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Boundary Waters Minnesota

Explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Explore the Boundary waters Minnesota wilderness canoe area. A boundary waters map and a good boundary waters outfitting plan will prepare you for the Minnesota adventure of a lifetime.

Boundary Waters Minnesota The highlight of your visit to Minnesota could be your trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for camping, canoeing and "up close with nature" experiences. Outdoor adventures just don't get any better than this.

Ely Minnesota is one of the most popular entry points to the Boundary Waters.

Read reviews about "the best of" Ely, Minnesota vacations.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), set aside in 1926 to preserve its primitive character, is a part of the Superior National Forest.

The Boundary Waters area includes more than a million acres featuring over 1200 canoe routes through over 1,000 portage-linked lakes and rivers.

The area also includes 16 hiking trails and at least 2,000 designated camping sites.

The BWCA extends for nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary with Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and is bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park. Visitors come to canoe, portage and camp in the freedom and spirit of the French Voyageurs of 200 years ago.

Some things you need to know to plan a trip to Minnesota's Boundary Waters:
  • Read one of several Boundary Waters guidebooks.
  • Be prepared with proper equipment including a 4 season tent
  • You will need a detailed Boundary Waters map.
  • There is a BWCA quota camping permit system. Only a designated number of permits are given out for each of the 84 entry points. It is important to book your trip as early as possible.
  • Designated campsites consist of a fire ring and a pit toilet. They are available on a first come first serve basis.
  • Portaging: You will carry your canoe and gear across the land to get it to another river or lake. Portages vary in difficulty. Some are long but fairly easy. Others can be short yet treacherous. Most are moderately easy to accomplish.
  • The closest airport to the BWCA is in Duluth, MN.
You can find many BWCA outfitters and guide services. Most of them are based in, or around, Ely, Minnesota.

Amazon.com offers some great resources for your Boundary Waters adventure.

Find information about BWCA permits and more.

Boundary Waters Minnesota

Boundary Waters Minnesota Canoe

Pelican Boats Dare Devil Family Assembled Canoe

The Wilderness Ethic: Leave No Trace

Minimize your impact when visiting the Boundry Waters. Minnesota and federal agencies have adopted these core pinciples for BWCA visitors:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this beautiful Boundary Waters Minnesota video must be worth at least ten thousand!

Boundary Waters Map

Boundary Waters Outfitting

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