I'm going to take my kids to the BWCA for the first time this summer. It's been 20 years since I've been there so I'm afraid my experience is out of date. I'm looking for an entry point that will make for an easy basecamp experience. As in a good likelihood of relatively close campsites being available with access to interesting day trips.

My personal favorite used to be Lake One, but as I said, it's been a while. I have heard that it's pretty busy these days and I haven't seen the fire damage. Clearwater Lake looks attractive, too, though that could mean starting out with a decent portage.

Timeframe isn't set quite yet, but probably mid-June or early August to schedule around athletic activities. Kids are 10-15 so they're capable of paddling, but not really into it (yet) which is why I want to ease them into it (and, honestly, ease me back into it too). Will be five of us in two tents.

Clearwater is a majestic lake that would leave a lasting impression. A few considerations: Get your permit early - January 25th. It is susceptible to winds & waves and, as your rightly mentioned already, the portages in/out are all quite difficult by BWCA standards.

I'll throw out another option that will provide several scenic & historic spots to visit. Duncan Lake EP #60.


Check out the trip report Daddy daughter Duncan day trips for the details.

We have kids that age and we've gone into Wood Lake each of the past 4 or 5 years. The first portage is medium-length but straightforward. Fishing was great for us. Lots of wildlife from frogs, crawdads, and turtles to a bear, deer, swans, and more...but that isn't necessarily unique to that entry point. It's simply one our family enjoys out of tradition now, I think. Your comment about busy entry points made me think of Wood Lake - we've had very little traffic on our trips. I'll also mention the day trips, or overnight if you decide you want to move instead of basecamp, over to Good and Indiana have been awesome too.

Hope you get lots of good suggestions and end up having a great trip!

plmn, I have recommended this to a few parties lately so don't want to sound like a broken record but there is a reason...folks looking for an easy in trip with minimal portaging, good fishing, solitude and decent daytrips, Homer Lake fits the bill. Paddle to Vern and get one of the two good campsites(hopefully). Daytrips to Pipe Lake, Juno Lake and first and foremost, up the Vern River which is beautiful and offers good fishing opportunities.

Option 2...put in at Poplar Lake and enter the BWCA at Lizz Lake. Paddle south to caribou but instead of continuing south to Horseshoe as 90% of the travelers do, head west to Meeds Lake. A very quiet lake, 3 good campsites with very good fishing and there are several daytrips to take. Head to Horseshoe for a day which is definitely worth seeing, cool lake known for moose sightings. Sadly, very busy these days.

Baker Lake entry to Kelly or Jack Lake(or further) would also be an easy trip. On the north end of the Kelly to Jack portage there is a short trail that leads to an old abandoned gold mine and lots of artifacts lying around.

Just a few ideas, hope you have a good trip.

Those all sound like good suggestions that I'll go over with the family. I enjoyed reading the trip report. Thanks!

Here's another trip report for you from one of my ideas:


Homer Lake entry

Thanks again for all the suggestions! I spent quite a bit of time considering all these options over the past few days and ended up taking off of work this morning to finalize my decision and lay out my options. Ended up getting Duncan within one day of my original planned entry in July and now I'm getting excited about it. Aurora's smiles were very convincing! Hopefully I can put a trip together that will put that smile on my kids.

I have another question though...how soon do you think I need to reserve gear at Clearwater or Hungry Jack? I'm not sure yet what I am going to buy or bring and what I am going to rent. Will need at least one three person canoe and probably bear barrels.

plmn: "I have another question though...how soon do you think I need to reserve gear at Clearwater or Hungry Jack? I'm not sure yet what I am going to buy or bring and what I am going to rent. Will need at least one three person canoe and probably bear barrels. "

It nothing as crazy like grabbing permits was this morning and there's no huge rush but, I'd still encourage you to reach out ASAP to start putting those pieces in place.

Where are you entering?

lots of good suggestions there... i'd STRONGLY recommend your August dates regardless of where you go.... far fewer black flies and maybe even fewer mosquitos depending on the rains

lindylair: "Where are you entering?"

Bearskin, probably using Clearwater Outfitters.

pstrom: "lots of good suggestions there... i'd STRONGLY recommend your August dates regardless of where you go.... far fewer black flies and maybe even fewer mosquitos depending on the rains"

Yeah that is what I wanted but the week of July 4th was the only time we knew for sure wasn't going to interfere with other activities. So, we'll just have to make the best of it. Hoping most people will be heading off the water on the 4th, we'll be putting in on the 6th.

I'm excited for your trip to Duncan. Our family enjoyed a short basecamp trip there when our twins were 10 yrs old. Similar July timeframe. We stayed at the peninsula site on the west end of the lake and our kids enjoyed swimming in the shallow area off the landing that extends out quite a bit. As you saw, TB's awesome trip report details the many fun day trip options in the area. Our troops especially enjoyed hiking to the BRT vistas right off the stairway portage, exploring the falls and swimming in Rose. I couldn't get my family to venture further afield on that brief trip but I eventually made my way back to the area with an adult "siblings 'n spouses" group and enjoyed longer paddles to Height of Land and hikes to more remote vistas. Highly recommended, such a beautiful area.

Good luck with your planning. If you think of it, let us know how the trip goes.

plmn: "...we'll just have to make the best of it. Hoping most people will be heading off the water on the 4th, we'll be putting in on the 6th. "

Actually, the week of July 4th is, on average, the lowest BWCAW usage rate of the summer.

schweady: "

plmn: "...we'll just have to make the best of it. Hoping most people will be heading off the water on the 4th, we'll be putting in on the 6th. "

Actually, the week of July 4th is, on average, the lowest BWCAW usage rate of the summer.
"

That surprises me, but I suppose the fireworks ban has something to do with it. Don't expect that will change the number of overnighters since there were so few permits, but maybe there will be less day trippers on the lake.

plmn: "

schweady: "

plmn: "...we'll just have to make the best of it. Hoping most people will be heading off the water on the 4th, we'll be putting in on the 6th. "

Actually, the week of July 4th is, on average, the lowest BWCAW usage rate of the summer.
"

That surprises me, but I suppose the fireworks ban has something to do with it. Don't expect that will change the number of overnighters since there were so few permits, but maybe there will be less day trippers on the lake. "

Has more to do with many families having their established traditional family gatherings. And, yes, for whatever reason, their own attempts at fireworks.

schweady: "

plmn: "...we'll just have to make the best of it. Hoping most people will be heading off the water on the 4th, we'll be putting in on the 6th. "

Actually, the week of July 4th is, on average, the lowest BWCAW usage rate of the summer.
"

My outfitter told me the same last year & it surprised me though it checked out in the park.

My vote would be for Ashigan Lake. I have fond memories from my trip there as a youth. The NW campsite has a shelf that is great for wading for smallies & the lake itself, while fairly accessible, doesn't get reached by folks who stop at Ensign & gets passed over by folks pressing further in.

For an easy in and out with lots of campsites to choose from. It's hard to beat entry point #30 on lake One. You have 2 extremely short portages if you want to to go over to lakes 2 and 3 and beyond.
I did my first solo there last October and wasn't disappointed.
It has quite a bit of traffic in the summer months but getting on the water early usually avoids that issue.
If you haven't been up there in a number of years it might be best to stick to an easy entry point but that has lots of day trip options if you so choose.

Riverat

If you want to have fun, and base camp, why portage at all? Go in on Seagull. They will love exploring the palisades and all Seagull has to offer. And there are lots of really nice camp sites on that lake.

Nothing sours first timers (particularly kids) being introduced to BWCA and wilderness camping like hauling gear on portages.

We are going in on Duncan, but thanks for the further suggestions, I will keep them in mind for next year.