Hi all!

I am wondering if this scenario seems unrealistic or unwise: My wife and I drive from Brainerd to get to EP 51 (after stopping at the ranger station) by NOON on a Monday in June and try to find an open campsite on Missing Link Lake (3 sites) or Snipe Lake (4 sites). It looks like that entry point allows 5 op permits per day. We aren't planning on going through an outfitter.

Thanks in advance!

Best case this puts you in the water by 2pm after unloading gear, late but not terrible or unwise by any means. Days are long in June, this still gives you almost 7 hours of daylight, which is plenty of time to get into Tuscarora with hours of daylight to spare, even at a relaxed pace (assuming this is your planned dest). Either way, between ML, Snipe, or even Cross Bay Lake, I suspect you will find an open site. Generally speaking, groups entering EP51 in the morning are pushing through to Tuscarora or beyond, groups entering very late are planning on staying on Missing Link or Snipe. Sometimes groups coming out plan on the last night being Missing Link but usually they just stay on Tuscarora and hammer out the long portage in the AM.

With that said, if all 5 groups for the day show up after noon, you may be battling for sites.

Personally I like being on the water before 8am and get that calm glassy water to kick off my trip, no stress about rushing, and generally no fuss at the entry point rubbing elbows with other groups on the landings. Consider a hotel Sunday night somewhere closer, even Duluth gets you 2+ hours closer. Tuscarora Bunkhouse is a great option too and much cheaper. If you dont already have this permit in hand, you can select Tuscarora as your permit pick up location, you dont have to outfit through them to get your permit there or use the bunkhouse.

AlexanderSupertramp: "Tuscarora Bunkhouse is a great option too and much cheaper. If you dont already have this permit in hand, you can select Tuscarora as your permit pick up location, you dont have to outfit through them to get your permit there or use the bunkhouse."

Good idea...thank you!

Likely fine - that first site on Missing Link is usually open as it's one of the worst in the neighborhood.

Doing the bunkhouse thing at Tuscarora Lodge is easy. You can arrive anytime and they'll have it set up with a sign and your name. Not expensive and you get an early start. More time in the BW!

Went on a solo trip to Snipe last year in late June. Left from Tuscarora Outfitters around 9 am and was on Snipe in a couple of hours. Was able to canoe around to check out the three western sites and all were open. Came back to the site closest to the Missing Link to Snipe portage. It is on a point, is elevated, and has great views (loved the site!). Saw very few people pass by on Snipe in four days. Exited via Cross Lake Bay and Ham Lake so was able to check out the easternmost campsite on Snipe - that was open as well and looked like it had not been used recently.

I agree that many who enter via Missing Link make their way to Tuscarora. I think you should be fine with finding a camp site on Snipe if you go that far. But as was stated, you would be better served to be on the water earlier to increase your chances of finding an open site or to have more time to move of if needed.

Speckled: "Likely fine - that first site on Missing Link is usually open as it's one of the worst in the neighborhood."

:) I've read that...thanks for the reply!

Jefflynn06: "Went on a solo trip to Snipe last year in late June. Left from Tuscarora Outfitters around 9 am and was on Snipe in a couple of hours. Was able to canoe around to check out the three western sites and all were open. Came back to the site closest to the Missing Link to Snipe portage. It is on a point, is elevated, and has great views (loved the site!). Saw very few people pass by on Snipe in four days. Exited via Cross Lake Bay and Ham Lake so was able to check out the easternmost campsite on Snipe - that was open as well and looked like it had not been used recently.


I agree that many who enter via Missing Link make their way to Tuscarora. I think you should be fine with finding a camp site on Snipe if you go that far. But as was stated, you would be better served to be on the water earlier to increase your chances of finding an open site or to have more time to move of if needed."

Good info...thanks!

I've camped on both, mostly Snipe, several times in mid-Sept. and almost always am the only one.

Thanks for the responses!

Camped on Snipe numerous times and there have always been open campsites each night. Usually we are the only one on the lake. It is a pretty lake but not a great fishing lake so not many people stay there more than a night on their way in or out.

Snipe wasn't a great fishing lake (and I'll never claim to be a great fisherman either) however, I did catch fish to have for dinner one night.

Snipe is a pretty little lake. The "narrows" that connects the small northern portion to the larger southern portion is really cool to paddle through. And the first campsite on the point provided great sunrises and sunsets.

Thanks straighthairedcurly and Jefflynn06 !