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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
We've heard from Boy Scout Troops who have outfitted with the Sommers Boy Scout Base and they have said our equipment is much nicer and the prices for outfitting with Voyageur are less expensive. The quality of equipment is important when you're out in the wilderness and any little discount helps when it comes to how much a BWCA trip costs especially for Boy Scouts who often have to fundraise for all of their money.
Another reason Boy Scout Troops like us is that we're located at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Moose Lake where the Scout Base is located is quite busy and and our location is less hectic. Scout Troops love to be made to feel special and at Voyageur we make them feel very special. We provide each Scout with a map, t-shirt and patch when they choose the complete outfitting package.
Unlike the Boy Scout Base or other Boy Scout destinations you don't need to reserve your space at Voyageur three years in advance of your trip. You can reserve now for a trip this summer or you can even wait until April or May to let us know. Chances are there will be plenty of permits available for your Scout Troop to camp in the Boundary Waters.
We love to outfit all types of groups and individuals at Voyageur and we'd love to see you all this summer. If you know of a Boy Scout Troop that might be interested in a BWCA canoe trip then be sure to tell them about Voyageur, we'll take great care of them.
Our answer to why take your BWCA trip with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters goes something like this. We've been year round residents at the end of the Gunflint Trail since 1993 and have been outfitting BWCA trips since then.
We're 56 miles from the nearest town of Grand Marais, MN and you are already in the wilderness when you begin your trip up the Trail. Just by driving the Gunflint Trail and coming to Voyageur you're farther into the wilderness than some people get on their Boundary Waters canoe trips.
We love what we do and where we live and this shows. Our enthusiasm and love of the wilderness is evident and we want to share this love with as many people as we can. We take pride in being the best there is in BWCA trip outfitting. We're knowledgeable about the Boundary Waters, Quetico Park, wilderness fishing and camping and everything Gunflint Trail.
We have an excellent facility and incredible staff and we provide a one-of-a-kind outfitting experience. We guarantee your satisfaction with Voyageur and the number of repeat customers we have speaks loudly.
There it is in a nutshell. While it may be easier to just say we're the best it's probably better to give the lengthy explanation, even though we really are the best!
Make sure the Boundary Waters lake you are fishing in has the type of fish in it you are trying to catch. There's no bigger waste of time than jigging for walleye when you're on a lake that doesn't contain walleye. The MN DNR has a listing of most of the lakes in the BWCA and what type of fish are in them. Make sure you're using the right technique to catch fish on the right lake.
When you're on a Boundary Waters fishing trip make sure you bring along a good variety of lures and plenty of them. There's nothing more depressing than losing the hot lure and not having a replacement one in your tackle box. You'll no doubt lose a lure or two by getting them snagged on logs or rocks so bring along plenty of them so you don't find yourself without the one lure that was working the best.
Before you head into the wilderness waters of the BWCA make sure you have good line on your reel. Replace old fishing line with new 8-10 pound test and plenty of it. Remember you'll get snags and tangles and you want to have enough line even if you have to cut it a couple of times.
Go through the hassle of bringing along live bait. Chances are you'll be able to catch plenty of fish in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness without live bait but why take the chance? You can increase your chance of catching fish by having a good variety of bait for the fish to choose from.
Lastly, spend plenty of time fishing while you're on your Boundary Waters canoe trip. If you're constantly paddling from campsite to campsite then you won't have as much time to fish. You'll lower your odds for catching fish if you don't spend enough time fishing. Plan to set up a base camp and spend the majority of your time with your line in the water.
Consider these five BWCA fishing tips when you're planning your next Boundary Waters Canoe camping trip. You'll improve your odds of catching fish and of enjoying a fresh meal of fish while on your Boundary Waters fishing trip.
We love to help our guests reserve their Quetico Park permits for their annual wilderness canoe trip. Our jobs just got easier because the Quetico Provincial Park finally accepts reservations online. Most of the details are the same including the overnight camping fees for children and adults at $8.50 & $21.50 respectively. There's still a reservation deposit of $100 required that gets applied to your overnight camping fees upon your arrival at the Ranger Station. Reservation and cancellation fees depend upon whether you make your reservation online or call it in. You can find those rates on their website.
We'll gladly still reserve your Quetico permit for your canoe trip but if you want to reserve your own online then visit their website and follow the directions below.
Choose your arrival date(can only reserve 5 months in advance of the start date of your trip)
- Pick your park- Quetico Park
- Pick your party size- 9 or less* Next you start an entry search by choosing one of the options to the right. Find on Map, In a List or On a Calendar.
- Pick your Residency- Non-Resident or Canadian
- Pick your entry Point- Cache Bay is our closest
You'll then be prompted to reserve or start a new search. As with any website it's easier to create a profile before you begin the reservation process so you don't lose any of your reservation information. You'll need to submit payment in the form of a credit card so have one nearby.
If you'd rather make your reservation by telephone then check out the information below. For questions regarding reservation policies you can find those ONLINE.
From the Quetico Park website...
To make a reservation, cancellation or change by phone, please call:
1-888-ONT-PARK
1-888-668-7275
Simply call our toll free hotline (14 hours a day, 7a.m. to 9p.m. EST, seven days a week, 363 days a year).
Before you call remember:
- When making a telephone reservation, you will be asked for the following information:
- park name
- arrival/departure date
- type of site required (hydro, tent or trailer, lakefront etc.)
- your name, address, postal code, telephone number and email address
- number in your party
- method of payment (e.g. credit card number and expiry date)
The Forest service will open the BWCAW campsites when the sites are safe and rehabilitated. Some campsites just need some snags removed while others need attention to prevent erosion. The USFS said, "Forest Service crews will be opening most campsites early in the 2012 season."
The were 23 lakes with campsites that were affected and of course none of these were near the Gunflint Trail. The lakes included are, One, Two, Three, Four, Hudson, Insula, Horseshoe, Brewis, North Wilder, South Wilder, Harbor, Clearwater, Gull, Pietro, Hudson Pond, Baskatong, Bog, Isabella Lake, Isabella River, Kawashong, Quadga and Rice. The reductions range from 1 campsite removed up to 13 on Insula.
In order to prevent crowding in this area of the Boundary Waters the USFS has reduced quotas for entry point lakes. According to their document there will be no quota for Little Isabella River, Bog Lake or Island River and the Pow Wow Hiking Trail is closed until further notice. Isabella Lake will have 1 permit a day as will Snake River. All of these areas have restrictions regarding day use and directions which one may go so be sure to check with an outfitter or the USFS before traveling. Lake One lost 4 permits a day but gained 2 permits called Lake One Restricted.
The Lake One Restricted will be in place until the other four permits are added to the regular Lake One quota. Folks entering the BWCA with the restricted permit will not be allowed to camp on Lake One, Two, Three, Four or Hudson at any time. This isn't a problem for people who want to travel on the fist and last day of their canoe trip.
On the Gunflint Trail we're thankful to have all of our entry point permit quotas in place and campsites ready for use. We can start reserving BWCA permits on January 25th so give us a call 1-888-CANOEIT or send us an email to get yours reserved.
Wenonah makes awesome canoes and the Champlain was nothing but impressive. It's the perfect canoe for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the perfect canoe for any trip! It is obvious that Wenonah got it right when they designed this boat. It has plenty of room for packs, gear, fishing tackle, and even a duffer (or two). The canoe tracked like a dream across the big water of Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg. In the white water on the Hayes and God's Rivers in Northern Manitoba it did exceptionally well! Even though the canoe measures at about 18 feet, it paddles like a 16 footer in the rapids. Easy to maneuver around obstacles and keep pointed down river.
Voyageur Canoe Outfitters outfits their BWCA canoe camping trips with Minnesota Made Wenonah canoes. You can test out the Champlain on your next Boundary Waters or Quetico Park adventure with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.
Name: Andrew Spaeth
City: Truckee
State: California
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
Want to share your experience? Then please do so on this blog or on Trip Advisor. We'd be very appreciative and would love hearing all about your trip.
- Review Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
I love being the only person on a lake and not seeing anyone else for days. It's the time of the year when I go out to do a solo trip because I really enjoy the solitude. I like to swing in my hammock and sit by the lake without any bugs buzzing around. It's a great time to gaze at stars and sleep beneath them. Some people get lonely or don't like being in the woods alone but I crave it. And as I write about it I get even more anxious to get out canoe camping in the Boundary Waters.
I suggest you come up and enjoy a fall canoe trip with Voyageur. It doesn't have to be solo and I guess you could come and enjoy the BWCA on day trips and stay in a cabin. Whatever you do, just don't miss this awesome time of the year in the Boundary Waters or Gunflint Trail.
So after consulting with a friend, we decided it would be a great weekend getaway for the husbands and two deals were purchased. What is nice about going through an outfitters, is that they give you everything that you need for your trip, including canoe, tent, sleeping bags, cooking stuff, and even all the meals. You just bring your personal items and fishing poles!
Last Thursday, my friend and I made the 7-hour trip north to the Boundary Waters. The first night is spent in a bunk house at the Outfitters, where they give you instruction on the equipment and how to survive in the Boundary Waters without getting eaten by a bear or losing all your equipment in the middle of a lake.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, they headed out for the wilderness. We spent the next 2-1/2 days canoeing, fishing,
cooking over an open fire, playing Camp Cards and reading by flashlight.
We had a little bit of stormy weather, which was not fun. Although we protected all of the food supplies by hanging it in a tree (like we were taught at the Outfitters), there was no sign of a single bear. Or coyote. Or eagle. Or even squirrel. Apparently all the wildlife in the Boundary Waters takes their vacation in August. Including the fish. My friend caught 4 fish the whole time. Me, I caught none. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
We did see some incredible sunsets though.
It was a great weekend of male bonding. We learned a lot and would definitely do it again.
The people at Voyageur couldn't have been better and we would definitely go back to them again.
Name: Carl
City: Chaska
State: MN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
The Boundary Waters provides a great place for kids to use their imagination. Yesterday my son and his friends were pretending they were Rescue Swimmers as they jumped off of rocks and swam to a small island in the BWCA. Pine cones have a number of uses for a child with an imagination as do sticks and other items found in the woods. Creativity explodes while kids are in the BWCA.
Kids learn self-discipline and enhance their problem-solving skills by spending time outside. There are so many things to learn and opportunities to grow while canoe camping in the wilderness. It's a great place to bond as a family before the busy school year starts back up. Give your children and yourself a lasting gift this year and come on up to the Boundary Waters today.
Powered by Compendium