The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is our desination of choice.  We know it very well and believe that everyone should visit this beautiful of a place at least once in thier life. If your group has another destination in mind- let us know and we will be happy to accommodate. 

What is BWCA?

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a part of the Superior National Forest.  

Over 1 million acres in size
            Over 1,200 canoe routes
                        Over 16 hiking trails
                                    Over 2,000 designated campsites
                                                Over 1,000 lakes and rivers of varying sizes

History of the area:

Explanation of BWCA terms

 BWCA - Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

EP - Entry point

Base camping – to travel into the wilderness to particular destination where you will set up camp and stay each night. Day trips can be taken from this location. You will most likely take the same route you entered to exit the wilderness.

Loop camping – to move your campsite everyday or every other day and wind through the wilderness ending up at the same EP

Pictographs – Native American Indian paintings from hundreds of years ago usually on rock cliffs along the shoreline.  There are numerous pictographs at many locations in the BWCA. 

Portaging – Carrying your canoe and gear across the land to drop it into another river or lake.  Portages vary in difficulty ranging from long and sweet to short and treacherous.  Most are moderate with little trouble. However, if its solitude you’re looking for there’s nothing like putting a few portages in between you and the entry point.  Most people only go in a couple of portages.  I suggest going into the forest a little farther the first day to get deeper in the wilderness.  But of course, Wilderness Journey will arrange the trip custom to everyone’s abilities.

BWCA quota camping permit system- In order to stem over use of the BWCA only a designated number of permits are given out at each of the 84 entry points.  Between December 1st and January 15th permits are by lottery only.  After January 15^th permits are given on a first come first serve basis.  In this regard, it is important to book your trip as soon as possible.

Campsite designation- Campsites are by designation only and consist of a fire ring and a pit toilet. They are also first come first serve basis.  Wilderness Journey is aware of the location of most of the nicer campsites.

Weather

Seasons

Be prepared:

Each trip usually has an average 1 out of 4 of the days of uncomfortable weather.  Wind is usually the condition  which will help us to decide to stay at our campsite an extra night.   Quality raingear is always recommended.  It not only protects you from rain but also shields you from wind.  Click here to  learn how to more specifically prepare for you trip.

Nuisance bugs - Mosquitoes, black fly’s and Deer fly’s are usually worse in May and early June at which point it begins to taper off as the summer continues.  Of course this depends mostly on weather conditions in the spring.