BWCA Canoe Rental - Boundary Waters, Minnesota

Canoeing in the Boundary Waters - What to Know

The most popular way to experience the BWCA is via canoe. Although some of the lakes on the edge of the wilderness allow other boats, including motorized crafts, in order to witness the true, off-the-beaten-path BWCA, you will need a light-weight canoe for paddling and portaging. It is important to note that the BWCA is an area dotted with lakes. These lakes are connected by trails, or portages, thus, learning how to portage (carry a canoe over land to the next water source) is essential. 

Most locals and Boundary Water Canoe Area outfitters have a padded yoke in the center of the canoe to assist in portaging the canoe. This padded yoke comes in handy as the best way to portage single handedly is by turning the canoe upside down. With over one thousand and two hundred miles of canoe routes, you can select the best for your trip by availability of permits, ability of your group, and campsites.

First time to the BWCA? Check out our Boundary Waters for Beginners Guide!

Where to Paddle in the Boundary Waters: Canoe Routes

With thousands of miles of canoe and portage trails, the BWCA offers an adventure for all. For day trips or with kids, a great BWCA lake to take the canoe out on is Sea Gull Lake - an enormous, versatile, and extremely scenic lake that is easy, kid-friendly, and located close to several campsites near Entry #54. For overnight or multi-day canoe trips, there are hundreds of options across the BWCA. Beginner friendly lake routes include Long Island Base Camp, Saganaga Lake, Red Rock Loop, and Granite River. Some moderate to challenging routes include Crossbay to Poplar Lake, Frost River Loop, and Tuscarora West.

How to Get to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

To get to the Boundary Waters, most visitors fly to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) and drive to Ely, Tofte or Grand Marais. This takes about three hours and forty-five minutes. 

Others continue from the Twin Cities via a short connecting flight to Duluth, which is a two-hour drive from the BWCA. However, there is a lot to be seen from Duluth to the BWCA, and most locals would advise more time for special stops along the way to admire waterfalls and scenic views of Lake Superior.

The Best Time to Visit Boundary Waters

The summer months are the busiest time of year in the BWCA, and the majority of travelers head to the area to enjoy canoeing the Boundary Waters in the warm weather and swimming in the lakes after they’ve set up camp. June and July are typically the most popular months for canoe trips.  These months have some of the warmest weather, but they are also known for mosquitos, especially after sunset.   August welcomes cooler nights which means less mosquitos, and the water is still plenty warm for swimming.

You can visit the Boundary Waters any time of the year, and the mode of transportation switches to skis and snowshoes in the winter months.  The vast majority of visitors come in summer, but the BWCA is still magical in winter.  Whatever the season, if you are looking for a backcountry trip in a vast, undisturbed wilderness, this is the best place to do so.

BWCA Entry Points

In order to access the BWCA, you’ll need to enter at an official entry point. The Boundary Waters has about 70 different entry points through which paddlers can enter the wilderness for day trips or overnight trips. Typically, there is parking available at each entry point to leave a vehicle while in the BWCA. 

There are three general areas in which you can enter the BWCA: on the western side of the BWCA in Ely, MN, on the eastern side near Tofte, MN and off the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais, MN. Most travelers choose an entry point based on where they’ll be traveling from and which areas of the wilderness they want to explore. However, each entry point only allows a certain number of people into BWCA per day through the allocation of Boundary Waters permits, which may also impact your decision.

You can read our recommendations for the best Boundary Waters entry points in our Boundary Waters for Beginners Guide.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Outfitters

To get insider knowledge and advice about your route, as well as rent canoes and other gear, local outfitters are a wise choice. These local experts have many years of BWCA experience and will be able to share in-depth insights into the best Boundary Waters routes, campsites and entry points, along with providing the best kind of gear for the trip you have in mind.

All of TripOutside’s trusted BWCA outfitters have reviews with four stars or above to ensure a great experience for all. You can hear local tips, tricks, and more from Piragis Northwoods Company co-founder, Steve Piragis in this episode of the TripOutside podcast.

Save the Boundary Waters

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is threatened by sulfide-ore copper mining.  The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is leading the effort to ensure permanent protection for the Boundary Waters Wilderness, America's most visited Wilderness and Minnesota's crown jewel, from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining.

What would a Twin Metals mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters mean? Pollution. Here’s a look at different ways this toxic mine could pollute the Wilderness. Not this mine. Not this place. #SavetheBWCA

Find out more about how you can help Save the BWCA!