I have a BWCA trip planned with my wife in August, so only two of us with one canoe. Is there an unwritten rule that we should only select smaller campsites? If we select a large campsite that is clearly intended for a larger group of 6+, are there any issues with that?

First come, first served. If our group size was only two, we "might" consider a smaller site if it was nearby. Time of day, weather, seeing other groups on the water, etc. could influence us one way or the other.

You know it would happen though... our group of two, in an effort to be courteous, passes on the larger campsite so a larger group could use it, then a half hour later, another group of two comes through and takes it.

In the end, we're probably taking the nice campsite.

I always select the site that fits what I need at the moment. Sometimes that is a site that someone has told me was great. Sometimes it is the best available at the time due to time of day or weather.

None whatsoever. First come, first served. If you’re a large group be aware of the fact that you might be limited in what sites you can use-so plan accordingly. I travel solo or in a small group with the idea of getting the “best” site on a lake.

By all means stay at whatever open campsite you like!

In my opinion, every site can fit 1-9 people. May need to have some creativity if you have a large group and there’s a small site… but there’s still room guaranteed.

Jackfish: "You know it would happen though... our group of two, in an effort to be courteous, passes on the larger campsite so a larger group could use it, then a half hour later, another group of two comes through and takes it. "

Yep, totally. Or, no one at all comes by looking for a site that day. Most often there’s no way to know who might come through the lake you’re on, looking to camp. It could be several large groups or it could be no one. I generally take the unoccupied site that suits me that day, though I tend to prefer smaller sites over larger ones.

Another scenario, You and your partner pick a beautiful but large campsite and a group comes by an hour before dusk. We invite them to share the site if they wish.

I was on my first solo and landed on a spot on Tiger Bay on Lac La Croix that could have housed an army. I have to admit I felt kinda weird about that, like dude this is a tad overkill, but things were quiet, didn't have much interaction with anyone past the portages in, so it was ok. It's a big lake and I was snug on my first solo so I stayed there for 3-4 days.

My small group has just as much right to the niceties of the large campsites as any large group. Easy landings, nice view, great kitchen setup, nice tarp hang, easy toilet access, great bear bag hang, etc.

Unfortunately, some of those sites also come with overuse drawbacks: less duff-more mud, more erosion, full (smelly) toilets, bowl shaped tent pads, more litter, more damage to flora, more chance of bears wandering in, less available firewood, etc.

Campsite choice can be very personal. Campers value different amenities. Figure out what is important to you and go find it.

Unlike the rest of life, when choosing a campsite size does NOT matter. :)

THEGrandRapids: "In my opinion, every site can fit 1-9 people. May need to have some creativity if you have a large group and there’s a small site… but there’s still room guaranteed. "

Agreed!

egknuti: "None whatsoever. First come, first served. If you’re a large group be aware of the fact that you might be limited in what sites you can use-so plan accordingly. I travel solo or in a small group with the idea of getting the “best” site on a lake. "

Ditto. I justify using a bigger site when I'm solo, because I got out early and put in the work and want to enjoy a nice site at the end of the day, also I want to familiarize myself with sites with the goal of bringing others back.

scat: "I was on my first solo and landed on a spot on Tiger Bay on Lac La Croix that could have housed an army. I have to admit I felt kinda weird about that, like dude this is a tad overkill, but things were quiet, didn't have much interaction with anyone past the portages in, so it was ok. It's a big lake and I was snug on my first solo so I stayed there for 3-4 days."

Is that the three-tiered spot looking northwest? I've stayed there several times; it's probably my favorite campsite.

It prob is the same site. It was the first on the north shore entering Tiger Bay, on the point. Yeah that site is a beauty, I think I remember there being the perfect canoe landing, like a little lagoon formed by 2 flat rocks you can pull your boat into. I think I just left it there for the week when in camp. Like I said, I kinda felt guilty having such a large site to myself but the only other people I encountered on the trip was 4 guys in 2 canoes on the river humping in and one said something like I bet that canoe sucks in the wind with kind of a jag tone, I had rented a Prism, first solo trip. So that said it motivated me to beat them into Lac La Criox to get the best site. I won that battle, I saw them a short bit after going to a site across the bay. Def recommended that site for a large group, it was a tad overkill for one solo tripper. Bought my own Prism soon after for $700 and it doesn’t suck in the wind haha. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Cheers scat

Completely agree with all. I take the site I want.

Mike

Many of the “large” sites only got that way because people ignored the existing tent sites and created new ones by trampling and clearing vegetation. The last thing I would feel guilty about is settling in with a small group that respects the resource and protects it for future generations.

Stay where you want, fcfs.It would definitely be curteous to pick a size appropriate sight, but I only do that if it is fairly convenient.

It is first come first served. But don't be locked into looking for site or rejecting a site based on on-line ratings. I find that many times that what others feel about a particular site is very different than what I do. I echo the comment that says find what YOU like and go for it.

I stayed at that one a couple times. Awesome campsite. That area is chock-full of great campsites though.

mmarksnp: "
It is first come first served. But don't be locked into looking for site or rejecting a site based on on-line ratings. I find that many times that what others feel about a particular site is very different than what I do. I echo the comment that says find what YOU like and go for it.


"

Just happened to me. Saw the higher rated ones on one side of the lake so I stayed on that side when I was looking. The next days I visited the other side and checked the sites out and I would have rated those higher.