My husband and I will be visiting the BWCA this Aug for our first time. We love kayaking and would like to start off with a one day trip. We will be camping both on the Gunflint Trail and in Ely. Any ideas for a long one day trip? We would love to see some wildlife too. Thanks!

One day plus one night? Or, just a day trip? How many miles are you comfortable with?

You'll find that one day is kind of like eating only half a potato chip.

Welcome to the site :-)

Day permits allow paddling from any entry point without reservation. Fill out a self registering permit at the entry point. You cannot camp within the BWCA on a day permit. There are no limits so many of the entry points you will be wanting have heavy traffic. That impacts wildlife viewing.

Lake One near the end of the Fernberg road east of Ely would fit your request. Significant open water on smaller/mid sized lakes with minimal portaging. The southern edge of Lake Two and beyond has regrowth from the Pagami Creek Fire, something different than the routine.

North from Moose a short portage gets you into Birch and plenty of water to paddle.

OBX2Kayak is on target with the half a potato chip. The "real" BWCA starts a couple portages in, too far to go in and get back out on a day permit. Come enjoy. The taste will hopefully get you into a return for the better half of the chip.

Check out the special interest group on kayaking for some tips.

In the Gunflint Trail area, I think Saganaga and Seagull would suit your needs.

quote boonie: "In the Gunflint Trail area, I think Saganaga and Seagull would suit your needs. "

+1. Make the loop through Seagull, Alpine, Red Rock and Saganaga back to the south where you started.

My wife and I just did a one day loop last weekend: EP Homer to Vern to Juno to Brule. Consider the wind when you begin your trip...from the west go Homer direction, from the East start at Brule. Have seen moose a couple of times on Homer and last week enjoyed two playful otters. Good fishing on Vern and Juno trolling shad raps and nice smallies on Homer. We didn't see anyone until reaching Brule. Falls between Vern and Juno. Easy portages. EXCEPTIONAL wildflowers on the hike from Brule EP to Homer EP. Fresh moose tracks too.

Try the Kawishiwi River starting at #32 South Kawishiwi. One mid sized portage & then a half day of open water.

Or start at #30 Lake One & paddle all around that area, not a portage at all unless you want to travel over to Lake Two.


This map is not great and marked with 3 day trips but you'll see #32 & #30 on it.