It's a new year on the Gunflint Trail and we hope to see you at Voyageur! While it may seem like summer is a long time away it will be here before we know it. Later this month we'll be able to start reserving Boundary Waters permits and we can already reserve Quetico Permits for trips starting 5 months from now.
We're busy at Voyageur talking to folks about their canoe trips to the BWCA and Quetico. We're also taking inventory of what we have and what we need for the new year. We'll be purchasing canoes, gear and it's the time of year we put our outfitting food order in as well.
We hope to see you at Voyageur this new year and wish you all the best!
Mike and Sue and Voyageur Crew,
Smith party of 4 (08/31 - 09/06) had a great experience with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.
Thank you for making things so easy and stress free for our Boundary Waters canoe trip.
The trip exceeded our expectations and we will certainly recommend your outfit to others interested in the Boundary Waters.
Sincerely,
Mike
Name: Mike Smith
City: St. Tete Beach
State: Florida
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
The Troop wanted again to say thank you to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters for a great BWCA trip this year, we where there July 29th through August 4th.
The crew of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters was a great help in pulling this Boundary Waters canoe trip together, so hats off to them. The cabin stay on the night we arrived, and the night before we left where very clean. The meals that the kitchen put together for us where very good. The Troop brought their own food and gear, and only used your canoes, but there was still a lot of work to pull the trip off.
So again from Troop 2810 A BIG THANK YOU!
Name: Marc Shipman
City: Sycamore
State: IL
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
A big thank you to Mike and the rest of the staff at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters!
I was there last weekend with a group of nine women for a BWCA canoe trip. Mike graciously answered all of our Boundary Waters pre-trip questions and went 'above and beyond' accommodating our group needs. We were all VERY appreciative of his efforts! The question is not IF we will come back, but WHEN! Thank you for offering this Groupon. It was the catalyst that made the trip happen for our group!
Name: Jennifer Patterson
City:
State:
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
I just wanted to thank you guys again for our BWCA canoe trip. It was a dream come true for me. I told Mike that it will not be the last time we book a Boundary Waters trip with you guys! My wife is on board for another trip too...even though we had a bear in camp and 6 feet from the tent with us in it!!! I think the BWCA has stolen my soul.
Mike Hinrichs
Name: Mike Hinrichs
City: Bismarck
State: North Dakota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
Had a good BWCA trip. I have been doing BWCA/Canada trips since the 1960s and it is still something special. The Boundary Waters trip changed from a fishing trip to a travel trip and I completed the loop faster than expected but I still had a great time.
It was easy to tell that you guys at Voyageur have your act together. Your attention to the little details does not go unnoticed. Everything, trip planning, pretrip communication, tow, etc was professional. Thanks for a well performed service.
My impression of the Wenonah Prism is that it is a fast solo boat that is extremely easy to portage. If your plan is to travel it is stable while under paddle. I would suggest however that if a person is going to do much fishing that it is not the best platform for that. My suggestion would be for a solo canoeist who wishes to do a lot of fishing to find a tandem alternative. The same suggestion would apply to a single taking a large dog ( does that happen much??). As long as we were moving forward we were fine but just like a bicycle it gets more unstable when moving very slowly.
Thanks again, I will certainly recommend your company and we will see you again sometime.
--
Stephen Rollins O.D
Name: Stephen Rollins
City:
State:
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
Normally I trip into Quetico Park, but this year decided to do a Boundary Waters canoe trip with my daughter Sarah and her new husband John. John is a newbie to the BWCA, but an experienced hiker and outdoorsman, who had no trouble with the trip. We did the Saganaga-Knife-Seagull trip for the beauty, and also to get a look at the burned area.
As usual the scenery was pretty and the canoe trip mostly uneventful (other than the nice views), which is what we want--a nice camping trip with no mishaps or major troubles. However, we made our own amusement with "watermelon head."
We dressed a watermelon in its own life jacket for the paddle (so it wouldn't roll around) and make jokes about it, let it go swimming in the lake water to cool off at the first BWCA camp site, then sacrificed it on a tree stump alter, after which we ate it! It was soooo good after a long day's paddle. Probably had to be there to enjoy the amusement.
We did not see any big game, but did find bear claw marks on a white birch tree at one of our camp sites. Fishing was pretty bad or we were just unlucky, but most people we met said they also had little luck that week. That being said, we did catch catch saugers, pike, and bass, but they were generally small and not very many of them.
Once again, as in all previous trips, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters did a wonderful job in assisting with partial outfitting for our Boundary Waters canoe trip. We purchased some last minute items and rented a Wenonah solo canoe due to our odd number, while Sarah and John paddled my vintage 1975 Mad River Explorer.
We had to drive 7 hours to get to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, so, really enjoyed the bunkhouse stay the night before the BWCA trip, breakfast the morning of, and the showers afterwards.
The staff is always friendly and helpful. Looking forward to our next trip, which will be back into Quetico Park. Hope to have Voyageur be our partial outfitter of choice again.
Name: Frank Bonner
City: Rochester
State: Minnesota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We just returned from our canoe trip in the BWCA yesterday. I can't thank enough the Voyageur Canoe Outfitter folks! From the very beginning, they provided all the help and necessary information and smoothly managed our voyage into the Boundary Waters! Our departing boat arrived right on time. Mike was very friendly and helpful. Overall, the service was outstanding. THANK YOU!
Name: Abu
City: MAPLE GROVE
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
As BWCA canoe outfitters and parents we've had the opportunity to take a number of family canoe trips into the Boundary Waters. We love paddling with our kids and think a Boundary Waters canoe camping trip is one of the best family vacations there is.
While there are a number of great BWCA trips to choose from for your family we've decided to list a few here for you to choose from.
Top 5 Family Trip Recommendations
1. Saganaga or Red Rock Base Camp – We've done this BWCA trip even when our kids were in diapers. We've taken a tow boat ride to the Red Rock portage or to a campsite on Saganaga. We've taken day trips, swam, picked blueberries, fished and had an awesome time.
2. Duncan and Rose Lake – When the kids got a bit older we took them into Rose Lake. Stairway Portage is a beautiful portage that is next to a waterfall and is great fun to play in when hot outside. It crosses the Border Route Hiking Trail that can be accessed for day hiking trips that entertain kids for hours.
3. East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine – Give this route a try if your kids are able to carry a small day pack. A nice day trip is to walk the portage to Pine and then to Johnson Falls. You can camp at one site or multiple sites during this trip.
4. Granite River – A great trip for a young family to do a 3-5 day canoe camipng trip. While there are lots of portages you can break them up by camping at multiple sites. It's a great trip for avoiding wind because there isn't big water on the route.
5. Seagull, Knife Saganaga – If your children are a little bit older and have been on another trip then this is the perfect BWCA route. It's a great 5-6 day loop route that has lakes of all sizes, great fishing and scenic vistas. It requires a bit of paddling and portaging and is a great route for families who want to cover some ground and water!
Happy Paddling!
Don't even know where to begin shy of saying THANK YOU Voyageur Canoe Outfitters!!!!
This was my 1st trip to the Boundary Waters and one that I had been looking forward to for 5 years. When my son was turning 8 I told him that when he was turning 13 we would do a week long BWCA trip together. Knowing very well that once he hits the "Fume Years" (Gas Fumes and Perfumes) that he may have other priorities.
The BWCA trip was perfect. The staff at Voyageur's was outstanding (especially Mike), the bunk house the night before departure was comfy, the canoe was outstanding and the food way better than what I would have packed. We covered 18 Lakes, 20 Portages and had a little bit of everything on this Boundary Waters trip: Canoeing in the rain for about an hour, Sunny weather, calm winds, gusty winds, a storm at night, great fishing (my son caught his 1st Smallmouth and 1st Northern) and just about everything else I could have wanted out of the trip.
I have already begun recommending Voyageurs to my friends in the Las Vegas Canoe Club and really looking forward to doing the trip with my 9 year old in a few years.
Thanks again everyone, you have helped create outstanding memories that both my son and I will have for the rest of our lives.
Name: Tom & Alekzander Hall
City: Las Vegas
State: NV
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
I wanted to thank you for your polite, efficient, and professional service. I have been taking trips up in the area for 30 years and have used a few different outfitters. This trip was my first with Voyageurs and it will not be my last. Your staff was great and the service excellent. I will be recommending you to others and will use your services again in the future! Thanks for helping create a great BWCA canoe trip for us.
Sincerely,
Jim Condon
Name: Jim Condon
City: St. Paul
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
This year was my fourth trip into BWCA through Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. This year was different because it was just me and my 13 year old son. This was his first Boundary Waters trip. And what a blast we had. I chose the Boundary Waters entry point 54- Seagull Lake. My idea was to base camp in Seagull and portage into Alpine to do some serious fishing. After setting up camp the first day Me and my son spent the rest of the day swimming and "cliif diving off of a 8 ft cliff in the northern edge of Seagull.
We decided to go to Alpine in the morning. The first night after cleaning up supper, I was very tired so, i decided to goto bed at about 10:30. My son came in tent about midnight. And rouoghly around 12:30 am it started to rain. It did not quit until 11:00 am the next morning. After climbing out tent at 11:30, my son ask me "what do we do now".
At about the same time my son woke up from sleep, the sun appeared in the sky. I told my son get up and lets start hanging up sleeping bags and clothes. Everything in tent was completely soaked with rain water. We hung everything up on lines soo we could sleep on dry sleeping bags that night. Since sun was up, we decided to paddle to alpine. As soon as we reached the portage to Alpine it began to pour down rain. I son asked came we go back to camp. I told him yes that was fine. When we made it back to camp, everthing was completely soggy soaked. My son then asked" do we stay or do we go now? Since the time was 4:30, I told him the we go now.
Once we got back to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters Mike informed us the we received 4 inches of rain that day and that all other groups return in the early moring. I felt better that we were the last to come in. Even though we had 4 inches of rain I would not have chenged a thing. My son and I had a great father and son BWCA bonding experience. Thanks Voyageur Crew.
Name: Liell Lawvere
City: Upland
State: IN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
It was a four day BWCA voyage that created memories that will last a life time. Friendship Ventures journeyed into the BWCA with 10 boys ages 13-16 years old. Divided into two teams we conquered choppy water, freezing rain, blistering sun, and heavy packs. This trip was a platform for these boys to realize and awaken their true potential. I saw my campers amazed by the wonders of the outdoors, wearing an "AH HA" on their face after every discovery of something new. I watched them stand on the edge of fear as they built the confidence to take a leap, After the water rushes over them revealing the things they afraid of are not so bad. I witnessed the power of empathy and selflessness on portages when someone took on the personal responsible to help out another that was struggling. This Boundary Waters trip was a wonderful experience and Voyageur Canoe Outfitter helped use make it happen. A big thanks to all the staff at Voyageur.
Name: Jason Colvin
City: Eden Prairie
State: Minnesota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We over-came a strong wind in the Boundary Waters our first day on the water, but found a great BWCA campsite!
Name: James Miller
City: Ortonville
State: MI
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We entered the BWCA on July 20 for a four night stay. We paddled to Long Island lake and made a base camp. We had great weather and enjoyed our trip. The water was the warmest I can remember for the BWCA. The bugs were not bad, except for the biting flies. I plan to visit the Boundary Waters again soon.
Mike
Name: Mike
City: Eagan
State: Minnesota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
This was our first trip to the BWCA. We brought 2 adults and 4 kids (ages 6-11)! We purchased the Complete Outfitting Package with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters to make sure that we had everything we needed and to keep the trip as simple as possible from a packing perspective. It was a FANTASTIC experience!
The Voyageur staff was very professional and really took the time to go over the equipment, route, and maps with us until we felt comfortable. They also put us up in a nice rustic cabin and served a great pancake breakfast to get us going with a strong start. All of our equipment was in excellent condition and packed perfectly. The food was generous, well-packed, labeled perfectly, and really good. When we returned from our BWCA adventure, the staff had our car pulled up for easy loading, took care of all of the equipment immediately, and offered us towels and a shower.
I have done lots of camping trips before, but have never been outfitted by a company. This is really the way to go. I HIGHLY recommend VCO for their professionalism, high quality of gear, level of support, and the convenience.
Name: MB
City: Minneapolis
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We spent the past long weekend with you in the BWCAW. As a former resident of the area, I am so happy to see Voyageur Canoe Outfitters doing such an outstanding job. You made us feel very welcome and made sure to provide us with details to make the Boundary Waters trip such a success. I will know doubt will recommend you to others. Great experience in the BWCA. We watched moose grazing in the water, beautiful sunsets, endless blueberries, and big northern!!! Well Done!!
Name: John
City: Stillwater
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We went on a two-night Boundary Waters camping trip starting June 20. It rained all night June 19, which was very cozy in the bunkhouse with a tin roof. It also rained all morning of our first day, but cleared off for supper. The second day was windy, but clear. We made clotheslines and dried everything out. The highlight came on the third morning when the sun came out! As we were eating breakfast, we watched a Mama moose and her baby swim from a nearby island to the other end of the island where we camped. There was also a bald eagle perched on a tree near our camp all three days. We felt so blessed to have another BWCA wilderness trip, and hope to return!
Name: Carol Spurlock
City: Rolla
State: Missouri
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
I took my daughters to the BWCA for their first time in June. We left the 1st and returned on the 5th. I had not been up to the Boundary Waters for over 20 years. The girls loved it and the Voyageur Canoe Outfitter crew was great. We camped on 3rd bay and fished in ottertrack and swamp. We also got caught in one of the hardest rainfalls they have ever seen coming out of Rabbit lake. We met many great folks while up there and they cannot wait to go back to the Boundary Waters.
Name: Kevin Murphy`
City: Lake Havasu City
State: Az
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
We had trouble getting to Saganaga Lake in the BWCA June 14th because of the bad weather. We didn't make it to the Ranger Station before they closed so we had the permit sent to Seagull Outfitters but arrived there after 7pm and they were closed as well.
We were in a panic! I said to our group let’s try Voyageur Canoe Outfitters as we have stayed at your Lodge in the past.
Without question Mike helped us secure our Boundary Waters overnight motor permit!
A big “thank you” from the Kretschmer’s from Wabasha, MN.
Hope to get to your beautiful area one more time before the snow falls as we caught Walleye’s on Sag and my son Charlie caught a 44 inch Northern which was released to excite the next unknowing Smallmouth fisher person casting the shore line.
Name: Tim Kretschmer
City: Wabasha
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
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