I am interested in taking day trips into the Boundary Waters for kayaking and am looking for suggestions for which access points would be best. I would like to also stay somewhat close to Lake Superior for agate hunting, so ideally the access point would be at most about an hour from Lake Superior. I would prefer no portaging, but would be able to do some shorter portages if needed.

Does anyone have any suggestions for access points that may work in this situation? Is this going to be doable?

It looks like access points 69, 44, and 43 may work with some shorter portages, but wanted to see if there were any other suggestions. Thanks

I would look for big lakes for kayaking and avoiding portages.

Instead of #69, #68, Pine Lake would be better. McFarland has a few cabins and motors, but the portage into Pine is very short. You could spend a whole day on PIne.

Both Ram and Bower Trout have portages just to get to the lake. Then the lakes are small and you have portage again for new territory.

Two other options that fit are up the Gunflint to Clearwater, pretty big lake. Almost all paved road.

My choice would be Brule. Huge scenic lake with no motors and lots to explore. An ideal kayak lake IMHO. Lots of gravel road to get there, but I think it can be done in an hour from Grand Marais. If you go up to Devil's Track Lake and take CR 57 along the north side of the lake it is paved out to the USFS Campground. The rest to Brule would be gravel, but it is a big, well-maintained road.

Sawbill Lake (Entry 38). FS campsite on the lake. Very long lake (north to south). Lots to explore there. Very short portage to Alton Lake. Huge Lake to explore. Also, very short portage from Sawbill to Kelso Lake. Very old lake. The Kelso River gives different scenery to explore (visit the Viking dolman and see the endangered pitcher plants.) all the way north to Lujenida Lake. A little longer portage between Alton and Kelso allows you to make it a loop. Within driving distance to Brule Lake (mentioned before). About 45 min. back to Lake Superior for agate hunting. Also driving distance to Kawishiwi Lake. Paddle north with very short portages/beaver dam pullovers to Kawasachong Lake. Some great BW river paddling in this route. Also near Kawishiwi Lake is Hog Creek. Another day paddle with no portage (1 or 2 beaver dam pullovers) to Perent Lake.

I know you said BWCAW, but just for completeness I feel obliged to mention that Voyageurs National Park offers superb kayak camping just west of the Boundary Waters, a bit further from Lake Superior. And Isle Royale NP is incredible and there’s a lot accessible by kayak yet in sheltered waters, right on Lake Superior, accessible by ferry including your kayak, from Grand Portage which is about 40 minutes up the road from Grand Marais.

Brule or Sawbill, both already mentioned and both you can unload right at the lake and paddle a medium (Sawbill) or large (Brule) lake for as long as you want with a day permit you get right at the landing. If you want to try a portage, the one from Sawbill to Alton is very short and flat and easy. Would give another decent sized lake to explore that day or another day.

Look at EP#64 East Bearskin Lake. Short easy portages in the immediate area.

EP #54 Sea Gull Lake provides plenty of water by itself.



photo is right off East Bearskin.

Are you able to portage the kayak even short distances? I've done small portages with my 50lb kayak to the boundary waters and it opens up more options. If you can't portage it at all, then any entry point where you are launching from a river/creek will work. Did Perent lake (Hog Creek #36) last year and that would be doable in a kayak down the river to the lake.