Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The classic lake-to-lake canoe trip: 1.1 million acres of northern Minnesota lakes and rivers joined by rustic portage trails. Routes can be as easy or as hard as you plan them, from a base camp a couple of lakes in from the road to a week of daily carries. The practical point is the permit. From May 1 through September 30 everyone on an overnight trip needs a quota permit tied to a specific entry point, so choose the entry first and the route second. Groups are limited to nine people and four watercraft. Most trips start from the gateway towns of Ely, Tofte and Grand Marais, where outfitters rent canoes and gear and can issue permits.