The following are not just routes in the Boundary Waters, but descriptions of different areas within the canoe country. Each route can have a number of different entry and exit point options. If you choose one of these routes, we will customize it to fit your party’s needs for a memorable Northwoods vacation. Please note that for each route the number of days needed to fulfill the shortest possible route and the level of difficulty to complete the trip (Easy, Moderate, Challenging, or Rugged).
Trip Planning note: When planning a route into the wilderness you must first know how many days you want to travel versus layover. An example would be a 7-day trip with 5 travel days and 2 layover days. You will also need to decide what you want to do… this can be fishing, site-seeing, swimming, photography, adventure travel (lots of miles), or just RELAXATION.
This is one of our favorite routes because it encompasses just about all the Boundary Waters has to offer – Beautiful scenery, good fishing, and your best chance at seeing moose! Throughout this trip you will paddle a small winding river, two wider rivers, cross two beautiful glacial lakes and camp on a small serene…
Route 1 Details
This is a excellent route if you only have three days or want to stay off the larger wind swept lakes. Your travel will consist of wider, scenic rivers and smaller, serene lakes. The entire route provides some excellent fishing opportunities as well as possible wildlife sightings, including Bald Eagles, river otters and moose. Wolf…
Route 2 Details
This is a popular route for canoe campers, mostly due to its ease of access, but for those willing to put in the effort you can penetrate some of the most remote areas of the wilderness. Moose are common here and the fishing enthusiast will find smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, lake trout and stream…
Route 3 Details
This route provides the Boundary Waters visitor with some incredible fishing as well as spectacular scenery. On your second day you will be near two sets of cascading waterfalls enroute to a famed fishing lake boiling with feisty game fish. While this route does provide amazing scenery and unparalleled fishing it is important to note…
Route 4 Details
This is one of the more dramatic routes in the Boundary Waters because it contains a great deal of history, scenery and some of the best fishing within the BWCA! Along this route you will learn about early Native American history as you view a ceremonial area used by Ojibway Braves and see the markings,…
Route 5 Details
By the end of your second day you should be leaving most parties behind enroute to your third day when your trip becomes remote and the scenery comes alive. This route takes you to beautiful lakes with bluffs rising up to 400 feet from the water’s edge that tower above your canoe. Another lake offers…
Route 6 Details
For those who wish to canoe and camp in the Boundary Waters but don’t necessarily want to travel everyday, there are several lakes and areas only a day or two travel inwards. These lakes may be used for fishing or just as a place to rest and store the gear while you go out and…
Route 7 Details
We offer free custom route planning for all of our guests! Call us today at 218-365-3466
You are on: Step Three - Planning your route
The routes outlined on this page gives you descriptions of different areas within the Boundary Waters. When setting up a trip we customize every route to each groups individual wants and needs. To have a customized trip routed out for your group give us a call at 218-365-3466.
Check out Step 4