BWCA Curtain Falls - best EP? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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DucksandBucks
  
08/02/2026 06:55PM  
What entry point would be the best for Curtain Falls?
 
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TuscaroraBorealis
Moderator
distinguished member(6016)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
08/03/2026 09:10AM  
Without some qualifying criteria its difficult to answer. Are you looking for the quickest way there? If you're getting a tow: Little Vermilion EP #12

Stuart Lake EP #19 or Moose River #16 are excellent paddle only options. Although I suspect you will encounter extensive areas that have been/are being burned.
 
plander
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08/03/2026 11:13AM  
Tow from Crane Lake to Bottle Portage for which you need the EP 12 permit.
 
Z4K
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08/03/2026 01:38PM  
For me, the best possible trip to take that visits Curtain Falls would start at either EP 69 John Lake or EP 70 North Fowl.
 
mgraber
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08/03/2026 03:51PM  
We always took Moose River North(16). Might be a little crispy up that way, campsites and portages could be obliterated from the fires.
 
08/04/2026 07:23AM  
I don’t think any entry point that leads to Curtain Falls or the Curtain Falls area itself will be open this year. Even once they get the fires put out, the area will remain unsafe for awhile. When I was up there last week, I was told the fires often burn the roots/lower portion of the trees, then the tree gradually dies and you literally have potential deadfall’s everywhere that a slight wind can knock over.

I’ll preface this I am no expert…just saying be prepared.

T
 
NEIowapaddler
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08/04/2026 12:12PM  
Z4K: "For me, the best possible trip to take that visits Curtain Falls would start at either EP 69 John Lake or EP 70 North Fowl."


What? Those EPs are literally as far from Curtain Falls as you can get
 
Z4K
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08/04/2026 09:25PM  
NEIowapaddler: "
Z4K: "For me, the best possible trip to take that visits Curtain Falls would start at either EP 69 John Lake or EP 70 North Fowl."

What? Those EPs are literally as far from Curtain Falls as you can get "


Exactly! Most people are suggesting 'fastest' 'easiest' or 'most traveled' routes... The OP asked for the 'best'!
 
NEIowapaddler
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08/05/2026 06:43AM  
Z4K: "
NEIowapaddler: "
Z4K: "For me, the best possible trip to take that visits Curtain Falls would start at either EP 69 John Lake or EP 70 North Fowl."

What? Those EPs are literally as far from Curtain Falls as you can get "



Exactly! Most people are suggesting 'fastest' 'easiest' or 'most traveled' routes... The OP asked for the 'best'!"


I guess we have different definitions of "best" lol. Although now I am curious how many people visit Curtain Falls starting from those EPs...
 
pastorjsackett
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08/10/2026 01:52PM  
This past June we went up Angleworm to Friday Bay and over to Iron and on to Curtain.

Fun trip. I had never been to those falls before. Impressive.
 
YaMarVa
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08/10/2026 01:56PM  
pastorjsackett: "This past June we went up Angleworm to Friday Bay and over to Iron and on to Curtain.


Fun trip. I had never been to those falls before. Impressive."


Good timing, that route will sure look different now.
 
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