Thinking about taking the family for the 2nd trip this summer probably 3 nights. Going to go in off of the Gunflint, but no details other than that. My kids will be 12, 9 and nearly 6 and love to swim. Are there some good swimming spots that would fit this kind of trip and why do you consider them good swimming spots?

Thanks!

Are you planning a trip into the BWCAW? Maybe the Granite River could provide a few spots, but generally the lakes off the Gunflint Trail aren’t known for great swimming beaches. (Rocky shores, quick drop offs, etc) There is a prior thread that talks of a couple sand beaches on Seagull Lake but no campsite numbers are given. There is also the swimming area at Mink Lake across from Kimball Lake Campgrounds if you are just staying along the Gunflint Trail.

Yes, I mean into the BWCAW. I have been in off the Gunflint many times so am aware of the rockiness and the steep dropoffs, but it's still a nice reminder. I was hoping someone would know something I don't.

Thanks!

Far east end of Gunflint has a sandy beach, not sure of how fast it gets deep though, or if it is on the Canadian side though. Sag has a nice sandy beach on a site near American point. There is also a nice beach at thunder point on knofe lake, but that might be futher in than you‘d like.

The western end of Long Island Lake has a couple sites with sandy beaches. The site on the island has a sandy bottom that extends out quite a ways. Also a site along the NE shore of this section, near the portage from Karl. Also, Frost Lake has some nice sandy areas.

Grand Marais swimming pool.

Far east end of Gunflint Lake has a campsite with a lot of sand beach. It also has sharp rocks below the surface...one of my kids did a shallow dive in 2' or so of water and tore his thumb up.

Thanks for all of the great replies. I guess my idea of 'good swimming' off of the Gunflint doesn't necessarily mean sandy bottom or flat, but it does mean at least 10' of 'swimmable' water before the huge dropoff. Don't get me wrong, a sandy beach would be great, I'm just not expecting it.

I'll second the Long Island Lake 'island' campsite. Fairly shallow, sandy-ish bottom around the island. We went in early June and didn't do much swimming. Good luck!

Exactly which island campsite on Long Island Lake are you guys referring to? Looking at the map I see a total of 5 campsites on islands on that lake.

Thanks!

If your looking for a really easy trip, with no portages. Enter Sea Gull.

How is the wind on Sea Gull? I try to avoid big water with my kids because I don't want to frighten them in the wind.

Like any of the west-east lying lakes the wind does kick up and create some chop

quote bargainliker: "Exactly which island campsite on Long Island Lake are you guys referring to? Looking at the map I see a total of 5 campsites on islands on that lake.


Thanks!
"

There's a large western section that is kind of set-off from the rest of the lake. There's an island near the center of this section, and one campsite on it. In the map section, it is site #567.

Thanks, Lightfoot!

Frost has a couple of sites with sand beaches, haven't camped on them but I have heard they're nice.

Also there is a big beach on northeast side of Frost that you can walk to from one of the campsites.

woods and walker
where did you get that map with all the info on it?