Does anyone know of any lakes or campsites that might be okay for swimming? I took my daughter last year and she had a blast. She wants to go on a longer trip this year. I might feel better about setting up a longer trip if I knew there was a chance she could swim. Thanks!

quote jjasken: "She wants to go on a longer trip this year."

What do you mean by longer? How long is long? How old is your daughter?

There are sand beaches good for swimming on the east side of Alice and Insula. Or, the island site on Basswood across from Basswood Falls. Many sites on the Number Lakes have good swimming too, with good easy entry, not too many rocks and not too deep or much drop off.

We just put on our life jackets - sometimes as diapers - wet shoes and swim at almost every site.

It depends on how old your daughter is and how far you are intending to travel. When the grand kids were 10 or under, we didn't travel too far and we always went in swimming with them while taking turns life guarding.

And above all, welcome Jon - nice to have you on the board!

quote Grandma L: "We just put on our life jackets - sometimes as diapers - wet shoes and swim at almost every site."

"okay for swimming"? I'll agree with Grandma L. Sure, there are some sites with impossibly sharp rock areas or steep drops, but with shoes and PFD, just about any site has a likely spot for getting in and at least cooling off/rinsing off some stink. Getting out?... That could occasionally be the deal breaker with some youngsters.

It has been a while since I have been there, but I remember Rog lake just off the south west corner of seagull being a nice lake for swimming. There was only one campsite on the lake but the slope into the lake was gradual and there wasn't a steep drop off by the campsite.

Isabella Beach

I don't know how badly this site has been impacted by fire, but it is fairly wonderful if not burned! It is the campsite closest to the Isabella Lake entry point. Lots of daytrip possibilities, or you could paddle down the Island River and exit either at Island River or Little Isabella River.

Grandma L, what island site are you referring to near basswood falls? I was looking on the mncanoeing maps and didn't see anything on the US side that looked like it fit the description.

Any other tips on finding it or a site number? Thanks!

A number of years ago we took a trip with some BWCA masters and brought along our daughter who was 6 at the time. On our way to Knife the kids put on their life jackets and floated down a stream and a calm (enough) rapid that opened up to the lake. Great fun for the kids and very safe because of the water level at the at time. Water was cool but they hiked back up and did it several times. Not a sandy beach but a lasting memory for our daughter. Wish I remembered where that was. Maybe someone else has a thought on location.

#286 on Cummings (if memory serves correctly) is also a decent spot if #284 is taken. One year the turtles were laying eggs at our campsite (#286). Fun to watch them go about their business.

quote cyclones30: "Grandma L, what island site are you referring to near basswood falls? I was looking on the mncanoeing maps and didn't see anything on the US side that looked like it fit the description.


Any other tips on finding it or a site number? Thanks!"

I believe she is referring to the island just South of upper Basswood falls coming from the pipestone direction. It has a small secluded cove with a pure sand bottom, for smaller kids this is a great site because there are trials covering the whole island and tons of open areas and tent sites. We call it whale island because of the shape.

Check out the beaches thread in the Cool spots in canoe country forum.

quote starman: "

quote cyclones30: "Grandma L, what island site are you referring to near basswood falls? I was looking on the mncanoeing maps and didn't see anything on the US side that looked like it fit the description.



Any other tips on finding it or a site number? Thanks!"

I believe she is referring to the island just South of upper Basswood falls coming from the pipestone direction. It has a small secluded cove with a pure sand bottom, for smaller kids this is a great site because there are trials covering the whole island and tons of open areas and tent sites. We call it whale island because of the shape."

Exactly! Basswood Site #1616

quote Grandma L: "

quote starman: "

quote cyclones30: "Grandma L, what island site are you referring to near basswood falls? I was looking on the mncanoeing maps and didn't see anything on the US side that looked like it fit the description.

Any other tips on finding it or a site number? Thanks!"

I believe she is referring to the island just South of upper Basswood falls coming from the pipestone direction. It has a small secluded cove with a pure sand bottom, for smaller kids this is a great site because there are trials covering the whole island and tons of open areas and tent sites. We call it whale island because of the shape."

Exactly! Basswood Site #1616"

Are you two talking about the same island? To me it looks like "Whale Island" would be sites 1534 and 1535.

Thanks for the tips guys and gals.

quote bstrege: "

quote Grandma L: "

quote starman: "

quote cyclones30: "Grandma L, what island site are you referring to near basswood falls? I was looking on the mncanoeing maps and didn't see anything on the US side that looked like it fit the description.

Any other tips on finding it or a site number? Thanks!"

I believe she is referring to the island just South of upper Basswood falls coming from the pipestone direction. It has a small secluded cove with a pure sand bottom, for smaller kids this is a great site because there are trials covering the whole island and tons of open areas and tent sites. We call it whale island because of the shape."

Exactly! Basswood Site #1616"

Are you two talking about the same island? To me it looks like "Whale Island" would be sites 1534 and 1535."

They are talking about two different islands. But they are right beside each other and swimming at both should be good.

I could have them switched, it's been a while since I stopped there.

There are a couple on Long Island Lake. The site just west of the portage from Karl has a nice sandy, shallow beach and the site south of the island has a nice sandy landing as well.