Top Ten Canoe, Kayak, and Raft Camping Trips

North Woods Nirvana: Boundary Waters Wilderness, Minnesota

(Minnesota Department of Tourism)

Boundary Waters stretches long and sparkling along the Minnesota/Canada border. It's not so much a linear route as a region: of the planet, of the mind. Glaciers gouged out an anarchic scattering of lakes, meandering rivers, imposing cliffs. You have a whopping 1,200 miles of canoe trails from which to choose. Remember this is wilderness: no roads, no motorboats. You'll be alone with birdsong and gurgling water.

Entry points in the western part of Boundary Waters are concentrated in the Ely area, in the east it's the Gunflint area. Flying in gets you to the most remote areas: worth it for extended trips by skilled canoe adventurers. Because the region is so remote, you can practically count on superior fishing for smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and lake trout

Just the Facts

Suitable craft: open canoe, touring kayak

More north woods paddling: Voyageurs National Park, Quetico Provincial Park, Saint Croix River

More GORP: Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area

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Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 28 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.