Greetings,

In 2 short days I will be turning 25 and to celebrate I have decided to winter camp in the BWCA for five days, only this time in the winter. I have some winter camping experience, in the boy scouts, and also in my later adult life. I'm having trouble picking out a spot, I'll have a hot tent I'll be renting but I'm struggling to pick out a site for the 5 days I'll be in the BWCA. I've attacked from Grand Marais in most of my recent trips and would like to do so again this time. My trip is February 2nd-7t, and if anyone had any ideas for camp sites/parking places I would greatly appreciate any and all insights that could be provided.

To help you with your planning, the top pinned item on Winter Camping and Activities page is a spreadsheet that shows which entry points are plowed and which are not. This usually gets updated throughout the year. Also Andy at Tuscarora Lodge usually does great weekly videos in winter showing the parking lake conditions, plus inspirational fishing videos. Easy to find on YouTube.

In winter the Forest Service encourages us not to camp in established campsites, probably to prevent damage to the plants and shrubs on the periphery ( Winter Camping, page 11 ). Some people do, but its not encouraged. I usually either camp on the ice in a small, secluded bay near shore or in a black spruce swamp where I can pack down the snow without damaging the plants below. This really gives you more freedom to camp in lots of places. It also allows you to camp closer to good wood supplies, which obviously matter more in winter.

As for specific route, it sort of depends if you are more interested in fishing or just finding a secluded space and enjoying. The nice thing about winter is you don't have to go in too far to feel secluded, though there are some established routes for fishing which may have more people.

Congratulations and have fun!

My first BWCA winter camp was on Tuscarora Lake. I parked at Round Lake, went thru Missing Link and across the tough Tusc Portage. I took the first camp site to the west and had a great few nights. Caught my first winter lake trout thru the ice out from the campsite.

Have fun planning.

No matter what route and trip you decide, be prepared to abandon the plan. Don't get summit fever for doing the trip and getting to that lake no matter what.

Watch the weather and the forecast. That will decide your trip.

Minnesotian: "
No matter what route and trip you decide, be prepared to abandon the plan. Don't get summit fever for doing the trip and getting to that lake no matter what.


Watch the weather and the forecast. That will decide your trip. "

Watch the weather indeed. The learning curve is steep as well. My first trip was into Tuscarora, I was overloaded, had a lot to learn about keeping the toboggan upright, had the wrong snowshoes for the task, and got about 6 inches of heavy snow while I was out there so had to break trail all the way back. A shorter trip may be better, in case of things going sideways, gear failure, or whatever might come up. Mcfarland to Pine may be a good option. Either way, have a blast and write a trip report!

Minnesotian: "
No matter what route and trip you decide, be prepared to abandon the plan. Don't get summit fever for doing the trip and getting to that lake no matter what.


Watch the weather and the forecast. That will decide your trip. "

I’ve done many trips by foot, snowshoe, ski, and dogsled. This is the best advice. Conditions change. Travel can be easy one day and a beast the next.