Planning to head up to Lake Isabella in a few days. Have reviewed the online map for this lake (bwca.com) and note 7 campsites are designated as "open" (red dots). The bwca.com map also indicates six other "points of interest" (purple dots, details suggest also campsites). Yet the details are mixed and confusing: 1) some listed as "closed"; 2) some listed as "open"; and 3) others listed as "closed" in the intro, but then in the details are listed as "open". Seems many of these closures are related to 2011 Pagami Creek Fire (duh).

Further, just received the latest McKenzie map (v. 2022) and this suggests different results: 13 total campsites are also indicated, but 4 have 'X's' over them (implying they are 'closed' (total of nine sites).

The weird thing is the 'open' and 'closed' designations don't agree between bwca.com and McKenzie. Any recent info on which Lake Isabella campsites are open and closed?

Thanks in advance

You're going to see discrepancies between all the major map companies and BWCA.com's active map. Generally speaking, for campsite location/portage distance/etc., I find the Voyageur maps to be the most accurate and Mackenzie to be the least in my opinion/experience (fighting words for some).

One major indicator is if you pull up to a campsite on a map and there is a fire grate and a latrine you found an active campsite. I haven't been through Isabella for a handful of years so others might comment with current knowledge, but an outfitter or ranger station would be able to tell you as well.

Here is a screenshot of Isabella Lake from the Voyageur maps to compare.

Portage Runner,

I greatly appreciate your input. Thanks for the info, safe travels

Mike

That area got pretty fried by a forest fire a while back, I think it was 2015. That may explain why some campsites are listed as closed. It might have recovered ok by now, but I am not a fan of camping in burnt out areas, unless it is the Island River, close by, but just for the fishing, not the scenery. Maybe someone else has been on it recently and can give you a more up to date report.

I am a fan of McKenzie maps for their scale/colors/appearances, but I agree, the map data is wrong often!

And yes, the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire burned a ton of campsites, which have slowly been reopening in the years since. For the most part, campsites fall into three categories: sites that were never closed or have reopened since, sites that are still closed that the USFS plans to reopen, and sites that are permanently closed. The best place to check for updates is the USFS maps regarding the fire. They have been fairly consistently updated once a year since the fire. The online maps are often updated once that data comes out or in the months afterwards. The print maps are a complete toss-up, and I wouldn't 100% trust them. As always in wilderness areas, expect the unexpected.

Here is this spring's update from the USFS as pertains to Isabella. Green are open campsites, black are sites that are still closed but will eventually reopen, and you will notice some sites have been removed from the map that are closed for good:

TreeBear: "I am a fan of McKenzie maps for their scale/colors/appearances, but I agree, the map data is wrong often!

And yes, the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire burned a ton of campsites, which have slowly been reopening in the years since. For the most part, campsites fall into three categories: sites that were never closed or have reopened since, sites that are still closed that the USFS plans to reopen, and sites that are permanently closed. The best place to check for updates is the USFS maps regarding the fire. They have been fairly consistently updated once a year since the fire. The online maps are often updated once that data comes out or in the months afterwards. The print maps are a complete toss-up, and I wouldn't 100% trust them. As always in wilderness areas, expect the unexpected.

Here is this spring's update from the USFS as pertains to Isabella. Green are open campsites, black are sites that are still closed but will eventually reopen, and you will notice some sites have been removed
from the map that are closed for good: "

This map is 100% correct. I go through this area several times a year.

MRoche - What was Isabella like on your recent trip? We are going in EP35 at the end of August. 4 of us, and for all intents and purposes, newbies to the BWCA (not counting my trip 30 years ago...) and, as much as I hate to admit, past middle age. Did you stay on Isabella, come out a different place, or ? Thanks for any info, any at all!

1egads: "MRoche - What was Isabella like on your recent trip? We are going in EP35 at the end of August. 4 of us, and for all intents and purposes, newbies to the BWCA (not counting my trip 30 years ago...) and, as much as I hate to admit, past middle age. Did you stay on Isabella, come out a different place, or ? Thanks for any info, any at all!"

Heading up next week, will let you know

Thank you!

The southeast side looks like what people think the BWCA should look like, bigger trees and such since the fire missed this area. Many find the burn areas from the fire unattractive but I find them fascinating. It's amazing to watch how the forest grows as it quickly (on natures scale not ours) as it does. The far NE campsite is a good example, it's in a small grove of trees that somehow survived the fire raging around it. I am sure most would not like it but I found it a thoughtful place showing another side of the BW as it regenerates. A note of caution, this is a big lake that can get rough in the wind. Check out the long range forecast before you leave and see if it might be an issue. You can always duck into Boga on the east end or the river on the west for day trips to get on smaller waters. Just keep in mind where your camp is on Isabella and what kind of wind and waves you might face when you return.

1egads: "MRoche - What was Isabella like on your recent trip? We are going in EP35 at the end of August. 4 of us, and for all intents and purposes, newbies to the BWCA (not counting my trip 30 years ago...) and, as much as I hate to admit, past middle age. Did you stay on Isabella, come out a different place, or ? Thanks for any info, any at all!"

You old folks would enjoy two sites that I can recommend. First one is on east side of Isabella, north of the Perent River mouth. Easy landing, lots of space and great sunset view. Look for flat rocks with a grate a short distance from the water.

Second spot requires an easy portage into Boga, with another shallow spot to navigate after that. This site sits high on a rock, has a good landing for a single canoe at a time and a breezy view of the water.

Have a backup site in mind as both of these are popular in the summer.

Signed,
Guy who might well be older than most of your party

gravelroad:
You old folks would enjoy two sites that I can recommend. First one is on east side of Isabella, north of the Perent River mouth. Easy landing, lots of space and great sunset view. Look for flat rocks with a grate a short distance from the water.
"

I love this campsite, stayed there in 2009, I'm glad that it survived the Pagami fire.

Guy who might be older....THANK YOU!

Also, glad to read about maps; welcome knowledge.

Got back from a glorious time in the BWCAW (went in #35, to Lake Isabella). The USFS map of open campsites seems to be fairly accurate. Did not verify every designated "open" site as "open", but seems accurate. Snagged the SWC campsite on large eastern Island, was awesome. Day tripped around from there. Cleaned up on Walleye and Pike (a few bass and 1 large perch), was a hoot .

Had a couple Walleye dinners, most excellent. The key: "Save" your bacon grease from the morning breakfast. I, literally, can't think of anything more delicious than "Bacon-Fried Walleye" (don't tell my cardiologist, but then (Andy to Red) either "Get Busy Living" or "Get Busy Dying"

MRoche - thank you! We're heading in next Friday, one of our party is an accomplished fisherman, so the fishing report is welcome!

You can literally throw anything at them and be successful (if you give it half a chance): Leaches on jigs, worms, red-devil spoons, meps, etc., etc., etc.

Hade a good group of "fishermen" on our trip: several very accomplished, a couple less so, me even more than less so ("I don't 'go' to the BWCAW to fish, I 'go' to go). I tend to be the 'trolling motor' on the back end, while my son cleans up on the front end. Wouldn't have it any other way

Enjoy your stay, multiple good spots

Just wanted to give everyone a very belated update. We went in at EP34, downriver then upriver to Lake Isabella. Wonderful time, perfect weather, no winds. Got the campsite on the island on the SW corner. Campsite was easy to reach, and about 8-12 feet above waterline, so breezes kept any mosquitos at bay. Did day trips from our site.
The ONLY bad thing is people who played loud music on the other side of the lake, and a group who seemed to think it was important to have a drumming circle at night. All that said, this was a good trip for newbies who were all beyond middle age with hip replacements and whatnot. Came out EP 35, and so glad that we didn't go in that way or the long portage would've put a damper on the trip from the get go.