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
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
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!
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 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 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
The dates are set for our BWCA canoe camping tips for Women and we'd love to have you be a part of one. If you have ever wanted to take a Boundary Waters canoe trip then this is the perfect opportunity.
It doesn't matter if you have paddled extensively or if you have never been in a canoe you are welcome to participate in a Voyageur adventure. Our trips are designed so you can learn the necessary skills while you're out enjoying the canoe country with other women. You'll participate in all aspects of the trip including setting up the tent, cooking, cleaning, portaging and of course paddling.
The benefits of the wilderness are many and you'll feel a new sense of confidence after accomplishing a BWCA canoe trip.
Itinerary
You will arrive at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters on the first day of your session to meet the rest of your group and discuss your trip. After your routing session, you will pack up your personal articles and depart for 3 nights of camping and 4 days of paddling in the wilderness. Group participants will return to Voyageur on the 4th day and will spend the night in one of our luxurious Lodge Hideaway units to celebrate their accomplishment. Enjoy breakfast with us in the morning in our main lodge before you head for home with wonderful memories of your wilderness canoe camping experience.
Package
This package has been designed for women by women. This complete outfitting package includes everything you need for a wilderness canoe camping adventure. We provide sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, packs, food, canoe, lifevests, paddles and everything you need. You just bring your personal clothing, toiletry items and fishing gear if you want to fish. We send you a trip preparation packet prior to your trip to help you in the packing of your personal items. In an effort to bring awareness to women's health and to promote an active outdoor lifestyle we include a Pink Paddle made by Wenonah Canoe designed by owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitter's Sue Prom. This is a lightweight, bent shaft paddle made from graphite that you will get to bring home with you.
We are offering three scheduled Women's Trips for the summer of 2012. Each session features an easy route suitable for beginning paddlers and costs $500. To reserve your space on a trip just call us toll-free at 1-888-CANOEIT, tell us the session you want to participate in and secure your reservation with a deposit of $250.
July 2-6th- arrive & paddle on the 2nd, off water & stay in lodge on 5th, depart on 6th.
July 8-12th- arrive & paddle on the 8th, off water & stay in lodge on 11th, depart on 12th.
*July 15-19th- arrive & paddle on the 15th off & stay in lodge on 18th, depart on 19th. *For women 50 and older.
Hauling hammocks, camp chairs and tables across BWCA portages isn't something I like to do even though I love to have them when I'm camping. I like the comfort they offer and a tent you can stand up in is pure luxury. It seems the older I get the more comfort I crave and the only way to satisfy that craving is to do a base camp canoe trip.
There are quite a few different Boundary Waters entry points to choose from for a base camp trip where you don't have to portage. Saganaga is probably my first choice because I can use a boat and motor or have a towboat haul out some of my gear. This allows maximum comfort including a cooler with ice and cots!
Seagull Lake base camp is a close second choice for setting up a base camp. I love all of the different day trip options there are to choose from. I like to hike the portage into Grandpa or J.A.P. or get a line wet in Alpine or Rog.
East Bearskin Lake and Brule Lake entry points into the BWCA provide nice options for setting up a base camp as do a few of the lakes just outside of the Boundary Waters. Gunflint Lake, Poplar Lake, Birch Lake and Bearskin have wilderness type campsites that do not require a portage to get to or a permit to camp in. Three entry points into the BWCA where you can park your vehicle and then portage into a campsite are Morgan, Ram and Bower Trout Lakes.
If you're looking for comfort, don't want to travel alot or are short on time then check out these base camping in the BWCA favorites of mine.
Minnesota made Wenonah is our favorite Boundary Waters canoe. We love their variety of canoes as they have something for everyone. From their solo canoes like the Prism to their four person Minnesota IV they have a canoe for every group size and type of trip you can imagine. At Voyageur we carry many of their designs and love them all.
The canoe I take out into the BWCA depends upon what type of canoe camping trip I am taking. Obviously if I'm going solo I'll take the Prism or Canak and if I'm going with 3 in the boat then I usually prefer the Minnesota III. However sometimes it's nice to take a Boundary Waters model for a group of 3 because it allows an extra set of hands on the portage.
Do you have a favorite Wenonah Canoe? Tell us what you like about it!
With Memorial Day weekend upon us some folks are looking to get away from the city. Many of them want to flock north but don't think they can take a canoe camping trip into the BWCA with this short of notice. The good news is there are still permits to enter the Boundary Waters available.
While I prefer to take longer canoe camping trips into the BWCA I do on occasion take one night and two night trips into the wilderness. On these trips I prefer to find an entry point lake that doesn't involve a portage to get into. Saganaga and Seagull Lake are my two favorite BWCA lakes for a quick trip.
A few other other entry points I like for a quick Boundary Waters trip are Larch Creek and Crocodile River. With just a little bit of paddling and portaging you can be into a nice lake with good fishing. This is also true for Magnetic Lake for accessing the Granite River.
If you only have the weekend off then don't rule out the BWCA. There are plenty of great lakes to choose from and there are permits available at the last minute for many of them.
The answer to the question, "How do I plan a Boundary Waters Trip?" is very simple, you just call an outfitter, preferably Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. We can help you plan a BWCA canoe trip within a few minutes of speaking with you.
The benefits of using the services of a canoe outfitter to help you plan your Boundary Waters Canoe Trip are endless. We've been outfitting canoe trips into the wilderness for 20 years and we know the lakes and the routes. We know what type of fish are in which lakes, the degree of difficulty of the portages and the best places to camp. We also know where you are most likely to run into a moose and when you're most likely to see people. We can tell you lots of valuable information about planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip but you have to give us a call first.
It's our job to outfit folks into the Boundary Waters and to make sure they have a good time and return year after year. We'll help you plan your Boundary Waters trip, we're ready and waiting to do so. 1-888-CANOEIT
Do you have your canoe trip planned for the summer yet? If not then there is still plenty of time to get your BWCA or Quetico Park wilderness adventure on the calendar. There are permits available and summer is just around the corner. We can help you plan a great canoe camping trip.
Our first canoe groups will be heading into the BWCA and Quetico Park later this week. The water temperature is still pretty cold but they have lots of experience so we're not worried about them paddling the wilderness waters. They'll paddle close to the shore, wear their life vests and won't take any chances while out in the canoe country.
The forecast calls for the temperature to reach 70 degrees by Wednesday but then it will drop back into the 50's for the weekend. If I had a clear schedule I think I'd be planning to go camping in the BWCA yet this week. But it will have to wait until after the Ham Run Half-Marathon on Sunday.
I think this is finally the year for an early season Boundary Waters canoe trip. How about you?
If you’re looking for a true wilderness then visit the Boundary Waters in October. BWCA permits are based on a self-issuing process due to the lack of visitors during this month. No people, no bugs but lots of places for you to enjoy the solitude of the BWCA.
The month of October is known as the Harvest Moon and Falling Leaves moon. After the fall colors have reached their peak and dried up then the winds blow the leaves to the forest floor. The decomposing leaves produce the unique smell of fall in the air. The air is somewhat chilly with the average daytime high of 51 degrees and a nighttime average of 32 degrees. The sun can still be hot but the hours of daylight are dwindling and night fills the sky longer.
The night sky is the focus in the Boundary Waters in October. Two different events keep canoeists eyes on the sky during the evenings. The Draconid Meteor Showers are seen at nightfall and occur the 2nd week in October. They are best seen without a moon as are the Orionids. The Orionid meteors are the third week of October and display about 15 meteors per hour and leave long trains. After midnight is the best time to see the Orionids. Be sure to check the calendar to see the exact dates for each year and plan your BWCA trip around them.
The BWCA lakes turn over in October and the water is chilly at around 40 degrees. This is when whitefish and lake trout spawn and large northern pike can be caught. Walleye move shallower once again making them easier to catch.
The Boundary Waters is quiet in October as wildlife prepares for winter. The snowshoe hare will be changing colors as moose and deer enter their rut. Some ducks will be present like the Golden Eyes and Mergansers but soon they along with the loons will leave for warmer temperatures. Snow buntings will appear as the other winged wonders disappear. The Black Bears will be looking for a place to spend the winter months and other animals will be busily preparing for snowfall.
With a little extra caution and clothing October can be a wonderful time to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Camping can be a bit chilly but the lack of people and ultimate solitude makes October an incredible time to experience the wilderness of the BWCA.
The first couple of weeks in August tend to be a very popular time to canoe camp in the Boundary Waters. Is it because of the never-ending sunlight, lack of bugs, bountiful blueberries or starry night skies? Whatever the reason August is a great time to visit the BWCA.
The days are a bit shorter in August but are still plenty long for paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters. The lake water is at its warmest for swimming and air temperatures are warm too. The average high temperature is 76.1 degrees, average low 52.4 degrees; perfect conditions for sleeping outside of the tent beneath the stars.
Hang in a hammock between two trees and make yourself cozy. There’s no need for a screen because the bugs are basically non-existent in the BWCA in August. While hanging in the hammock keep an eye on the sky for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Perseid meteors can often be seen as early as July 23, when one meteor every hour or so could be visible. It is possible to see up to five per hour at the beginning of August and when they peak around the 12th of August you could see as many as 50-80 per hour. After the peak the number slowly declines but they offer sky watchers a real treat for the first half of the month. There’s no better place to watch the Perseid meteor shower than in the dark skies of the BWCA.
The light of the moon reflecting off of the lake is another beautiful sight. The month of August is known in Ojibway as the Blueberry Moon. Sometimes blueberries will ripen before August but we’ll almost always have blueberries in the Boundary Waters to pick in August. Along with the blueberries are raspberries, thimbleberries, bunchberries, cranberries and rose hips to pick and enjoy. There’s even some flowers still blooming and they are primarily purple towards the end of the season. Purple Knapweed, Purple Loosestrife and Fireweed are seen in August as are Black-Eyed Susans, Goldenrod and water lilies.
The fishing in the Boundary Waters during August is good. While lake trout go deep the smallmouth bass and northern pike are ready and willing to bite. Walleye can be a little difficult to find but once you find them you’ll catch lots of them.
As if the above reasons weren’t enough to want to visit the Boundary Waters there are other things happening in August such as Monarchs emerging from cocoons, mushrooms ripening, wild rice getting ready to harvest and hummingbirds preparing to migrate. August is indeed a wonderful time to be in the BWCA.
Is mealtime your favorite time when you're camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness? If so, then I bet you have some sort of method of madness for what you put into your BWCA food pack. I have a method of my own when I'm on a solo BWCA canoe trip just as everyone has their own including the Voyageurs from many moons ago.
A scientist named Kennicott had this to say about the Voyageurs' food after traveling with them. "Pemmican is supposed by the outside world to consist only of pounded meat and grease; an egregious error, for from experience on the subject I am authorized to state that hair, sticks, bark, spruce leaves, stones, sand, etc. enter into its composition. It is very rarely that the Voyageurs reject anything in the shape of fish or bird...I think they would eat eggs so nearly hatched that the chick could almost peep."
Most BWCA canoe trip enthusiasts aren't packing Pemmican or purposefully eating hair, sticks or bark. I do know some folks who will kill and eat a grouse and I have even heard of a modern day Voyageur eating a birds' egg but this is seldom done in today's world.
However there are many people who take canoe trips into the Boundary Waters who bring along items to prepare fish for a meal. Whether it is shortening & fish breading for frying or butter & garlic for grilling some folks plan to eat fish while in the woods.
Then there are those people who want to eat in the Boundary Waters like they eat when they are at home. This doesn't work well for me but if you don't mind carrying a ton of weight then pack in the potatoes, carrots, whole onions and fresh fruit. You may as well bring along a cooler for all of the meat and other fresh food you plan to bring along as well.
Maybe at home you eat lots of pre-packaged foods so in the BWCA you don't have to adjust your diet much from the pasta, rice-a-roni, hamburger helper and lipton noodles. Carbohydrates from a box or pouch can easily be found and lately you can find meat in a pouch too. Tuna and Spam come in pouches and I'm guessing chicken won't be far behind.
In other people's food packs for their BWCA trip you might find everything dehydrated. From the strawberries for their just add water shortcake to their astronaut ice cream if it's hydrated then it's not going into their food pack.
Somewhere in between all of these Boundary Waters food pack options is a happy-medium. That's what we like to supply at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. Just the right mix of fresh foods, dehydrated items and things off of the grocery store shelf. We've been packing for BWCA canoe trips for 20 years and we know what tastes good because we've tried it all.
You may not eat just like you're at home while on your Boundary Waters canoe trip but believe me, nothing tastes bad when you're sitting beneath the stars and listening to the call of the loon.
Deciding where to canoe in the Boundary Waters is always a tough decision whether it's your first trip, tenth trip or fiftieth trip. Just like when you're planning a regular vacation you'll want to gather information for a BWCA canoe country vacation. There is a plethora of information on the web including great commercial BWCA websites and outfitter websites. There are also books published about popular BWCA canoe routes but keep in mind the information in books may not always be precise or up to date.
To determine where you want to go in the BWCA you’ll need to know if fishing is an important part of your trip. If fishing is important then you'll want to know what Boundary Waters lakes have which types of fish in them. If you're going to paddle the BWCA in early May then find a lake trout lake because that's what will be biting then. You'll also want to spend less time traveling and more time fishing if it's really important to catch fish. Don’t plan to camp a 12 hour paddle from where you're BWCA starting point is or you’ll spend all of your time paddling and not fishing.
Most folks want solitude on their Boundary Waters Canoe trip. If your goal is solitude then choose a BWCA route with lots of long portages. Look for lakes that are difficult to get to and farther in than a few hour paddle and find a BWCA campsite that is off of the beaten path. This will keep you away from the vast majority of folks. Don't be fooled by thinking an canoe entry point with lots of travel permits is necessarily bad. There are smaller lakes off of some of these bigger lakes that you can find and have all to yourself.
Another factor in determining where you will go in the Boundary Waters is who you are going with. If you’re paddling with elderly or small children then you may want to plan a base camp canoe trip. Find a BWCA lake with good day trip opportunities so people have the option to paddle and portage or stay back and relax.
There are lots of things to consider when planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip. You can find a trip route finder on our website that might offer you some insight. Also, we have maps we can mail you if you’d like to purchase one. Then you can spend time looking at all of the BWCA lakes and dreaming about camping on them.
No matter how many times I've been on Boundary Waters canoe trips it's still a tough decision to decide where to go. Who I'm paddling with, how much time I have and how energetic I'm feeling all make a difference in what route I'll choose. No matter where I go in the BWCA I know I’ll be happier there than anywhere else I could be and that’s a very good thing.
While most of the population is thinking about fireworks and 4th of July parades I’m thinking July is a great time for a canoe camping trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With its warm temperatures, good fishing, refreshingly cool water temperatures and blueberries ripening there may not be a better time than July to visit the BWCA.
Smallmouth bass and northern pike are two easy species of fish to catch in the Boundary Waters especially in July. Troll a lure in a lake inhabited with fish and you’ll have a difficult time keeping the fish off of your line. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll catch something if you put your time in. While some fish snobs don’t like to eat smallmouth or northern pike the people who remove the y-bone and eat these species are in for a real treat. The fish that come from the cold waters of the Boundary Waters taste absolutely delicious when they are prepared fresh. A shore lunch is just one of the many good things about paddling the BWCA in July.
The warm air temperatures combined with the warm water temperatures makes July a perfect time for people who want to spend time swimming. It’s so refreshing and fun to swim from BWCA campsite to campsite or out to an island. Hours of entertainment are provided for families with kids who want to spend time swimming. It’s a very comfortable time of the year not only for swimming but also for sleeping in a hammock.
The nights are warm and the bug population has dropped considerably by July in the Boundary Waters. It makes evenings by the campfire even more enjoyable. The nights get a little bit longer in July but not by much. By mid-month the sun rises around 5:24 AM and sets around 9:00 PM. There’s plenty of daylight to paddle, swim, fish and pick berries.
There’s nothing more satisfying than filling a camp cup with fresh blueberries while you’re out in the Boundary Waters. They taste wonderful in pancakes or when eaten by the handful. In addition to blueberries you may find some strawberries left from June and perhaps ripening raspberries. The wild roses will be blooming along with the Blue Flag Iris, Twin Flowers, Cow Parsnip and many other colorful and fragrant wildflowers.
Also appearing in July are newborn loons. Loons in the BWCA usually have their young around the 4th of July. Look carefully if you see a loon because there’s a good chance there’s a little one riding around the back of their parent. You may also see moose with their young in the water eating underwater plants or cooling off in the mid-day heat.
The lack of bugs, addition of blueberries and good fishing are just a few of the reasons to visit the Boundary Waters in July. With the solitude, scenery and serenity found in the BWCA it’s difficult to understand why anyone would want to swap fireworks in a city for fireflies in the wilderness. But that’s what keeps the numbers down in the Boundary Waters in the beginning of July so I guess we should be thankful for the folks who have to stick with their city traditions for the 4th of July and who leave the BWCA for the rest of us.
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