I am trying to plan a BWCA trip with a buddy for mid-October and am looking for a new entry point recommendation, having already done EPs 23, 25, 38, 60, and 77. I would like to stay away from the Gunflint side just because of the extra drive.

I have been to the BWCA a bunch of times, but this will be my friend's very first time. I want to find a route that avoids the most recent 2026 burn areas, stays away from high-traffic lakes with high campsite density, bypasses low-water river dragging, and features a great day-trip or sightseeing destination like a cliff lookout, waterfall, pictographs, or historic site. I know that is a very picky list, but just trying to find a good option

aluminumcanoesarethebest: "I am trying to plan a BWCA trip with a buddy for mid-October and am looking for a new entry point recommendation, having already done EPs 23, 25, 38, 60, and 77. I would like to stay away from the Gunflint side just because of the extra drive. I have been to the BWCA a bunch of times, but this will be my friend's very first time, so I want to find a route that avoids the most recent 2026 burn areas, stays away from high-traffic lakes with high campsite density, bypasses low-water river dragging, and features a great day-trip or sightseeing destination like a cliff lookout, waterfall, pictographs, or historic site. I know that is a very picky list, but just trying to find a good option"

Option One:

Entry point #37 - Kawishiwi Lake (not all the way to and up the Gunflint, but away from the 2026 burn areas.). You will pass through the far east point of the Pagami Creek Fire area. Nice River paddle with little chance of dragging the through low water. Portages are relatively flat and easy to find. Malberg Lake has great campsites with good distance between. It is a long day in and a long day out. I think it meets most of your criteria

Travel to Malberg Lake - base camp.
Day trips include:
Southwest to Fishdance Lake for the pictographs and cliff climb (same cliff). Continue along the scenic Kawishiwi River portage(s) to Alice Lake. Or paddle into Amber Lake to visit the sand beach. (You may not need this if you get one of the beach campsites on Malberg.)

Northeast portage off Malberg has a nice canyon waterfall. Continue northeast to Makwa Lake for a very large cliff.

East along the Louse river for great wilderness feel to Boze/Frond Lakes.

Northwest to Boulder/Adams Lake area for another little visited area of the wilderness. (There may be some canoe dragging here.)

Hope you have a great trip!

You forgot to mention epic fishing! I wouldn't worry about crowds at all in October, no matter where you go you won't see many folks so I'm going to suggest Lake One. If you're like me you'd never take a permit like Lake One in peak season, so October makes for the perfect time to see this quintessential BWCA chain. I don't know how fast you move but I'd shoot for Alice night 2. Take a trip over to the pictograph on Fishdance (it doubles as a cool cliff). If you have two vehicles or pay for a shuttle, you can exit Snowbank. If you do, and you have another extra day, there's a bunch of hiking trails you can check out once you get past Thomas and there's also a waterfall at the northwest end of Cattyman Lake that shouldn't be missed. Enjoy your trip!

Kinda funny that the two suggestions so far represent closely the two trips I did this year.

You didn't mention how long you are planning, but I'll assume 5-6 nights.

Between these two options, I would do Lake One, especially if you can arrange a ride so you can exit on Snowbank. Z4K is spot on - get to Alice (will likely take two days) and spend two nights there with a day trip to the Fishdance Pictographs in between. From Alice make your way to Ima or Jordan allowing for a visit to Cattyman Falls. Then wrap up the trip on Disappointment for some great fishing.

Thank you, this is all very helpful information! The trip will be shorter: 4 days, 3 nights. Leaning more towards entering on snowbank and heading towards Ima, there appear to be a lot of attractions such as the Jordan Lake pictographs, Cattyman Falls, and the Old Pines Loop Hiking Spur. All the attractions are not as far as Malberg to the Fishdance pictographs. I am aware of the wind concern on snowbank, but won't be on it for long. Will look into the number lakes. Thanks again!