Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and wanted to say a quick hello.

I live in the UK and I'm in the very early stages of planning a BW trip for September 2026.

This is going to be my first visit to the US, and as I've got the whole of September free I'm thinking of an RV road trip after my canoe expedition. Any suggestions very welcome.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as my plans progress!

Welcome aboard! You'll get lots of response to questions here. The BWCA trip followed by an RV road trip sounds great.

TZ

Welcome aboard! If you ask more specific questions, everyone will offer great advice. My advice is to hook up with an outfitter to plan a trip. Piragis is a great place to start on the Ely side, but most outfitters are great.

Welcome FirstEagle! Lots of great info here. Good luck with your planning!

Welcome aboard! Thrilled to hear you’re coming all the way here! Just don’t get addicted. It can be a spendy habit.

Fritty

Welcome!

Welcome and keep asking questions. The upper Midwest actually has a lot to offer. To the east into Michigan there will be more forested areas. To the west, the prairies. A trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota is a must in my opinion. Just don't get bored traveling the flat grasslands and farmland between eastern Minnesota and the western Dakotas.

Welcome to the board!

That is quite the trip for your first to the US. BWCA is certainly one of the most beautiful places in Minnesota, if not the entire US. Living in Minnesota, my opinion may not be seen as impartial haha.

As some others have said, ask whatever question you may have, someone here will be more than happy to answer. I'd also suggest using the search, as many of my first timer questions were previously answered.

Outfitters are also a great resource to send emails to. They are all more than willing to answer questions, route plan, outfitting planning, ect.

Welcome! Good to have someone from across the pond. You will find canoe country to be a very special place. As far as a road trip it might help if we knew what it was you were interested in. Big cities,mountains, wildlife, historicic sites (history is a bit limited compared to Uk, lol) etc. US is a big place, I’m 60 and feel like I’ve barely experienced it. As far as some favorites fairly near BW. Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, Rocky Moutain Np, The Black Hills and the NP’s in and around them. If you try to see too much you end up seeing nothing. Have fun!

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I've decided on the outfitter I'm going to go with following a recommendation from my friend who visited a few years ago. Cliff Wolds is the company. I'll be making a reservation and contacting them soon, very exciting!

For my road trip, it's all about photography, experiencing wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and hiking. Britain has some beautiful isolated spots, but popular areas can be very busy indeed. I think I'll find the size of America quite mind blowing!

I'm very much looking forward to visiting your wonderful country, meeting new people and having the experience of a lifetime.

I've used Cliff Wolds for 7-8 years now. Good choice,IMHO. Ryan and the crew do a good job making your trip easy and enjoyable. I only rent the canoe from them, but I have never been disappointed with any aspect of their services.

Bearpath9: "I've used Cliff Wolds for 7-8 years now. Good choice,IMHO. Ryan and the crew do a good job making your trip easy and enjoyable. I only rent the canoe from them, but I have never been disappointed with any aspect of their services."

Same here. Ryan does a great job. He and his staff will take care of you.

FirstEagle: "For my road trip, it's all about photography, experiencing wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and hiking. Britain has some beautiful isolated spots, but popular areas can be very busy indeed. I think I'll find the size of America quite mind blowing!
I'm very much looking forward to visiting your wonderful country, meeting new people and having the experience of a lifetime."
"

Yep, go west after your canoe trip.
You won't find those landscapes in the UK.

Thanks for the replies :)

Good to hear other positives for Cliff Wolds & Ryan, I'm definitely going to go with them.

Thanks inspector13 for the tip to head west. Hiking in some of the parks/trails somewhere in North Dakota is now the plan. Be great to hear what recommendations people have for that part of my trip!

One place I'd recommend for you is The Badlands.

Welcome. Good outfitter choice. My only recommendation for places to visit is to stay in Minnesota. The North Shore should not be missed. Also one of the best hiking trails in the country along Superior. The driftless area in the Southeast is like nothing in Europe except maybe the Rhine gorge. If you want to see this country the way it once was, the Luverne prairie is like nothing else. I would not waste time driving to the Dakotas when you can see the incredible variety of the nation’s best state park system. Some even have cabins to rent. When I visit your part of the world I like to immerse myself in places and meet people, not do the grand tour thing. If you want to go west I would not drive, but take the train. The Canadian rail trip is breath-taking. Oh yes, one other thing. DO NOT just drive through Ely. Spend a few days in town. No other place has such a history (mining, logging, resorts) and variety of historical sites. See the Ely mine (and the one in Tower) plus a long list of other sites. The guides at the Ely mine are former miners. There is a great online walking tour of the downtown area. Visit the Ely-Winton historical society. See Dorothy’s and the wolf and bear museums. Stop into one of the local pubs/bars and meet folks (I am a fan of Samz because it is a bit out of the way and not a tourist trap). Have dinner at Burntside Lodge, which is also on the national register. Get to know Ely. You won’t regret it. It is as rare and special as the BWCA. Where else might you run into a polar explorer downtown.

That's a great reply, thank you for taking the time to give me some pointers, that'll really help me getting a definite plan together.

I'm going to stick to the area around Ely post BW, rather than driving hundreds of miles to another area.

Things are beginning to come together!

Glad to be of help. Ryan and others at Cliff Wold can also supply ideas about places to see in the area and places to stay. The GEL (Grand Ely Lodge) is one overnight possibility and worth a lunch visit just to see the main area, plus it is across from the old mine. One site I left out that is worth a short day trip are the pictographs on Hegman Lake. The BW has a bunch of these and maybe Ryan can route you by some of them, but if not Hegman is worth the trip (you will need a day permit which Ryan can help with). Online photos do not do them justice. I think too many people just give Ely an afterthought without realizing how special it is. The US also has a thousand years of history and it is right in the Ely area. Feel free to PM as your trip gets closer.

I'd like to give a shout out to WI as well as a possible close destination. The waterfalls of northern Wisconsin and just into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are beautiful. The St. Croix bluffs/cliffs near St. Croix Falls (Interstate State Park - WI) offer unique landscape shaped by the river.

Lastly, the Driftless area in southwest Wisconsin is very unique. You have an opportunity to paddle a lazy river, the Kickapoo River, as you pass by/along/sometimes under sandstone and limestone cliffs that have been carved out by the waters.

As an earlier post mentioned, you do not need to head very far to experience the beauty of the US - we have an amazing amount of it in the upper Midwest.


Photo of paddling on the Kickapoo

But you can't see "true mountains" unless you travel farther west or east. Don't get me wrong, I like the views the immediate region gives, but as for elevation this is about as good as it gets.

The picture would have been better without the Canadian wildfire smoke.

Very true about the mountains being spectacular and nothing like them here. We are drawn to them and have been there several times. Estes Park, CO and Rocky Mt NP is only about 15-17 hrs from MN/WI so it is definitely drivable. I'd agree with the seeing the mountains on trip list.

More great info everyone, much appreciated.

I have a tendency to get overwhelmed when I'm planning a trip, trying to cram too much in. As mentioned earlier, try to see too much, end up seeing nothing.

I've really got some fantastic suggestions now. I think I'll have to plan a follow-up trip in 2027!

If I can ever help anybody with any questions about the UK, don't hesitate to ask.
There's some gorgeous paddling and wild camping locations.

I'll keep posting on here as my itinerary comes together!

FirstEagle: "I'll keep posting on here as my itinerary comes together!"

Please do so. And yes, I once saw a trip report by member "Miss Molly" taking a paddle trip in England. I would have linked it but I find navigating by phone more difficult than computer.

inspector13: "

FirstEagle: "I'll keep posting on here as my itinerary comes together!"

Please do so. And yes, I once saw a trip report by member "Miss Molly" taking a paddle trip in England. I would have linked it but I find navigating by phone more difficult than computer."

My favourite locations are the Lake District in England and pretty much anywhere in the Scottish Highlands. One of my favourite trips is the river Spey in Scotland, Aviemore to Spey bay is one of the classic routes, the Great Glen trail being another.

Here's me on the Spey, and a random picture of 'Old John' a folly in the English Midlands. A building with no real purpose these days except enhancing the landscape. This is on Bradgate park, famous as the home of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen. Well worth a visit for anyone who appreciates history!

Thanks!

I'm bumping this up so up it keeps relative to to the conversation.