What was the age of the youngest child you've taken into the BWCA? I'll have an infant next summer and my three year old has the itch to canoe again something fierce!

2 months Trip report

We have taken all 3 of our kids as soon as we felt comfortable, the youngest had just turned 2. Our only deal was we weren't going to carry diapers but we made an exception 2 years ago when we brought pull ups just for sleeping.

7 years old - but we began 'regular' camping with her when she was 6 months old.

Thank you for your replies. The last thing I want to do is be over-confident, above our skill level. I introduced my husband and three year old to the BWCA last summer. It was an amazing trip, modified, but amazing. Two nights, three days on Lake One. I had grand plans for Insula but the three year old wasn't having it! When she was an infant she got to experience the wonders of the southwest, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yosemite. Not a lot of paddling happening on those trips however. Hoping our Minnesota home will provide us and our new little one some outdoor memories!

BTW here is our Trip Report - and - my amazing friend and co-worker blogs
here - and has written a few articles about going to the BWCA with young kids.

Here's her post from this year too.
2015 Trip

I think they are going to the Gunflint this year. E. Bearskin - up to Rose Falls & Staircase Portage.

my youngest age was 6 weeks old. But at 6 weeks it was really easy. All they do is eat and sleep. We did base camping with day trips. I should clarify my husband and I have done 1000's of miles in the BWCA and on canoe trips so we were very confident in our abilities. As babies came along in our life they came along on our bwca trips. Our first child was born in May which is why she was so young. Our other kids were born in the fall so they came as 9 month olds. Our kids are now 11, 10 and 7 and they LOVE the BWCA. We go several times a year

One other question...is a group size of nine considered nine bodies or nine persons of a particular age? If our group had 6 adults and 4 kids under age 5 what would the powers that be have to say?

they count even babies.. so your group would be 10

I would love to hear about your different trip stories, route suggestions, etc. even though we don't have the experience level of you and your spouse. Our kids are similar ages and we have just gone for the first two times last summer and this summer. I was exposed to the BWCA for the first time (and my first ever camping trip!) in my 20s and absolutely fell in love with the area, but life got in the way and didn't come back until last year.

Just under one year old. Definitely would recommend it, as long as you have one strong paddler... the other could be taken up full time keeping a mobile toddler inside the boat, lol.

enjoy!