I am think of doing a short camping trip with my father in law and son. I have been playing around with the website to compare camping sites. Are there any bad sites? Most sites look good to me other then maybe too exposed if you got a big wind. What are some essential items to bring. Thanks for any info/tips
I would say it depends on when you go as to which lake you would like to camp on. Early in the season the Walleye guys like Kabetogama. Later they like Namakin. Namakin is easier to hide out of the wind in my opinion. But that more depends on the size of your boat.
What lake you pick will also help dictate which launch you use.
Try and find a site with a protected dock. A high site is better to get a breeze on to help with flies & Skeeters.
Sites down by Junction Bay are nice I think.
Send Twins Guy a PM. Ask how he liked his site last year.
If you need anything else shoot me a pm I have my maps right next to me.
There are campsites with a rock landing, “soft” landing, sand landing or dock. You can probably guess which type I prefer. Sometimes you need to be creative with tying up to a dock, as the lake level rises and falls depending on the season. Some of the “soft” landings are clay with a thin layer of sand on top. Makes a mess out of your boat floor. The sites on Williams Island and the south side of Namakan Island are decent.
As far as essential items, I once (before reservations were required) called my wife and told her I still had bait, gas, food, beer and toilet paper so I was staying another day. Just like camping anywhere, I always have a small tarp to put up over the picnic table in case of rain. I use a bag-style water filter so I don’t need to tote along bottled water.
May 1, 2015:
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Dutch is a wealth of knowledge in this area.
Btw, who here remembers fisher dave/David_scott?
I have only been on Rainy and all the sites are pretty good imo. Bring more gas and bug spray than you think you will need, and a marine radio as your cell phone likely won’t get reception.
I’ve also only been on Rainy but agree with what’s been said about campsites, prefer a dock or sand site if you can get one and avoid rock sites if possible. The elevated campsites are nice regarding bugs but some of them can be a steep hike up from the water.
Rainy is so big east to west that it’s a fairly long boat ride if you want to get into the park a ways but I’ve camped east of the Brule Narrows with only a small 15′ v-bottom and a 20hp motor, so it can be done.
I think that the NPS reservation website does a pretty nice job RE: pictures of the campsites, IMO you can get a good feel of what to expect from any particular site. Hope this helps, good luck.
Which area are you looking at camping in and what time of summer?
I’ve spent over 400 nights camping out on the islands of Kab, Namakan and the east end of Rainy, and have looked at most all of the campsites in those areas.
Let us know what you’re thinking. I will say that many of the nicest campsites are already filing up fast. If your flexible on dates it will make it easier.
I’ve got a week stay on east Rainy early July, 5 days on Kab in late July, and 4 days on Namakan in mid August reserved so far.
They put in a AT&T tower several years ago. I get reception in most area’s. Not sure about Verizon or other carriers.
Which area are you looking at camping in and what time of summer?
Let us know what you’re thinking. I will say that many of the nicest campsites are already filing up fast. If your flexible on dates it will make it easier.
Agree with this, too. Before the reservation website, I always used to go in on Sundays and had decent luck finding sites and now try schedule short trips on like Sunday – Wednesday or Monday – Thursday to get the best sites.
Dutch is a wealth of knowledge in this area.
Btw, who here remembers fisher dave/David_scott?
Thanks but xplorer and several others know much more about VNP than I do. I just try to help when I can.
I remember Dave but never met him personally. Lots of guys who are gone from here. 
They put in a AT&T tower several years ago. I get reception in most area’s. Not sure about Verizon or other carriers.
I get cell coverage, AT&T, all over Rainy. The catch is certain areas, including on HWY 11, my phone will switch over to the Canadian cell tower. Still service but you’ll pay a premium.
I was wondering how you guys charge your batteries. Or if anyone uses a generator??
We just booked our third year on rainy in june. We bring a honda generator to charge boat batteries.
I have never used a generator. On a usual 5 day trip I just really watch how much I’m using it (80# terrova on my 18.5′ Tyee), and also use a drift bag at times. My trips are almost all family trips, so its not a hard-core fish 18 hours a day type of thing. If thats the intent, then yes you’re gonna need a generator to recharge.
I have ATT and get good cell coverage on east Kab and Namakan, with just a small section of far East Namakan that is spotty.
Blackbay, I’ve had tough coverage for ATT down in the Shelland/Blueberry island island area on east Rainy. Is there a new ATT tower down that way or are you more talking about west of the Brule?
Depending on the time of year I like camping out of the wind most of the time-so east side of islands and protected coves. Wind in the park can be a real issue esp with smaller craft, your boat can take a beating if your not careful. There are unmarked reefs and rocks so be wary at all times. A screen gazebo is a must for me. Also good to have also extra tarps, good rain gear and a radio for weather if phone does not work and a good map.
I have never used a generator. On a usual 5 day trip I just really watch how much I’m using it (80# terrova on my 18.5′ Tyee), and also use a drift bag at times. My trips are almost all family trips, so its not a hard-core fish 18 hours a day type of thing. If thats the intent, then yes you’re gonna need a generator to recharge.
I have ATT and get good cell coverage on east Kab and Namakan, with just a small section of far East Namakan that is spotty.
Blackbay, I’ve had tough coverage for ATT down in the Shelland/Blueberry island island area on east Rainy. Is there a new ATT tower down that way or are you more talking about west of the Brule?
Yea, more Saginaw Bay and west. In fact I haven’t been east of there for years.
Yea, more Saginaw Bay and west. In fact I haven’t been east of there for years.
OK, that makes sense then. I seem to only get the canadian cell network down there. I’ve always come from Ash River landing and thru Kettle Falls when I camp the east end. In fact, never been thru the Brule, LOL. Used to fish Swell and Redgut on the ONT side.
I think I’m going to run from the NPS dock on Rainy for my early July trip, camping down on the east end of Kempton channel. Good to know I may have some coverage if I go a little west into Saginaw. Thanks.
My boat is set up for week long trips to Kab in the spring.
I have a Minnkota DC-2 intelligent charger that recharges the trolling motor batteries off the main motor alternator.
Thanks for all the relies. I was thinking that we would do a late June trip.
Which lake?
Namakan or Sand Point lake. Can you launch out of Crane Lake?
Yes, launching on Crane is the way to go. There’s three public launches. Two off Handberg road, a third smaller across from the ranger station.
A screen gazebo is a must for me.
X2 enjoy the sunsets without getting killed by mosquitoes.
Yes, launching on Crane is the way to go. There’s three public launches. Two off Handberg road, a third smaller across from the ranger station.
Only if fishing Crane. Ash RIver Trail is more centrally located for the others.
Ash river to sandpoint or even the majority of the numerous east end Namakan sites is a haul. Crane lake is an easier boat ride imo.
Ash river to sandpoint or even the majority of the numerous east end Namakan sites is a haul. Crane lake is an easier boat ride imo.
If he wants to stay on the far east end you are correct.
Dutch was a huge help when we took our first trip last year. We used the Ash River Entry and stayed around Junction Bay. It was perfect! We had site that was kinda wind protected with a short dock. We took a small Honda generator to charge the trolling motor. Feel free to pm me with ?s.
Cheers
Rich
I have a four year old so I was think of a sand landing site. It looks like in the photos that the dock sites are rocky with no sand.(My son will play in the sand for hours.)
Where can I find pictures of the campsites??
There is a day camp spot on Sheen Island. This spot has a dock,picnic table, sand beach, and even a restroom. Lots of people just stop there to stretch their legs. Excellent fishing is close by also.
I guess we would really need to know the plan and goal of what you want to do. Is it a fishing trip? A family get away? Want to do sight seeing? Plan on going to Kettle Falls? Lots of things to do there and depending on what you would like to do there are lots of sites to recommend.
Also, what are you running for a boat? Some sites require bigger water crossings then others. How much time do you think the little guy can spend in the boat? Will mom be ok at the camp site alone or will she be with all the time? Just the 3 of you or is there a group going?
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