I really want to do a 5-7 day canoe/camping trip this summer. Can anyone offer any advice of how to get started, who to talk with, who to stay away from? The info on the internet is overwhelming.
Thanks.
pm sent
Chris,
I would highly Recommend Talking to Latourell’s Just north of Ely. They can take care of a whole package for you or just the things you don’t have/need. The Moose lake entry point has a lot of different route options and a lot of species of fish within a reasonable range. We do a trip in this area every may and it is always very memorable.
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Chris,
I would highly Recommend Talking to Latourell’s Just north of Ely. They can take care of a whole package for you or just the things you don’t have/need. The Moose lake entry point has a lot of different route options and a lot of species of fish within a reasonable range. We do a trip in this area every may and it is always very memorable.
We go out of Latourells every summer and we get fantastic accommodations and service. 
I can’t help with Quetico having never been there but have heard the fishing is potentially better. It is way more expensive and a fraction of the crowds. It is also more roughing it, there aren’t designated campsites and no latrines.
For BWCA, the permit lottery is open now until Jan 15. After that your permit options will become more limited. I like to apply for a primary and backup permit. You only lose a small reservation fee when cancelling the backup.
Try Voyageur Maps for online trip planning. I use their maps to check out the entry points, nearby lakes and campsites, and portages to get to them. Most of the DNR lake surveys are outdated but they give you a general idea. Voyageur Maps link. I plan on 2 MPH average speed including portages if you are prepared, or 3 MPH over just water.
For planning gear, most outfitters publish a list of their packages. It helps to figure out what you need even if you aren’t getting outfitted. Here’s one from Sawbill.
For buy versus rent, most gear pays for itself after a few years.
Good luck you will become addicted.
I’d pick an area first (Gunflint, Ely, Sawbill) then outfitter second.
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We go out of Latourells every summer and we get fantastic accommodations and service.
x2!!!! 
Thanks guys! Keep ’em comin’. I’m getting pretty jacked up about it. Post pics, stories, etc.
I used Sawbill a few years back for a fall trip. I was very happy with the service I received.
I go to fish not so much to canoe. If that is what you are doing, paddle hard for a day or two and get set up in a nice spot. Fish for as long as you have left. If you travel every day you will lose most of the day breaking down and setting up camp and then traveling to your next camp site. You’ll know how hard you have to work to get back in the time you made it to your destination. I have never used an outfitter. Just accumulated the necessities over the years. Take plenty of garbage bags in case you need to keep anything dry. They are light and pack easily. Curried fish over rice is very good after a long day of fishing
I always went out off the Gunflint trail north of Grand Marais. Awesome drive along the north shore and good access to either the BWCAW or Quetico–with a little less traffic than Ely. Worth a look.
These guys used to be my outfitters–took good care of me, and outfitted partial to full packages. Very knowledgable and helpful–also, we usually had them give us a tow up to American point by boat to access the Quetico and saved a half-days paddling! Good tripping!
http://www.tuscaroracanoe.com/
-Rev
I would try packsack but of course im bias as they were my cub scout/boy scout troop leaders before they bought it and i have stayed there we were catching 10 to 14.5 inch crappie off the dock and they offer full packages for canoe ins http://www.canoecountry.com/packsack/
Another vote for Packsack. We took out troop there in ’07, absolutely has everything organized and packed that you’d need. They also do partial outfitting too, just rent canoes and whatever you need. Moose is a VERY busy put in oint but a good day paddling and a few portages will get you away from most of the crowds.
Thanks for all the information. Keep it rollin’ I’ve got 2 guys committed so far. What time of year seems to be the best?
Found this video. Looks like fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByQkGJADW6Y&feature=related
I went with this gentleman last year http://www.cqo2000.com/cqo/index.htm
We drove up around the top of the park, let met tell you it was worth the effort. Doug is by far the kindest outfitter you will ever meet. He is not a 10 or 20 person business. He is a 1 man show and he will show you what service is all about at a more than fair price. As far as fishing goes, well I went to Quetico through Ely and the Gunflint trail for years. The fishing on the north end of the park is superior. The park access itself is easier, once we were dropped off at our access point we were catching pike over 10# within an hour. On our way out we were hammering lakers within an hour of being picked up at a different access point. Canadien access = less pressure, less people, less money (no remmote border crossing permit) PM and I will be happy to share more details, we have already booked our trip with Doug for next year. We like going in late May. No bugs, fish are shallow, few people…
Here are some pics from last year
Oh man…that’s enticing!
Well as you might guess from my username – I canoe A LOT. I have been on over 35 BWCQ or Quetico trips. As far as outfitters I really think it matters what you are going for and how much you want to spend. I also recommend a magazine called “Boundary Waters Journal”. Look it up on line. This is a great resource for trip ideas etc. While I have never gone through an outfitter for out gear we always stay at Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely in their bunkhouse. They have also helped us with shuttling vechicles and tows into the Quetico. There are always pros and cons for both areas, again just what you want to do. I have gone from — cover lots of miles, to — go slow and enjoy. Decide what you want and expect (this is not for everyone) and I am sure you can get pointed in the right direction.
after reading this and watching the youtube video, i’m thinking a BWCA trip is in my near future…
Anyone else have any thoughts?
This web site is a good place to poke around
Chris,
If I can help answer any questions feel free to ask, we having been going into the BWCA since the late 50’s. My dad actually logged in the BWCA back in the late 50’s. We lived in Camp 10 a logging camp about 40 miles outside of Ely when I was a little kid. I have not been back up there in over 10 years but it is a beautiful place.
My dad and some of his friend’s hauled a picnic table on top of their canoe across several lakes during high water one spring to get it back in where we camp. That table was there for over 30 years, we had painted it several times and it was great to have a table until one year it was gone.
We do not know if some idiots burnt it or the Rangers used it to build a dump box, which was never there before that.
That was a great video, this video was taken on the river between the first and second lake that we put in on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ntQkK7ETs&feature=related
We go back in across Kiwishiwi, Square, Baskatong, Polly, Koma, Malberg, Fern or Frond depends on the map, and camp on Boze.
Very few people camp on this lake or even go in that direction because it is so far out of the way from the main trail.
IceNutz, thanks for the tips. As time gets closer, I might be giving you a call.
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