Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region. Robert Beymer
Rules, Regulations, and Recommendations
Paddling Along the Canadian Border
Chapter 2: How to Plan a Wilderness Canoe Trip
When to Visit the Boundary Waters
Travel Permits, Fees, and Reservations
Chapter 3: Entry from Echo Trail South and Highway
Entry Point 1 Trout Lake
Entry Point 4 Crab Lake
Entry Point 6 Slim Lake
Entry Point 7 Big Lake
Entry Point 8 Moose River South
Entry Point 9 Little Indian Sioux River South
Chapter 4: Entry from the Echo Trail North
Entry Point 12 Little Vermilion Lake
Entry Point 14 Little Indian Sioux River North
Entry Point 16 Moose River North
Entry Point 19 Stuart River
Entry Point 20 Angleworm Lake
Entry Point 77 South Hegman Lake
Entry Points 22 & 23 Mudro Lake
Chapter 5: Entry from the Fernberg Road
Entry Point 24 Fall Lake
Entry Point 25 Moose Lake
Entry Point 26 Wood Lake
Entry Points 27 & 28 Snowbank Lake
Entry Point 29 North Kawishiwi River
Entry Point 30 Lake One
Entry Point 31 Farm Lake
Chapter 6: Entry from State Highway 1
Entry Point 32 South Kawishiwi River
Entry Point 33 Little Gabbro Lake
Entry Point 84 Snake River
Entry Point 75 Little Isabella River
Entry Point 67 Bog Lake
Entry Point 34 Island River
Entry Point 35 Isabella Lake
Appendix I: Routes Categorized by Difficulty and Duration
Appendix II: Commercial Canoe Trip Outfitters
Appendix III: Lake Index for Fishing
Appendix IV: BWCAW Hiking Trails in the Western Region
Appendix V: More Resources
Preface to the 6th Edition
This book was written for the peripatetic paddler—the canoeist who wants to explore the BWCA Wilderness. Base-campers and easy-going anglers, however, should also find a good deal of useful information herein to help them plan their trips.
My introduction to canoeing in the Boundary Waters occurred in 1967, along with 14 other members of my Explorer Post from Indianola, Iowa, and I’ve dipped my paddle in the cool, clear waters of “canoe country” every summer since then. While guiding BWCA canoe trips for Camp Northland from 1969 through 1977, I saw the need for a published trail guide. None existed at that time. My trail notes at Camp Northland became the foundation for this book.
The BWCAW, with over 200,000 visitors each year, is the most heavily used wilderness in the nation. With over a million pristine acres of lakes, rivers, and forests within its borders, however, the Boundary Waters should be large enough to accommodate its visitors. In 1976, less than one-third of the available quotas were actually used. Unfortunately, however, over two-thirds of the visitors to the Wilderness used less than 14 percent of the designated entry points. The result was (and still is) congestion at some of the most popular entry points. My book was written to help you discover the entry points and routes that may suit your desires and will result in the highest quality wilderness experience possible.
Since publication of my first book in 1978, over 100,000 copies of both volumes have been sold to inquisitive paddlers. Over the years, I received feedback from friends and strangers alike. At my work with camping stores in the Twin Cities and in Ely, as well as at speaking engagements throughout the upper Midwest, I had opportunities to personally meet many of my readers—a valuable experience that presents itself to few writers. Because of the feedback received, and because of continuing research conducted from my current home near the Wilderness, there have been many changes made to these guidebooks in successive editions and printings.
It may seem odd to the casual wilderness observer that frequent changes are necessary to update a guidebook like this one. “How can a wilderness change?” you might ask. Natural changes do occur, however, and readers need to know about them. Forest fires and windstorms occasionally alter the landscape. Beaver dams deteriorate and small lakes upstream literally dry up. Or new beaver dams are constructed, flooding portage trails.
More often, the changes that may significantly affect your visit are caused by decisions of Forest Service officials. I have witnessed many changes in the administration of the Boundary Waters. The ban against non-reusable food and beverage containers (cans and bottles) took effect in 1971. The visitor distribution (quota) system was started in 1976. Implementation of the