Boundary Waters Minnesota, USA Travel Guide
Over 2,000 designated sites, each with a steel fire grate and a cleared area for tents.
A pit latrine, an outdoor toilet, often a wooden box over a hole, is a short a stroll from the main camp area.
Campsites are first-come, first-served once you are inside remote nature at your reserved entry point.
No developed facilities, no running water, electricity, showers, or garbage service.
Standard rooms with private bathrooms, beds, sometimes Wi-Fi. Practical for overnight stays.
Not publicly owned resorts with cabins or lodge rooms, some with kitchens, docks, and resort amenities.
Homes, cabins, or apartments through platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com.
Private and state park campgrounds with varied amenities, including showers and electrical hookups.
The main towns serving the BWCAW each possess distinct characteristics.
All gateway towns generally have low crime rates. Main safety concerns relate to wilderness hazards, not urban crime.
Select your gateway town based on your BWCAW entry point and interests. Grand Marais suits Gunflint Trail access and North Shore exploration. Ely suits central BWCAW access.
Effective booking strategies help you secure your required permissions and preferred lodging, especially in the high season.
Book your BWCAW permit as soon as the desired date becomes available on Recreation.gov (6 several months beforehand). This period experiences the most competition for making reservations.
Consider looking into IHG Hotels for potential options in larger surrounding areas for pre/post-trip stays.
For unique longer stays, explore TrustedHousesitters for house or pet sitting exchanges.
Choosing where to stay before and after your BWCAW trip frames your comfort and preparation.
Price: $20 - $40 USD per night
Price: $80 - $150 USD per night
Price: $150 - $400+ USD per night
Vacation rentals (cabins, homes) are the top option for multiple days or weeks. They offer kitchens and more living space, a "home away from home" atmosphere.
Many resorts and cabins accommodate families with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and fun activities. State park campgrounds are also excellent family choices.
Affordable motels or B&Bs offer an enjoyable visit. Some outfitters also feature bunkhouse options, a budget-friendly way to connect with other paddlers.
Consider historic guesthouses or resorts that have operated for decades, offering a glimpse into the region's past. Outfitters themselves have long histories.
Grand Marais Campground & RV Park
If staying at an outfitter's bunkhouse the night before your trip, ask about their morning routines. They usually have early breakfasts to get groups out on the waterfront promptly.
Resorts and cabins often come with lake access and may include amenities like boat hire (motorized boats on non-BWCAW lakes).
Hotels and motels typically offer amenities like attached bathrooms, comfortable beds, and sometimes Wi-Fi for your convenience.
Your pick of gateway town impacts proximity to your BWCAW entry point and other regional attractions, like the Northern Coast of The Head of the great lakes.
Quality for cabin and resort rentals can vary greatly. Research and check ratings before booking to match your expectations.
Many resorts and cabins, especially during peak season, have minimum stay requirements, often a week.
The "Canoe Capital of the World," ideal for direct outfitting and access to central and western BWCAW entrances.
A lovely arts community on The Head of the great lakes, a gateway to eastern BWCAW entry points via the Gunflint Trail.
A quieter area with historical mining interest, serving western BWCAW entry points, with less facilities.
