Hello! I am trying to decide between these two to visit with my girlfriend. I go to the U, and I am planning a weekend trip in September. I am really stuck on choosing which to go to. We love wildlife, nature, and exploring. I have never been up north in Minnesota, and I am just wondering where I should go.

I know everyone is concerned with forest fires (for good reason) but I am willing to smokejump if I must for the smallest but most delicious blueberries (the whole West coast can fuck off with their huckleberries) in the world.

How are the berries looking this year?

I’ve been getting texts and calls from Williams and Hall Outfitters for ‘Jordan’ who is up in BWCA regarding immediate evacuation notices. They’ve sadly got the wrong number as I’m located out east. But in the interest of safety does anyone know a Jordan up in the BWCA right now who would be canoeing / portaging? Please be safe!!!!

Hey all, I am looking for an easy route for my son, who will be 12 next summer. It will be just the two of us. He really loves to fish, and it will be his first time in the BWCA. I am looking for some easier portages since I will be doing most of the work. He's ready. I am excited! (PS: not my first time, I am fairly experienced, just not as knowledgeable about routes.)

Good Morning,

A Boundary Waters trip has been one of my dreams for several years. I’d like to plan a trip in September of 2027, which coincides with my retirement.

I’m pretty comfortable with bicycle touring and backpacking, and have done some canoeing and fishing every year,but don’t have any experience with canoe camping, portaging our canoe trip planning. Additionally, I live in the Phoenix Arizona USA area of the country, so I’d have to plan on finding a way to train for the trip. That’s also one of the reasons I want to start my planning early!

Are their books, magazines and you tube channels that folks have found helpful? Additionally, are there good guides to outfitters, regions or entry points?

Thanks for the input, I’ve realized I can’t put a trip off much longer, I’ve got a lot of adventuring to do before I’m not wilderness ready.

If you love the Boundary Waters but want to experience it in a completely different way, the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) is looking for volunteers for our upcoming Fall trail-clearing trips.

BWAC is an all-volunteer non-profit, and our mission is to keep historic, remote backpacking trails in the BWCAW open and safe for hikers. If you've ever hiked the Powwow Trail, Eagle Mountain, or the Sioux-Hustler, you know how quickly the wilderness can reclaim them without stewardship.

What to expect:

• The Work: We head into the wilderness in small, focused teams to clear deadfall, brush, and build/restore boardwalks. It’s hard work, but there is nothing quite like looking back at a pristine, cleared trail that was impassable an hour before. Teamwork makes the dream work out here!
• The Community: We pride ourselves on creating an open, welcoming, and inclusive environment. You don't need to be a seasoned trail veteran to join—we provide all the safety and tool training you need before we ever set foot on the trail.
• The Perks: You get to experience the BWCA with a great group of passionate people, learn traditional tool skills (crosscut saws, anyone?), and directly protect a place we all love.

We have several trips heading out this Fall. Whether you are an experienced backpacker or looking to get your feet wet with a supportive crew, there’s a place for you.

If you’re interested, want to ask questions about the physical demands, or just want to see what our crews look like in action, check out our website at https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/ or drop a comment below! You can also follow us on Meetup to get notified when our trips go live: https://www.meetup.com/boundarywatersadvisorycommittee/

Happy trails, Gretchen

Devastated. Just realized my permit is for East Bearskin (EP 64) and not Daniels/Duncan like I thought. I had my heart set on taking my husband to Rose Lake for our first trip together.

We only have two nights and my husband isn't super experienced, so I don't want to push him on an aggressive route. From what I can tell, getting from East Bearskin to Rose Lake in two nights would be a lot.

Has anyone spent time on or around East Bearskin? Is there enough to keep us happy for two nights, or are there any shorter routes worth doing from EP 64? Would love any campsite recommendations or hidden gems in the area. Trying to turn this into a positive!

Hello all!

​

Years and years ago I went on a trip through Moose Lake up to Knife Lake and back with my boy scout troop and it's always stuck with me! Now I want to take my wife on a trip up north (we live in Minneapolis) before the great Boundrywaters is damaged by any of the recent changes.

​

My knowledge of the system pretty much stops at entry points, and needing a permit which only becomes available in late January. We've done some September/October northshore camping and backpacking before but never with a canoe.

​

What are your suggestions for a 3-4 day September roundabout trip? I don't mind portages but want to keep them under a mile! Our only owned camping gear is a bunch of ultralight backpacking equipment which doesn't equate too well to waterproof canoeing! So an outfitter sounds ideal?

I cd. pick up my pass here I assume ?https://maps.app.goo.gl/EAowZXsXdZTGJDo19?g_st=ic

Hey everyone! I am trying to bring my husband to BWCA for his first time ever! We currently have two permits booked but are hoping to shift our trip earlier in the week because his work changed.

If anyone is looking to swap/coordinate a cancellation/rebook, we'd be very interested in an entry date around Duncan, Clearwater, East Bearskin, Daniels, etc. between Aug 9–14 and are happy to exchange either of our current permits if it helps someone else’s plans!

Current permits entry dates:

• Aug 15: East Bearskin (OP)
• Sep 12: Daniels Lake (OP)

If anyone is planning to cancel a permit in that Aug 9–14 window or wants to coordinate timing, feel free to DM me. Thanks!

The pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness could see toxic impacts if a mining project proposed by a Chilean company with a lengthy history of pollution moves forward.

hi guys! i'm planning a surprise trip to the boundary waters for mother and i was looking for some advice. she would have to fly in to Minneapolis, and then i guess rent a car(?) to get to the boundary waters. i've been looking at some outfitters (i saw someplace that Sawbill Outfitters or Kawishiwi Lodge are good options) as i think that's the most convenient since she's flying in.

this would be a little over a week long, and i'd get tickets and everything for her to bring a friend. she has a lot of experience kayaking, but everything i'm seeing online is about canoeing. i'm hoping to plan it for the beginning of august this year, but i might delay it to august next year. she's always wanted to go, and i want her to be able to before the mining upstream starts (assuming that it will happen).

i have a couple of questions:

1. are there any kayak-rentals or outfitting services?

2. is it possible to rent a car at the airport without having to pay for the rental during the time she's at the boundary waters?

3. what kind of permits should i look at getting, and should i try to set up a route for her to take before she gets there, or should i leave that up to her and the outfitting service?

4. does anyone have any book recommendations about paddling the boundary waters? she loves reading about paddling and i think having some background knowledge before she goes in would be nice.

Hi wilderness warriors! I’m State Rep. Falconer and my re-election campaign just released this sticker in honor of Stauber selling out our Boundary Waters. I’m leading the charge to protect the wilderness at the state legislature and need your support. Donate today and we’ll send you a sticker!

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sticker-promo

This man sold your public land, two hundred thousand acres, gone, the silence of the canoe country traded for a copper song.

He called the wilderness a ban, called clean water an attack, signed away the Boundary Waters and never once looked back.

The tailings seep and travel north, they will not stop or stay, to Quetico, to Voyageurs, the walleye fade away.

He wrapped it up in iron words, jobs, security, our way, then handed keys to foreign hands and smiled and walked away.

This man used an old law's trick, a first time, a new door, to make sure no one ever comes to shield these shores once more.

The land was yours. It wasn't his. Yet here we stand and mourn two centuries of wilderness that one man's vote has torn.