FML Outdoors.com

The first thing to do when planning a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is to plan your entry point and route as soon as possible. This should be done several months in advance allowing you to reserve the desired entry permit. Some points only allow one access per day, so the earlier you decide the better. So, what should you consider when deciding where to go?

This article was submitted by Chris Walden. Follow Chris, as he provides helpful tips and techniques for planning your BWCA Canoe trip. More great information to come!

First, I like to think about who is going with me. Keep in mind your group’s age and experience. If I have my young kids with make it easy. Try to keep paddling time short and minimize portages. If I go with my friends who are National Guard cavalry scouts, I can cover 15-miles a day and handle 300 rod portages with ease.

Secondly, I think about our goals for the trip. If sightseeing is the main purpose, look for routes with waterfalls and pictographs. Some lakes are better for fishing than others. Many campers seek isolation. Entry points with the fewest daily permits and longest portages tend to have the fewest people. Stargazing is amazing in the BWCA. If you take binoculars or even a small telescope, you will see things much more clearly than can be seen under the haze of city lights.

Larger lakes open up larger areas of sky for optimal star-gazing.

The final thing to think about is availability. Popular entry points can run out of permits several months in advance, particularly for Friday or Saturday entry. Tuesday and Wednesday are available for longer, but will still need some time in advance. If you need to enter on a certain day, it may be best to see what entry points are available on that day, and choose a route from what is available. This is the only way to begin planning if you wait until the last minute! Permit availability can be checked by your outfitter or online at www.recreation.gov.

There are many resources available for information on route planning. Many books are available, such as Robert Betmer’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area series and Cliff Jacobson’s Boundary Waters Canoe Camping. Both books have suggested routes for beginners and experts alike. If you are using an outfitter to rent gear, they can (and should) also assist in planning.

Your route is the first thing to think about when planning a BWCA trip. Do your best to match the trip to your group’s abilities and expectations and you have a great chance of enjoying your vacation before you even pack.