This summer I am taking my youngest boy on his first BWCA trip. He is 8 and has autism. My wife and I are thinking of going in off East Bearskin as they have a campground there that we could park the RV at in case we need to paddle out.
I was able to get him used to the canoe last summer and he did great, in larger boats he likes to move around and throw anything in reach into the lake, but in the canoe he was fine and really enjoyed being on the water. He also loves to hike. I don't really know of any areas that are close to a public campsite with hiking nearby.
Does anyone in this forum know of a EP with a place to park the RV and some hiking trails in the b-dub? Or have any experience camping with special needs?

Thanks, Brant

Sounds like a fun trip! Maybe look into Lake Jeanette. It's on the far west side of the Bw. Has spots you can paddle to and camp and trails right there.It's not part of the Bw but is close enough to day trip up the LIS or hike the Sioux hustler trail. We are doing something similar this year with our kids. Gonna try and make it to the wolf center and the bear center. Have been by it so many times and we always say "next time". Good luck.

Brant,

Take a look at Sawbill Lake, EP 38. Not only is there a full-service outfitter within a hundred yards, but there is also a Superior National Forest Campground adjacent to the entry point. Sounds like most sites should be able to accommodate an RV, but not all.... "Sites are pull-in and not specifically designed for RVs. Most can accommodate a moderately sized vehicle, some may not be suitable for an RV. There is an RV dump station available."


Superior National Forest - Sawbill Lake Campground

Sawbill Campground Reservations - RECREATION.GOV

We have camped and canoed out of East Bearskin and love it. We have camped in tents and with a small camper. No electric or water hook ups but there is water to be had on site if you have containers.

We also love Sawbill but have only used our tents there but agree that many of the sites are big enough for RVs and are used by RVers. Lots of easy day paddles out of Sawbill.

If you like a water and electric hook up you could also look at camping at Fall Lake Campground

Fall Lake EP 24 has direct access to BWCA lakes and there are more EPs further up the Fernberg Trail if you feel like driving and exploring different lakes for the day.

The Fall Lake campground is close enough to Ely that you can drive in for groceries or ice if need be.

Two other options come to mind:

Fenske Lake Campground (I'd call to check with them about sites for the RV). You can canoe and camp on non-BWCA lakes from there, leaving from their dock. Very little motor traffic, especially after you leave Fenske.

Slim Lake EP (not sure where you would park the RV). The southernmost campsite on Slim has a bunch of hiking trails that you can access right from camp. It would be a slight gamble as to whether you could get that campsite, of course (perhaps enter on a weekday?)

I have 3 kids with various special needs - now ages 12-14-15. 12yo is most severe. All have been to BW since very early (age <1-3). Some things about BW trips work just great: I don't have to worry about interaction with other people, can let kids play near site and be relatively safe. They are outdoors and need to problem solve and innovate. They are far from other people and can meltdown with minimal impact. Some things don't work so well: need to deal with ambiguity and unknown things, not much structure to a day unless I exert myself to create it.

Some trips that have worked better than others have had different features like - we paddle in to MEET family friends who already have a campsite waiting for us (though which one it will be is still unknown). Singing on portages. Tripping with people that "get it" and are willing to help - OR by myself with kids. Selecting campsite near small islands and kids can paddle canoes to islands by themselves with me watching. Base camping truly works better than moving each day - hate to admit it, but it does. Anxiety every day for kids about where will we stay? Hard sometimes. I still do it, because *I* want to, but not the best fit for one child.

Bring a small fish tank net for scooping stuff from the water - hours of fun... practice using bug nets on head? Review maps in advance? It might not be perfect the first trip - but hopefully you just GO and learn what works best and make changes for the next time.

Good luck!