I have been on many bwca trips before father, but next summer will be my first with my 5 year old son. My father will be going as well.

We plan on leaving from Ely. We believe(key word) we will be able to paddle about 3-4 hours before he is cranky. He has been camping and canoeing before, just not this type of canoeing.

We are more interested in base camping with him and taking day trips with some decent fishing from shore and possible swimming nearby????

Can you recommend any good entry points to head out of?

I have thought about South Hegman and Hog Creek, any preferences?

Many thanks.

moose,

My wife and I took our 5 year old daughter on her first overnight trip at the end of July to Hog Creek based on the recommendations of many people on this site.

Here is a link to a thread with some info and pictures from our trip 5 year old is hooked

We took our 5 and 3 year olds on a day trip at Hegman in June. That would also be a good place to enter.

Agree on ducks recommendations and have done both with kids.

Also consider Baker, Homer, Kawishiwi, Cross Bay, Island River, and Isabella. I think you'll have a fine time and be surprised how well he does when busy helping paddle or hunt for eagles, or just snacking on goldfish.

Thanks so much, so if you had to choose, Hog or Hegman what would it be?

For an overnight trip I'd prefer Hog. I think of Hegman as more of a daytrip destination, but it could still be a good overnighter also.


It is a good 2-4 hours to a campsite from the E.P.(depending on wind, open sites etc) entering at Hog. Entering at Hegman you could be at a campsite much sooner. We didn't catch any fish from shore (my daughter spent a lot of time fishing at camp) on Perent but she did do well catching walleye when we convinced her to try fishing from the canoe. She caught smallies from shore on our Hegman daytrip. Wind/waves can be an issue on Perent and I don't think they'd cause nearly as much trouble at Hegman.

If you decide on Hog I would try to enter on a Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed. if possible because it is known as a "weekender" ep. People that I read about entering on a Fri./Sat. didn't have much for open sites. We entered on a Monday and only 2 of 10 sites we checked out were occupied. Also, try to hit the E.P. as early as possible in the morning to try and avoid wind problems on Perent.

Wherever you choose to go you'll have a great time and you'll be giving your son a wonderful gift.

You'll have two adults paddling, so I think you can handle either route.

Hog creek will look like you are on safari for a couple hours - paddling an S shaped creek back and forth with high grasses on either side sometimes. Pretty cool and "different" feel than northwoods. Beaver dam pullovers are the norm. Then you bust out onto a decent sized lake where you can camp and take day trips up the river.

Hegman you will have a short paddle (minutes) if you stay right on S Hegman... (first site on right is decent, if rocky). Then you can day trip to the pictos (well worth it!) and beyond if you aren't deterred by one long portage.

Two of my kiddos did Hog Creek from the bow with only dad in stern before they each started kindergarten. Once, there was wind, but not enough to keep them ashore. I've stayed on an island Perent site before that was nice and open, with good swimming.

Have a great time wherever you end up!

Thanks all,

I guess what I am looking for is paddling a few hours and then base camping with the possibility of taking day trips to other lakes if possible. It looks like hog creek does not provide the day trip option. Hegman provides the day trip options if I stayed on one of the surrounding lakes (which if we went I would stay on to avoid the crowds) but not the ability to paddle a few hours to get there.

Any other EP's you may suggest?

Other options:

Kawishiwi EP 29: Easy access in from boat landing on Ojibway Lake. Base camp where the Kawishiwi river splits north/south branches. Scenic river either way you go. Options to explore both branches of the river. Or take side trip east with short portages to number lakes.

Kawishiwi EP 32: Base camp along the river with day trip options to Clear or Gabbro Lakes or further NE along the S Kawishiwi.

Isabella Island River EP 34: Base camp around the Rice Lake area with day trips into Isabella Lake to the east or take the river west towards Quadga, or Little Isabella River. Moose viewing region with scenic bogs and lowlands which could be a little buggy in summer.

Mudro EP 23: Basecamp at Tin Can Mike. First campsite on the left/north has active beaver family nearby. Day trips to Horse Lake or river, Fourtown or Boot. Logging/resort relics on Horse and Fourtown.

As you probably know, some of these areas will be busier than others. Usually seclusion means longer portages or distances, which, as you are aware, isn't as easy with young kids. For our trips, we just try to locate a campsite that is more tucked away from a busier area.

Seems like your thinking it through well, and will come up with a memorable vacation!

Lake one? Hog? Slim into rice? All but hog are very close to Ely. Slim is one of my favorite lakes and is very easy to get to.

quote whiteh20: "Lake one? Hog? Slim into rice? All but hog are very close to Ely. Slim is one of my favorite lakes and is very easy to get to."

I've been considering Slim for a first overnight destination for my kids. When you've been there, have you noticed if it's hard to find an unoccupied campsite? That's my biggest concern with taking a 3yr and 5yr into the BWCA.

Any campsite with beaches! The are some off sawbill some of parent, so
Some on lake 2

I'm taking the family on a longer reck this summer t loon. Great beaches on loon

quote Woodtick: "... have you noticed if it's hard to find an unoccupied campsite? That's my biggest concern with taking a 3yr and 5yr into the BWCA."

It's still my biggest concern and kids are 12,11, and 8 now. Sucks being so rushed to find a place to set up. Even in May/September, I worry.

I have not had any real problems due to the fact Slim is kinda a dead end loop unless willing to do some very major and very tough portages. Have seen some daily trippers out of Ely but not a problem.
You might want to look at larch creek off the gunflint as well.

quote whiteh20: "I have not had any real problems due to the fact Slim is kinda a dead end loop unless willing to do some very major and very tough portages. Have seen some daily trippers out of Ely but not a problem.
You might want to look at larch creek off the gunflint as well."

Thanks for the info. I think we'll have to give it a try when the time comes.