Boundary Waters Canoe Area:
The Crown Jewel of Minnesota
Sunday Sept 14 - Saturday Sept 20, 2025
Trip Description: Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the crown jewel of Minnesota nature, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Located in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border, this area is famous for its pristine lakes, singing loons and great fishing. This trip will be a backpacking canoe trip, meaning every participant will work in community with others on the trip to share responsibilities like cooking, building fires, switching off paddling, and securing food supplies overnight. Trips to the BWCA are considered a right of passage in Minnesota culture, and I am excited to share this experience with you!
Note: Flights to/from MSP Airport are not included. Our backpacking trip will start at the bunkhouse the day before our permit start date of Sept 15th (Mon) until the end of our permit on Sept 21st. Plan an extra day on both ends for air travel to/from MSP Airport.
Map Website:
Route Overview: Starting on Saganaga Lake (Entry Point #55) we will travel north by boat tow to Saganaga Falls where we will begin our paddle down the Granite River! Orange line indicates our ~30 mile route. We will have two base camp days at the Campsite #2 and #3 of the trip, averaging 7-8mi/day traveling to and from.
Distance: ~30miles
Route Type: One Way/Through
Schedule:
Sunday, Sept 14th
Arrive to MSP, drive to Outfitters (5-6 hours). Overnight stay at Seagull Outfitters bunkhouse Entry Point #55. Equipment check.
Monday, Sept 15th
Depart from entry location, Point #55 Saganaga Lake and get tow boated to Saganaga Falls. From Sagana Falls we will paddle south down the Granite River through 2 portages (35, 20, and 45 rods) and camp at sole Pine River campsite. Note: An additional 65 rod portage may be applicable depending on water levels.
Tuesday, Sept 16th
Wake up and begin down the Pine River and through 2 portages (45 and 15 rods). Paddle the largest lake in the BWCA, Gunflint Lake, to Little Gunflint/North Lake to camp for night. Note: An additional 100 rod portage to start may be applicable depending on water levels.
Wednesday, Sept 17th
Base camp day. Enjoy adventures in North Lake to see islands and other sites. Enjoy camp or fishing.
Thursday, Sept 18th
Canoe down South Lake through 2 portages (75 and 80 rods) to camp on Rose Lake for night.
Friday, Sept 19th
Base camp day. Enjoy adventures in Rose Lake to see islands and other sites. Enjoy camp or fishing.
Saturday, Sept 20th
Canoe out of BWCA through 3 portages (80, 80 and 20 rods) to exit #60 Duncan Lake. Return supplies to Seagull Outfitters. Return to MSP for flights home
Cost: See per person registration type. This includes canoe rentals, permits, and Bunk House accommodations the night before, if available. Flights not included. Food and Travel (car ride north) coordination is recommended with the Trip Leader.
Cancellation/Refund: Refunds are available until Aug 1st, 2025. Unless an alternate attendee is confirmed, a refund will not be provided after 8/1/2025.
Travel: Coordination with the Trip Leader is encouraged. Flights are not included, but an early arrival Tuesday is recommended for the drive up to BWCA. You are responsible for your travel to the Outfitters, but Trip Leader assistance is available. Direct flights from San Diego to MSP are available through Sun Country and Delta Airlines. It is a 5-6 hour drive from the airport to the BWCA, so early arrival is critical.
Experience: This trip does not require previous canoe/portage experience, and is considered an intermediate route due to the number of portages and one (1) base camp day included in the schedule. If you have never portaged or paddled, please let the Trip Leader know and they will be more than happy to explain skill requirements. We will be teaching these skills day 1 and on as well!
Weather: See above chart for weather information on our area of the BWCA. This is the end of the mosquito season, meaning mosquitos will be waning but this is always location dependent in the BWCA. This late in the season none are expected at this time.
Bring: 10 Essentials (no kidding, every person needs a personal first aid kit); water filtration; food for each meal plus extra snacks; water bottle and filter system; sleeping bag and pad; tent; appropriate footwear (land and water); layered clothing; jacket; rain gear; wide hat; compass; toilet paper & trowel; jet boil/compact camping stove; fire starter; headlamp; sunglasses; sunscreen; insect repellant; camera and entertainment (book, card game, etc).
Note: Some communal equipment will be utilized, like jet boils/stove and Duluth packs to reduce duplicative equipment being carried.
Other Considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks.
Trip Leader: Tyler Roosden (651.497.1611) or at TheRoosdens@gmail.com
