Choosing a spot in the BWCA

When choosing an entry point, it’s helpful to have the general outline of your trip planned already. Do you want to stay at many different campsites or do you want to find one and stay there for the whole trip? Are you hiking or canoeing? Do you have the strength and experience to travel far distances (320 rods = 1 mile), or should you find easier portages? These questions should be answered before you even begin to look at entry points.

You should choose your exact entry date and book your entry point far in advance since most entry points only allow a certain amount of people to enter per day and they can fill up quickly.  You can order an entry date permit online at the BWCAW reservations website.

When we look for an entry point, we look for lakes and trails with several campsites to choose from.  One cannot plan their route down to the last detail; it’s quite possible that every campsite on the lake could be full.  In that case your options would be to continue on your planned route (hopefully it’s not too last in the day, and you’re not too tired!) or set up your own camp.  The BWCA regulations indicate that one must not cut down live vegetation, not have fires outside of the fire grates that are provided, and if there is no designated latrine in which to do one’s business, it is necessary to dig a hole 6-8 inches deep at least 150-200 feet from the waters edge, and fill and disguise the hole when finished. 

We also like to plan out a potential chain of lakes to visit, in case we have enough time to do so.  It is necessary to have a backup plan, in case the conditions at a lake turn out to be different than you planned. For instance, one summer we portaged to a lake that turned out to be mostly burned from a forest fire a few years back.  Luckily, this was just one of a chain of lakes we were visiting.

What will you bring?

Deciding on what to bring is an essential part of planning a trip to the BWCA. It is never fun to forget something that is important. Always remember to pack as light as possible. Taking the time to eliminate extra weight off your back is definitely worth the effort. It is often worth the money to purchase lightweight backpacking equipment. We usually start out by putting everything we plan to bring in one place and then cutting out unnecessary equipment until the weight is down to a minimum.

Spend time think about everything you will have to do when you are in the BWCAW. What equipment will you need to cook?  To clean? To stay dry when it rains? It is best to start making a list of everything you will be bringing far in advance and add to it as you think of useful items. Don’t forget to pick up a good waterproof map! 

What will you bring for food?

Although the lack of a refrigerator or cooler limits your food choices, you can still eat well in the BWCA. We recommend foods such as instant rice, instant mashed potatoes, nuts, and even tuna or spam in a pre-sealed bag.  Of course, your meals can be supplemented by the natural foods that occur in the great northern outdoors, such as freshly caught fish, wild blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, and healthy teas made of strawberry leaves or Labrador tea leaves. 

Remember, cans or glass containers are not allowed in the BWCA, with the exception of bug repellant, fuel containers, medicines, and other miscellaneous toiletries.  Also, keep in mind that the more “wet” the food you bring is, the heavier it is to carry.  For example, bring fully dried rice instead of the pre-moistened variety.  There are simple ways to cut down the volume of food and packaging you bring as well.  Bring instant coffee instead of regular, remove excess packaging and compress your food into gallon-size Ziploc bags, and bring compact and lightweight, but filling, foods such as oatmeal. 

Don’t forget the life-saving sustenance that is water.  It would be ridiculous to pack in all the water you will need for your trip, so it will be necessary to learn to properly purify your water.  Anyone who has survived on water saturated with the taste of iodine or microscopic lake creatures understands the virtue of bringing flavored drink mixes.  Some delectable examples include hot chocolate, apple cider, and lemonade.

You have your plan set, now what?

Leave a written description of your route and the dates you plan to enter and leave with someone you trust.  Before departing, pack your backpack and try it on to make sure you can easily carry it over rocks and hills. Also, check over your equipment to ensure that nothing is broken and everything is in working order. Thoroughly seal and waterproof your tent. We recommend sealing all the seams with seam sealer and also spraying it down with a spray sealer annually, especially if you use it often. Nothing can make a trip more miserable than broken equipment or a leaking tent, so check everything carefully. Happy camping!