BWCA Routes

     A Boundary Waters canoe camping trip is a great outdoor adventure for experienced campers and novices alike.  A completely outfitted canoe trip with a BWCA outfitter is the perfect way for beginners to feel comfortable about heading into the wilderness.
     At Voyageur Canoe Outfitters we love to introduce people to the Boundary Waters.  The experienced paddlers who come year after year are fun too and we often learn things about the area from them as well.  However, our complete outfitting package is designed for someone who has little or no gear or someone who doesn't have time to pack up all of their own gear.
     We prepare the canoe packs with everything needed for a canoe camping trip into the Boundary Waters.  Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tent and tarp provide a comfortable sleeping experience in the wilderness while items like a stove, fire starter, cook kit and all of the food  ensure hunger is not a problem while out camping.  Guests choose a combination of fresh and freeze dried items from our expansive menu and we make sure it is packed and ready for them upon their arrival. 
     We like to ease our guests into the idea of canoe camping in the BWCA by inviting them to spend the night before their trip in one of our private bunkhouses.  That way we can spend some time with them at a trip routing session going over all of the information necessary to enjoy a BWCA canoe trip.  We show them the equipment they will be using, tell them how the food is packed and go over the map and route with them.  Then if any on the water practice is needed we can show them that too.
     Outfitted with a canoe, paddles and life vests guests spend the night at Voyageur before getting their fill of pancakes on the morning of their departure.  Staying across the river at Voyageur is quite similar to camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  You can only get to the other side by paddling a canoe and without telephones, cell service and television it feels quite remote.  Some guests enjoy spending their days paddling and hiking yet like a roof over their head at night.  A bunkhouse stay is a perfect way to get comfortable with the Boundary Waters experience.
     We know you will enjoy your Boundary Water's experience and hope you will make Voyageur a part of it.  There's still time to come paddle this season so give us a call today. 1-888-CANOEIT

     Red Rock Lake is a great Boundary Waters Canoe Area lake to set up a base camp in.  A tow across Saganaga Lake takes you to the 10 rod portage into Red Rock, a non-motorized BWCA lake.  Within minutes you can paddle to a wilderness campsite on a gorgeous canoe country lake.
     Red Rock is an average sized BWCA lake of about 353 acres in size.  With eight wilderness campsites scattered throughout the BWCA lake there is plenty of room for everyone.  It's easy to get off of the beaten path(route between the two portages) by camping in one of the private bays. 
     It's a beautiful Boundary Waters lake with pine trees of all kinds gracing the shoreline.  Granite outcroppings, a variety of elevation changes and lots of wildlife make Red Rock a terrific choice for a Boundary Waters base camp.  Moose are often seen in the back bays as eagles soar overhead.
     Boundary Waters fishing is at its best in Red Rock Lake.  All four species are present including northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and lake trout. The only fishing competition you'll find in this canoe country lake will be the loons.
     When you're pressed for time, traveling with small children or just don't feel like paddling and portaging think about setting up a Boundary Waters base camp in Red Rock.  It's a quiet lake with over half of the campsites almost always available. A wilderness canoe trip you'll love minus the challenges of paddling and portaging across multiple Boundary Waters Canoe Area lakes.

     The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a great place to go hiking.  It doesn't sound like a place for hiking but the BWCA offers numerous hiking adventures both short and long.  Guests who are out paddling on canoe trips can enjoy hiking the trails as well as guests who are vacationing on the Gunflint Trail.
     There are two long thru hikes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  The Kekekabic Trail connects the western side of the BWCA(Snowbank Rd) to the eastern side of the BWCA(Gunflint Trail).  It's approximately 40 miles from one end of to the other over some fairly rugged terrain.  Canoe groups camped near the trail can enjoy day hikes in the BWCA as an alternative to paddling and portaging through the wilderness lakes. 
     The Border Route Trail begins where the Kekekabic Trail ends and continues to the shore of Lake Superior.  The trailhead is just across the road from the Kek Trailhead at the Magnetic Rock Trailhead.  This trail can be accessed at various points along the Gunflint Trail and is about 70 miles in length.  Offering beautiful vistas and breathtaking waterfalls it's a wonderful Boundary Waters hiking trail. 
     There are other hiking trails in the Boundary Waters that are great for day hikes.  The trail to the highest point in Minnesota is 7 miles round trip that takes you up to Eagle Mountain and back.  The Lima Mountain Trail, South Lake and Daniels Lake Trail are a few of the other options for day hikes in the Boundary Waters.
     As avid hikers you can ask us at where our favorite hiking trails in the BWCA are and we'll gladly tell you.  We'd love to have you hike the many trails in the area.