Trying to gauge exactly how busy it will be for our trip. Heading in on August 11th, coming out on the 18th. Who else will I have to battle for campsites lol? XD

That being said, I will be at the boat house around lunchtime on the 10th if anyone wants to pop by and say hey. Love the sense of community in this forum and would love to put some names to faces. Looking into a custom "Deeznuts" t shirt so I should be easy to spot.

Bump

We have a pretty rigorous route planned, just want to gauge the busy-ness of the area if yall could indulge me

No current experience but my way of estimating crowding is review of reservations at Rec.gov for the week prior to my entry and a few days after. If most reservations are filled it will be busy and if not celebration time.

Just spent 4 days in that neck of woods. Shell and Lynx were quiet. I believe 2-3 of 5 sites on Lynx were open while I camped at north end, and on the way back I checked out 5 empty sites on Shell before settling on middle Con Island site. The lone site on Little Shell was open on way in and occupied on way out.

I've been seeing a lot of permit cancels for that time frame. Might be less than expected unless someone grabs them up. Check Recreation.gov and see permit availability for those days. I keep hoping for one that cancels for 7/25 but I'm getting down to the wire.
That was my original planned EP this year but was late to the party and they all got snagged up.

It was nearly empty last week. Went in at 14 and saw a total of 7 canoes in 6 days. Most campsites were open. We saw 1 occupied on Loon. None on Little Loon, Slim, Pauness, Heritage, Slim, and 1 on Lynx, and non on Little Shell or Shell. Crazy

It was nearly empty last week. Went in at 14 and saw a total of 7 canoes in 6 days. Most campsites were open. We saw 1 occupied on Loon. None on Little Loon, Slim, Pauness, Heritage, Slim, and 1 on Lynx, and non on Little Shell or Shell. Crazy

Ive been in and up to Shell/Loon twice on day trips in the past few weeks and it was quiet. Saw a few canoes, but lots of vacant campsites. Parking lot was only 1/3- 1/2 full. That’s rare. I wouldn’t be surprised if the USFS adds a permit per day next year.

Tony

mmarksnp: "It was nearly empty last week. Went in at 14 and saw a total of 7 canoes in 6 days. Most campsites were open. We saw 1 occupied on Loon. None on Little Loon, Slim, Pauness, Heritage, Slim, and 1 on Lynx, and non on Little Shell or Shell. Crazy
"

I would be ecstatic if this happened in a few weeks when I am up there. I'm planning for just the opposite...

Exciting news! I've seen 3 or 4 permits cancelled in just the last few days. Here's to hoping it won't be super busy in August!