South Kawishiwi River - 3 Nights
by Pete2Paddle
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
08/24/2026
Entry & Exit Point:
South Kawishiwi River (EP 32)
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
3
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (1 messages)
Day 2 of 5
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Day 2 - Monday - Breakfast @ Britton's & Into the Wild
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My boys remembered the pancakes at Britton's from our first trip so we started this trip the same way. A quick stop at Circle K gas station to fill up our water bottles and we were headed down the road towards our entry point. The South Kawishiwi entry point is a little less than 30min from downtown Ely. We were walking down the portage by about 8:15.
The first portage is listed at 130 rods on paddle planner but 147 on our map. I would say it felt closer to the 147. There were some rocky patches, but overall it is an easy portage. The weather that day was ideal. Almost zero wind and bright sunny skies. There was only one more portage between the entry point and the area we wanted to camp. A 19 rod portage was a great chance for one of my boys carry the canoe for the first time. He did great.
After the short portage, we started looking at campsites. I knew it was a busy area so I thought it would be good to know what sites were available and if we liked them as a possible spot to camp. Our target site was one of the four sites on the branch to the south of clear lake. Unfortunately, all of them were taken. So, we paddled back north and ended up at the site just south of the portage into Clear Lake.
Overall I would give the campsite 3.5 to 4.5 stars. The Kitchen area has a fantastic view, but there aren't any trees that would allow you to setup a kitchen tarp. Also, there is a boulder right in front of the fire grate where normally you would want to sit. The grate should really be moved. On a positive side, there are good trees for hanging a hammock and tent pads close by. I also found a spot up the hill from the kitchen area where I could hang my nemo bugout tarp.
Day 2 - Monday - Breakfast @ Britton's & Into the Wild
***************************************************
My boys remembered the pancakes at Britton's from our first trip so we started this trip the same way. A quick stop at Circle K gas station to fill up our water bottles and we were headed down the road towards our entry point. The South Kawishiwi entry point is a little less than 30min from downtown Ely. We were walking down the portage by about 8:15.
The first portage is listed at 130 rods on paddle planner but 147 on our map. I would say it felt closer to the 147. There were some rocky patches, but overall it is an easy portage. The weather that day was ideal. Almost zero wind and bright sunny skies. There was only one more portage between the entry point and the area we wanted to camp. A 19 rod portage was a great chance for one of my boys carry the canoe for the first time. He did great.
After the short portage, we started looking at campsites. I knew it was a busy area so I thought it would be good to know what sites were available and if we liked them as a possible spot to camp. Our target site was one of the four sites on the branch to the south of clear lake. Unfortunately, all of them were taken. So, we paddled back north and ended up at the site just south of the portage into Clear Lake.
Overall I would give the campsite 3.5 to 4.5 stars. The Kitchen area has a fantastic view, but there aren't any trees that would allow you to setup a kitchen tarp. Also, there is a boulder right in front of the fire grate where normally you would want to sit. The grate should really be moved. On a positive side, there are good trees for hanging a hammock and tent pads close by. I also found a spot up the hill from the kitchen area where I could hang my nemo bugout tarp.
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