Planning for summer 2023. Looking for cabins on doorstep of the BWCA to take wife and kids. Priorities are indoor toilets, serviceable kitchen, and access to be BWCA from our front door (no car trips to entry points).

So far I've narrowed it down to Kawishiwi or Rockwood. Rockwood has a leg up with my wife due to a nearby restaurant (Poplar Haus) so we can get a break from cooking a couple times, but Kawishiwi looks more remote, which I prefer.

Am I missing better options? Bonus points for good fishing and not too tough portages. Kids are 10-17.

Thanks!

Tuscarora Lodge. Paddle from your cabins dock across Round lake to Missing Link or Brant entry points. Its back off the Gunflint trail enough to give it a remote feel. Not a bad drive back to Poplar House or Trail Center to eat. Not far from Magnetic Rock trail if you feel like a short hike. Short drive or long portage back out Round Lake road to Crossbay entry point.

I spent a week at Bearskin Lodge a few years ago. We had a good time. Your cabin comes with a dock on East Bearskin Lake, a motor lake for part of the way and then a bwca lake.

Possible daytrips:
I read a trip report on this site of someone that did a day trip to Johnson Falls from East Bearskin.

Crocodile Lake:
I've read that there is good walleye fishing in Crocodile.

Rockwood. Full housekeeping cabins with dock, canoe, deck, grill. Middle of the Gunflint Trail so not a long drive to anywhere, all the way up to Trail's End, Gunflint Lodge, etc. Lots of hiking trailheads along the GF Trail, too.

I'm partial to the great folks at Rockwood. I just came back from staying at a cabin there a few weeks ago. I have used their bunkhouse several times in the past. I have also heard great things about other outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. There's just something about Gunflint Trail hospitality. They all seem to support each other, work together, and support each other which is really nice. They are super knowledgeable of the area and will do what it takes to give you the experience that you are looking for realizing that it is different for every group that they work with and sometimes for each person within the group at times.

Hungry Jack Outfitters is another good option to consider. They have a couple nice cabins that I think check your boxes. Located on the south shore of Hungry Jack Lake (not Hungry Jack Lodge, a larger operation on the west side of the lake), it's two short/easy portages to Duncan Lake/Rose Falls and Daniels Lake, as well as good BRT hiking (if that's of interest). No restaurant immediately at your doorstep, but both Trail Center and Poplar Haus are just a short drive away.

We enjoy Golden Eagle Lodge and highly recommend generally. But note that immediate access to the bwca from Flour Lake is thru a somewhat challenging portage into Moon Lake.

In mid-September, due to a lack of availability at Rockwood, we will spend a couple of pre-trip nights at Hungry Jack Lodge's Wolf Cabin. Seems a little on the spendy side, but we shall see. Always fun to spend a full day on the Trail before a paddling adventure... like two trips in one. Full report ahead.

Canoe Country Outfitters has cabins at their Moose Lake base. Nice waterfront, store, sauna, laundry, etc. - quite a nice place and wonderful people.

Hungry Jack Lodge. They have a really good restaurant, cabins are great! Also good walleye fishing from their docks. Have access to Daniels and Duncan lakes. Also Moss Lake…while not in the BWCA, still requires portaging to get there. There’s also Leo Lake, just down the road, where you can catch rainbow trout from shore. They also allow pets, just in case that’s an issue.

billconner: "Canoe Country Outfitters has cabins at their Moose Lake base. Nice waterfront, store, sauna, laundry, etc. - quite a nice place and wonderful people."

My son & I have stayed there, and you can have your boat or canoe within a short walk from your cabin. I think Bruce is still the caretaker there, extremely knowledgeable about the several lakes in that area and is a great guy. I second billconner's recommendation.

I'm confused at the Kawishiwi option? Granted....there's a lake and a river that cover a lot of territory in the BWCA

cyclones30: "I'm confused at the Kawishiwi option? Granted....there's a lake and a river that cover a lot of territory in the BWCA "

Yeah, could be Kawishiwi Lodge on Lake One. Or, maybe Moose Track Adventures Lodge on Farm Lake...

I’ve stayed at a several different places and hands down Rockwood is my favorite. My second favorite is the Trail Center They have 2 cabins down by the lake. On the Ely side Kawishiwi Lodge is my favorite.

Cowdocs suggestion of Tuscarora May be a good compromise for you and your wife. It is more remote than Rockwood and a lot closer to restaurants than Kawishiwi Lodge.

Something to consider is that Kawishiwi Lodge is one of the places that only takes full week reservations Saturday to Saturday If you’re not doing a full week or don’t want to do Saturday to Saturday then Rockwood and Tuscarora give you more flexibility.

Thanks for the info! What gives Rockwood a leg up on Kawishiwi for you?

Sorry for the delayed reply. Just got home from a get away with my wife to Copper Harbor and I only checked in on here the one morning.

In addition to the flexibility of picking which days we stay. We usually don’t want to do the Saturday to Saturday stay.

* we really like the owners and have gotten to know them well over the years. They are great people.
*smaller resort with fewer cabins
*more canoe day trip options without driving somewhere. You can enter at Skipper, Meads, Lizz, or Swamp. And you can exit at a different EP than you entered giving more loop options versus out and back.
*. Our kids really like the SUPs, kayaks, and paddle boat (Kawishiwi does have kayaks)
*there are a lot more hiking trail options near Rockwood
* our favorite restaurant The Trail Center being nearby
*dog friendly
* for years we always went to the Ely area but now we enjoy Grand Marais and the GF trail more.

You would have a great time at either place. Both places have been a great experience for us. Both places fill up for the summer so book as early as possible.

I really like that Kawishiwi is on a non motorized lake, but we have seen and heard very few motor boats on Poplar over the years during our cabin stays and when crossing for BWCA trips.

My vote is a place that does not involved Lake One and that area

cyclones30: "My vote is a place that does not involved Lake One and that area "

Why avoid Lake One?

ducks: "I’ve stayed at a several different places and hands down Rockwood is my favorite. My second favorite is the Trail Center They have 2 cabins down by the lake. On the Ely side Kawishiwi Lodge is my favorite.

Cowdocs suggestion of Tuscarora May be a good compromise for you and your wife. It is more remote than Rockwood and a lot closer to restaurants than Kawishiwi Lodge.


Something to consider is that Kawishiwi Lodge is one of the places that only takes full week reservations Saturday to Saturday If you’re not doing a full week or don’t want to do Saturday to Saturday then Rockwood and Tuscarora give you more flexibility. "

We've stayed at both Kawishiwi Lodge and Rockwood Lodge and we love them both. Beautiful locations and wonderful owners! As was mentioned Rockwood is more flexible with reservations, and they allow well-behaved dogs, but if those aren't issues for you, I would recommend either, depending on which side of the BWCAW you want to enter. Have fun!

Dave