BWCA Bunkhouse for EP 37 - Kawishiwi Lake Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Trailmix08
  
02/12/2023 11:15AM  
We are looking for a bunkhouse or cabin for the night before we head into Kawishiwi Lake (EP37) later this summer. Are there any good options? I’m having a tough time coming up with ideas.
 
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02/12/2023 01:06PM  
Interested to hear what others suggest. I struggled with this in the past but had a nice stay at Maple Grove in Finland. However, it's still a good hour to the EP in the morning. Something closer sure would be nice.
YetiJedi
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02/12/2023 01:20PM  
I'm not aware of any bunkhouses that are close to that entry point. There is a campground at the entry point that works well for me. I bring separate camping stuff - tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc. - and just leave it in the truck so my tripping gear is how I like it. Makes for a quicker morning as I prefer to be on the water at first light whenever possible.
02/12/2023 02:16PM  
There's nothing very close - you can camp, or stay in Tofte/Grand Marais and get up really early to drive.
Michwall2
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02/12/2023 03:46PM  
There are no bunkhouses in that area. Plenty of campgrounds though. Already pointed out is the one at Kawishiwi Lake(4 maybe 5 campsites). Others are Sawbill Lake Campground (my place of choice before entering Kawishiwi), Crescent Lake Campground, and Temperance River Campground.

As YetiJedi & Boonie pointed out, there are places out on Route 61. e.g. There is an AmericInn near the entrance to Sawbill Trail. There are other Lake Superior resorts nearby also. Otherwise, find a place in Grand Marais and come back south to the Sawbill Trail.

02/12/2023 04:04PM  
There are sites to camp out the night before at the EP 37. If full, there is Sawbill outfitters with plenty of spots and only a half hour away.
MikeinMpls
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02/12/2023 05:13PM  
The night before I soloed from Kawishiwi, I slept in the back of my 4Runner. Picked up the permit from Sawtooth Outfitters first thing and was on the water by 9:00 AM. I guess staying in Tofte is an option. There is the Americinn or the Bluefin Bay properties, but that's all there is. Sawtooth doesn't have a bunkhouse, and there ain't much between Tofte and the EP.

Mike
Trailmix08
  
02/12/2023 06:39PM  
Thank you for the responses. You have confirmed what I was thinking… not many options real close by.
02/12/2023 06:50PM  
My buddy and I have a permit for Sept 5 for Kawishiwi and have already made a campground reservation for Lake Jeanette Campground for the night before. It appears to be about a 15-20 minute drive to the EP from there, is a beautiful lake and a nice campground. We often go up a day early and camp the first night which allows us a little more time to refine the equipment and packing and get us in the mood for the trip. It works out great, the only caveat is that if you happen to have bad luck and have a very rainy/stormy night. That's why we and others bring a separate tent, etc. for that night that you can just throw in the back of the vehicle and your BWCA paddling gear is safe and sound. Not as comfortable as a cabin or a bunkhouse but if you are going to the BWCA it shouldn't be a hardship at all. We find it a great way to start a trip. Definitely cheaper. BTW that campground has several non reserveable sites too. There is also Echo Lake campground not too far away, similar to Lake Jeanette. Kawishiwi Lake campground is a great option if you can get a site but it is often full and I wouldn't count on it. Lake Jeanette and Echo Lake, if nothing else, could be good options if that happens.
02/12/2023 07:45PM  
Couple of thoughts. Jeanette Lake is nowhere near Kawishiwi Lake EP 37. It would be at least a couple of hours drive through Ely and on to the North Shore before you headed north towards the Sawbill Trail or some other road that headed inland. Kawishiwi Lake is closest to the town of Tofte.

Lindylair may be thinking of Kawishiwi River EP's (North or South), and his comments would make a lot of sense from that perspective about where to camp the night before if Kawishiwi River EP's were your target.

Second, I am pretty sure that the Americinn in Tofte requires at least a 2-night stay. Could be 3 nights. I base this on my own inquiry regarding an earlier in the summer (July) reservation search a few weeks ago and in the past couple of years. The Americinn in Silver Bay does offer 1-niters, but they are not cheap. Plan on at least a $200 a night.

I think your best bets are the Kawishiwi Lake campsites, Temperance River, or Sawbill Lake USFS campgrounds.

Tom
straighthairedcurly
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02/12/2023 09:16PM  
We stayed at Birch Lake campground the night before.
02/13/2023 05:26AM  
quark, you are right...sorry about that. We are staying there the night before our late May LIS 14 trip and it is close to that EP. My bad.

A bit further on from Sawbill as you head east are Baker Lake campground and Crescent Lake campground which could be options too. Baker Lake is a very small campground with a handful of sites but they are pretty good. Crescent is a bigger campground with many nice sites, some reserveable and some not.
02/13/2023 11:29AM  
Last summer I stayed at the Cascade Lodge the night before my EP 37 entry. Reasonably priced and not too horridly far away- and they did not have a 2 night minimum stay.
02/13/2023 01:19PM  
I like Finland campground on the Baptism River. It's a nice campground, cheap, and always available. There is a nice cafe nearby as well. It is a bit of a drive on the backroads to Kawishiwi Lake but I really enjoy the drive.
Northwoodsman
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02/13/2023 03:04PM  
I would recommend Sawbill Lake Campground also. Bring an extra tent and throw it in your vehicle so you don't have to pack it up. Possibly an extra sleeping bag as well. You could even get a hot shower the morning of your departure or the night before if you wanted. They have a nice little store too. You could even rent a tent, sleeping bag and pad from them for the night before if you wanted.
02/13/2023 03:45PM  
I’ve been lucky both trips to EP 37 and was able score one of the 5 lakeside campsites. Plan B would be the Sawbill campground. It’s only a half hour drive or so. And hit it for a shower on the way out. Bring a towel or I think they charge $3 or something like that. I think we drove over the night before we put in anyway to get some last minute supplies.
LetsGoFishing
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02/14/2023 02:02PM  
I stayed at the CliffDweller in Tofte when I went in at Kawishiwi and Baker entries. It's about an hour drive. You rent canoes at Sawtooth Outfitters which is also in Tofte, so you are not going out of your way to get gear.

It's been at least 6 or 7 years since I went that way. From the looks of it, it appears Cliff Dwellers might have updated their rooms.
02/14/2023 02:09PM  
I just checked the Cliffdweller website, and at least near the end of July, there is a 2-night minimum stay.

Tom
AlexanderSupertramp
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02/14/2023 04:25PM  
I wouldn't rule out just staying in Duluth and leaving early. I live in Duluth so that's always the easy call for me I guess, I just get my permit the day before at USFS headquarters here in town and hit the road at 4-4:30am. For the cost of the hotels along the shore its a no brainer, in the event you cant find a camping spot at least. Or if you're cool with car camping, just find a random USFS road and pull into a turn-off for the night.
HowardSprague
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02/14/2023 08:18PM  
We did a trip from EP 37 one year, and just stayed at a bunkhouse (VNO) in Ely, got up had breakfast and drove to Kawishiwi entry point. I think it took us 1-1/2hrs (to 1:45?) to get there and we shoved off by 11 or so. Got to Polly a little late and took the last campsite, but could have camped on Koma or something the first day. Worked out fine, and the drive wasn't such a bad thing.

Post trip, headed to Sawbill for showers.
02/20/2023 03:12PM  
quark2222: "I just checked the Cliffdweller website, and at least near the end of July, there is a 2-night minimum stay.


Tom"


Been that way since the pandemic hit.
02/20/2023 09:19PM  
Once for a 37 entry, we stayed at the Knotted Pine Inn and Tavern near Isabella. Not sure what their status or min stay is now.
papalambeau
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02/21/2023 11:13AM  
cowdoc: "Once for a 37 entry, we stayed at the Knotted Pine Inn and Tavern near Isabella. Not sure what their status or min stay is now."

We did the same at the Knotted Pine Inn and Tavern for EP 37. Worked out well and the food was ok too!
PTM
Guest Paddler
  
02/22/2023 08:10AM  
Try Ely Outdoors. Ryan's a fine proprietor of this straightforward option with a distinctly retro decor.
YetiJedi
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02/22/2023 08:52AM  
PTM: "Try Ely Outdoors. Ryan's a fine proprietor of this straightforward option with a distinctly retro decor."


+1. He's helped me for years and does an excellent job.
 
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