BWCA Camping, Canoeing and Portaging Tips
Canoeing the thousand of lakes in this area can be a wonderful experience full of adventure and exploration. We use large stable canoes that have a keel along the bottom to prevent drift and keep you going along a straight path. Your enjoyment and safety our main concern, so we will cover some canoeing basics to ensure a rewarding and pleasantly memorable trip. Please remember that the canoe is your way into and out of the wilderness, so utmost care is required to make sure damage is prevented. Never drag you canoe from the water or along portages lift and carry, we'll show you how. Also never run rapids, portages are there for a reason, and that reason is to prevent a quick and sometimes tragic end to your vacation.Canoeing Safety
Wear your life jacket! State law requires to have one with you, but only works if your wearing it. This is especially important when crossing large lakes or in windy conditions. Strap or secure all Duluth Packs to the canoe, if you do dump the canoe stay with it and it will support you and all your gear whether right side up or upside down. Paddle along the shore line to assist in navigation and for safety sake, especially important early and late in the season when cold waters can bring on hypothermia quickly. Keep your body and gear centered in the canoe, you can move your arms and legs but your back side should stay in one place. Take special care when loading and unloading as well as fishing. Paddling partners should paddle on separate sides of canoe, when you get tired call a switch, take one more stroke ands switch sides. When paddling against a wind put weight towards front and do directly into the wind, when paddling with the wind put weight towards the back. Don't get turned sideways into waves or wake, as you could swamp, go into them head on. Stay off of big water or close to shore in windy conditions. In strong winds get to shore and stay there. If you are windbound, well pick you up the next day, no extra charge. Generally early starts on travel days is a good idea. Winds usually begin in the late morning or early afternoon and subside by evening.Portaging
Portages come in many different lengths an conditions, some are smooth and even, some swampy, some up and down hills, rocky and rough. Shoes are important here, protect your feet and ankles, and your trip will go much better. To find portages, look for lower levels of land and treeline at the ends of the lake. They usually look like paths or gravel trails. When you get to the portage unload packs and gear and set away from water and out of the portage path. The canoe should go down the path first Most canoe damage comes at the end of a portage when put down in the wrong place. Get some help taking it off your shoulders, or get all the way to the water, people carrying packs follow. You can put a pack on front and back and the extra balance helps with weight, but watch your footing. There is no dishonor in double portaging, and can reduce the risk of injury. The last person down the portage should check for life jackets, paddles, fishing rods, cameras, everything. Across the next lake is no place to remember what you forgot.Portage lengths on BWCA maps are measured in rods; one rod is about 16.5 feet, so a 100 rod portage is roughly a third of a mile. A lightweight Kevlar canoe from our rental fleet makes long portages much easier.
Camping
Inside the BWCAW you must camp at a Forest Service designated campsite, marked by a steel fire grate and a latrine. Groups are limited to nine people and four watercraft, and cans and glass bottles are not allowed for food and drinks. Travel early for best campsite selection doing it in the dark is no fun. Setting up camp on islands helps reduce your chances of bear problems and usually provide a breeze to keep mosquitoes away. Look for level tent sites away from the fire pit, a tarp under your tent should keep you dry, don't let excess go more than a couple of inches past tent though. Be aware of down trees and exposed roots in the immediate area that could blow down or conduct electricity in a storm. Also a lightning storm is no time to start hanging tarps, keep an eye on the weather and be prepared A clean, organized camp helps prevent bear problems and lost equipment. Delegating duties works best with everyone responsible for some chores. Cook on a low fire to avoid burning food, most freeze dried food just requires a boiling water, so it is all done at the same time. Rub a light layer of dish soap on outside of pots and soot will wipe off.Food Storage and Bears
Clean dishes and store food before dark. Remember, no food in the tents unless you would like bears in your dreams. From April 1 to November 30, the Forest Service requires that food, coolers, scented items such as soap, lip balm and toothpaste, and garbage be hung at least 12 feet above the ground and at least 6 feet out from the trunk of a tree, or stored in a certified bear-resistant container. Our complete outfits include a bear rope and pulley system for hanging food packs. The Forest Service also recommends carrying bear spray.Campfires and Leave No Trace
Campfires are allowed only in the steel fire grates at designated campsites, and fire restrictions are sometimes put in place during dry summers, so check with us before you leave. Dead firewood can be found along shorelines away from campsite; do not cut live trees. White birchbark from dead trees can be peeled and will light wet or dry. Keep fires small and contained, never leave a fire unattended, drown it completely before bed, and be extra careful with axes, saws and fillet knives. Wash dishes, bathe and brush teeth at least 150 feet from lakes and streams, and remember that even biodegradable soap pollutes water. Carry fish remains well back into the woods, away from campsites, portages, trails and the shoreline, and pack out everything you packed in.Personal Gear/What To Bring
With complete outfitting this is all you need to pack. Use a stuff sack or pillow case so we can fit it into your Duluth pack.- 2 Pair Shoes, one wet, one dry.
- Sandals are great for camp and canoeing, but rough on portages. Old hiking boots or tennis shoe are best for travel.
- 2-3 Pair socks, wool dry fast and keep feet warm when wet as do high tech materials.
- Underwear, pants, swim suit, t- shirts,bandanna, pajamas or sweatclothes, hat
- Long sleeve shirt sweater/jacket
- Polar Fleece works well under rain gear and makes a good pillow
- Rain Gear
- Personal toiletries, soap, medications
- Mosquito Repellent and a head net in June
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Pocket Knife/Lighter
- Camera, Binoculars,(Protect from moisture)
- Compass/Whistles/Role of utility cord or rope
- Fishing Rod , Selected Lures, Small Tackle Box, and your fishing license
- A couple of garbage bags.
- Stuff sack or pillow case to pack this in
- Cards/ Paperbacks/Note pad
Each group should also carry
- First Aid Kit/ Manuals
- Maps/Compass
- Small tool kit or leatherman type
- tool (pliers and screwdrivers)
- Small compacted role of duct tape
- Water tablets, Filter
- Fishing Net/ Fillet Knife
- Bear spray
Pack Light Keep Everything to a Minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can we camp in the Boundary Waters?Only at Forest Service designated campsites with a steel fire grate and a latrine. Campsites are first come, first served, so plan to find camp early in the afternoon.
How should we store food in the BWCA?
From April 1 to November 30, hang food and scented items at least 12 feet up and 6 feet from the tree trunk, or use a certified bear-resistant container. Never keep food in your tent.
Can we bring canned food or bottled drinks?
No. Cans and glass bottles are not allowed for food or beverages. Our food packs are packed to meet this rule.