Have you ever wanted to disappear into the wilderness for a weekend, disconnecting from all technology and getting a taste of a more primitive, simple life? If you’re ready to take a step beyond car camping, consider planning a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota.
There are over 1200 miles of canoe routes on various pristine lakes to explore in the Boundary Waters, offering scenic paddling, portaging, and swimming opportunities. If you plan to visit the BWCA between April 30th and October 1st, you will need to reserve a permit ahead of time, which you can book online or call. Permits are for groups of up to 9 people or 4 canoes. You will need to pick up your permit at the designated issuing station the day of (or day before) you enter the Boundary Waters. Make sure you do some research to pick your desired route before reserving your permit, so you know which entry point you’ll need to access.
Seagull Outfitters
There are many different ways to do a Boundary Waters trip. Some seasoned experts have all their own gear, while others may need to make some reservations for equipment from a local outfitter. Seagull Outfitters on Seagull Lake is a fantastic company to work with to get your canoes and other gear for your camping trip, and they have a rustic bunkhouse that you can book a room in for an overnight. We did this for our first night, since we drove up after work and arrived late at night. It’s a great way to get some rest before setting off paddling first thing in the morning. If you need to reserve gear for your Boundary Waters trip, make sure to book in advance. Many outfitters can sell out and book up during the summer weekends.
Portaging in the Boundary Waters
This is the most grueling part of any Boundary Waters trip, in my personal opinion. There’s just nothing fun about hauling a canoe, heavy coolers, and gear across land when paddling is so much easier and more enjoyable. Prepare for the mosquitos to eat you as you walk through the woods. Thankfully, we only had one portage and it wasn’t too far of a walk. With a big group, you can better split the load which helps a lot.
Things To Do in the Boundary Waters
I brought a pool floaty, and it was a game changer! After you’ve paddled, portaged, and set up camp, you get to enjoy the relaxation part of the Boundary Waters. It’s so peaceful to be disconnected in nature, with no cell phone reception, no road noise, no technology whatsoever. I blew up my floaty and enjoyed the still, clean water of Seagull Lake, floating around the little island that our campsite was on.
Foraging & Wildlife Spotting
If you like blueberries, the Boundary Waters are a great spot for you to be! There are tons of wild blueberries at various campsites, so enjoy the free snack from Mother Nature. I wish I would have done more foraging research before our trip so I could see if there were other edible plants around our campsite.
In addition to finding lots of beautiful plants, you will see some iconic Minnesota wildlife in the Boundary Waters, like loons, beavers, and more. We didn’t see a bear though, which I am quite thankful for.
Live the Hammock Life
I would definitely recommend packing a few books when you venture to the boundary waters. You’ll have tons of time to kick back and read, as the sounds of nature serenade you all day. While you can find some hiking, there aren’t many established trails and it’s quite rugged, the preferable way to explore is on the water in a canoe or kayak instead of on foot. Plan to lounge around a lot of the day — a hammock that is easy to set up between two sturdy trees is a must.
Campfire Time
Self-explanatory. Build a fire, cook dinner, or just enjoy watching the firewood burn down to embers. We had a fire going each day and foraged our own wood from dead trees, as you’re supposed to do in the Boundary Waters. Do not bring firewood of your own — not only is it unnecessary weight, it can be harmful to the local environment if the wood contains any invasive bugs or other species that could harm this protected area.
Paddle Around
We took a day to paddle around to explore other campsites and check out various spots around the lake, which was a fun way to get some exercise and see more of our surroundings. We packed materials to make sandwiches and ended up having a picnic on the water one day, which was lovely. Find a cool swimming spot or go for a hike, there are many interesting things to see around the boundary waters. If you have binoculars, definitely bring those along as you have a good chance of spotting wildlife.
Camping Meal Ideas
Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches
Bacon, eggs, cheese, cream cheese, veggies, you name it! Toasting a bagel on a fire gives it a special smokiness and the carbs and protein will keep you fueled while you explore the wilderness. It’s also easy to pack — my one recommendation would be to make sure you pre-slice the bagels before setting off for your trip. While packing a knife is a must when camping, a bread knife is not the type you really need to lug along.
Tinfoil Dinners
This is a great way to cook a variety of things! You can do a cajun-style shrimp boil with potatoes, corn, shrimp, and andouille sausage (don’t forget to pack the seasonings and butter!) or Tex-Mex style ingredients, beef and veggies, really anything you want to roast in the fire. It’s a great way to use your campfire and for each member of your camping party to create their own meal. One way to save on time, if you have space to haul containers, is to prep any veggies or anything else you can chop ahead of time.
S’mores
This one goes without saying but I said it anyway. Don’t forget the campfire classic and pack those marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers. Nothing beats it and it truly is a must.
This is definitely not a comprehensive post on how to camp or explore the Boundary Waters. These are just some of the photos from my trip and some tips I am able to offer. I loved our experience and would love to go back, I think the only thing I’d like to avoid in the future is a long portage — hauling all the gear was a miserable time that I don’t need to relive. I’d also be curious about visiting the BWCA during an off-peak time, either spring or fall, when the mosquitos aren’t out in oppressive forces.
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