BWCA Big Island Wilderness Boundary Waters Group Forum: Other Canoe Camping Locations
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   Group Forum: Other Canoe Camping Locations
      Big Island Wilderness     

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cheesehead
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05/24/2010 09:46PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I am not able to do my annual bwca spring trip and i think i am going to give this a try with my ten year old daughter. Has anyone been there and have some information on it? I know so far you dont need a permit and there are no designated campsites. a map costs 5 dollars and you need to mail a check or pick it up in person in Munising. thats about all i got so anything would be helpful.
 
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05/25/2010 12:15PM  
quote cheesehead: " I am not able to do my annual bwca spring trip and i think i am going to give this a try with my ten year old daughter. Has anyone been there and have some information on it? I know so far you dont need a permit and there are no designated campsites. a map costs 5 dollars and you need to mail a check or pick it up in person in Munising. thats about all i got so anything would be helpful."


This is more than what I've got...I don't even know where it is. ;-) Is that in the UP?
 
cheesehead
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05/25/2010 10:26PM  
yes it is.
 
heavycanoe
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05/26/2010 05:16PM  
I don't have any help, but please report back when you return.
 
05/26/2010 06:56PM  
Ive never paddled it. My son paddled the Indian River at Steuben, which is now part of the Steuben Water Trail. Its south of Munising, Mi




I've added to the list of places I want to visit here in Michigan.
 
The Lorax
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05/26/2010 08:07PM  
Interesting
 
05/31/2010 07:51AM  
Big Island Wilderness is part of the Hiawatha National Forest just like the BWCA is part of the Superior National Forest. BTW Sylvania is part of the Hiawatha National Forest as well. Never been to BIW but I bet it is nice.

Here is the
Big Island Wilderness webpage.

I find it interesting that radios are considered mechanical devices and are not allowed. It looks thatthere are designated sites, though you can camp at non-designated campsites but then are not allowed a fire.
 
05/31/2010 08:05AM  
Here's another link to the BILW Map that OG provided. The $5 map that the Forest Service sells you may be the same. When I did Sylvania it was the same kind of map. I laminated it to make it waterproof. It sounds weird, but I think you can navigate fine with that map. These lakes and trails are not like the BWCA. They are much, much smaller. Notice the longest portage by far is 1800 feet, which is a little over 100 rods, and my guess is that they will be a "walk in the park". Sylvania was. There isn't the rock like in the BWCA. I think you'll also find the lakes to be ponds by BWCA standards.
 
cheesehead
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06/09/2010 08:04PM  
the fishing was good and it was quiet. not long portages and small lakes like we figured, but i will go there again. it has hills and clear water just no rocks. i didnt find any bad campsites. if you want somewhere to go and dont want much paddling or portaging this is the place. out of state fishing license cost me $42.00 for the annual and it covers all species. i saw 2 people when i was walking in and they were locals out fishing and then about 4 lakes in i ran into another 2 guys fishing. the whole area around there was nice.
 
06/10/2010 11:14AM  
Cheesehead, thanks for the information. I was thinking about doing a BWCA solo this fall, but I think I'll do the BIW instead.
 
06/10/2010 11:19AM  
Did you need a permit? If so, where did you get it?
 
The Lorax
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06/10/2010 05:15PM  
Where did you go in at? How was the trailhead parking situation?
 
cheesehead
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06/11/2010 07:00AM  
no permit needed, it does not get alot of traffic. i went to the Munising ranger station first and bought the map. its about 20 miles south of Munising, i took hwy 13 down to f.r. 2173 and followed that until i hit a tee in the road it wasnt marked 2254 but thats the name of it and i took a left and the trail head was up about a mile or two. if you want a map you have to get it in person or mail them a check. i tried using a credit card but they told me they didnt do that. the number is 906 387 3700. its a nice waterproof map with lots of other lakes and the Indian River is on it and it shows all the campsites on the river. i want to do a trip down the Indian River now. The best fishing was on Big Island Lake anywhere along lilly pads. i dont know what to say about the parking but it was ample and seemed safe i didnt have any problems.
 
06/11/2010 11:26AM  
I like your emblem on the canoe.
 
06/11/2010 11:26AM  
I like your emblem on the canoe.
 
cheesehead
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06/11/2010 03:51PM  
thanks, i borrowed it from rutabaga.
 
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