizz is a good choice, lots of options with not a ton of work. Plus there are good places to stay to start or end the trip right at the edge of the BWCA there in the Poplar Lk area.

I will echo what was mentioned, if you have kids I'd say late Aug or even first half of Sept will be much more enjoyable than mid May. Water temps in the 70s vs water temps in the 40s and there's a good chance you might get snowed on in May. The good fishing is about the only positive about May in short.

Makes good sense, late August it is! With permits being so hard to nab, will we struggle to find a campsite in that area?

KatieCanoe: "Makes good sense, late August it is! With permits being so hard to nab, will we struggle to find a campsite in that area? "

They reduced the permits this year so that should help with campsite availability. The earlier in the morning you start paddling the better chance you will have of finding an open site, in my opinion. The Lizz Lake option gives you chances at sites on Caribou, Horseshoe, and then Gaskin, if necessary...which are all within reach on the first day. I'd be curious if others think the day of the week matters. In my experience, it seems easier to find a site on weekdays versus weekends so maybe plan to enter accordingly if you have the flexibility.

Here's my favorite Lizz Lake trip report video courtesy of Gary Hamer, another BWCA.com member.

YetiJedi: "I'd be curious if others think the day of the week matters. In my experience, it seems easier to find a site on weekdays versus weekends so maybe plan to enter accordingly if you have the flexibility..."

Sunday and Monday entries seem to be quietest. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the worst. Over the years, oddly enough, the highest percentage of permits reserved and dates completely filled for many EPs has always been on Thursdays.

I agree with the late August or first half of September. Water is still warm enough to swim and the bug quantities are on the low end. If you plan to get to the lake you want to camp on around 11am-1pm you can usually find a campsite. I also have noticed a definite decrease in crowds in the eastern part of the BWCA this year and have had no issues finding a site. If you get a Lizz permit (looks like there are a few still available if you are flexible on the start date), Horseshoe Lake is a great lake for possibly spotting a moose. Have fun!

I'd suggest Aug-Sep 2022. Why wait?

Lizz is a great EP. That’s where I took my oldest on her 1st trip at age 5 and it is the only area that I have repeated more than once on my 20 + trips.
I agree with others that August is better than May for your circumstances.

The 2nd half of August it starts quieting down some when school sports start up and college kids head to school. That being said, with your flexible school schedule I think September would be even better.

Rockwood outfitters right on Poplar Lake are amazing if you need one. They also have bunkhouses where you can spend the night before entry which helps get you on the water earlier in the morning.

I think the first half of September would be ideal for your setup. Still warm enough to swim at the beginning of the month, or you could get some solid fall colors during the middle of the month. Little to no bugs is also a major plus. My favorite time to go is the first or second week of October, but it can get pretty cold that time of year.

For me, mid-summer is the best time. Aug-Sept. should be good as well

make a list of what you really want:

No people?
No bugs?
fall colors?
best fishing?
warm vs cold temps?
ability to swim?

then rate the list from most important to least. In our group the top of the list is fewest people possible and no bugs. That puts us in late September. We like fall colors which moves us to last week of September to first week of october.

Why not start the school year with a field trip to the BW? If this is her first time , you’ll want her to be able to swim, fish, etc and have little or no bugs. It’s also a great time to identify late summer flowers, trees, and identify star constellations.

I would add my yes to those recommending September. I have always thought it the best month because it is cooler, the bugs are less, and after Labor Day kids are in school. You tend to get more serious canoers then also. By mid-September you also have the fall colors starting depending on the year and conditions.