Easy Routes
There are many canoe route possibility in the BWCAW, this is a small sampling of some easy canoe routes.
Entry Point 31 – From Farm Lake
This easy route is very well suited to first-time visitors. There are minimal portages as you travel along an area of exceptional beauty, and the natural wonder of both branches of the Kawishiwi River will provide memories for a lifetime.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL – Easy: Smaller lakes & rivers
ENTRY POINT – 31
ROUTE LENGTH IN DAYS – 3 to 5 days
LAKES – Farm Lake, N Kawishiwi River, Clear Lake, S Kawishiwi River, Bald Eagle, Gabbro
IN/OUT SAME ENTRY POINT – can be loop as described below or set up basecamp in Clear Lake and then head back the way you came on departure date.
DETAILED ROUTE INFO – Your first day’s journey takes you from the landing on Farm Lake to the Kawishiwi River. Motorboats are allowed on Farm Lake, which is outside of the BWCAW. and has no horsepower restrictions. Paddle east across Farm and head out the northeast corner to the entrance into the Kawishiwi River, which feels more like a wide lake than a river. Only in the narrows are you likely to detect much of a current
The first two portages are relatively easy, but the final 210-rod portage follows a trail that tends to be muddy and rocky. Only a handful of campsites are scattered along the first eight miles of travel, so it may be difficult to shorten this day’s travel if campsites are taken along the way. If you are visiting during June or July get an early start in the day so as to avoid trouble finding a nice campsite.
Continue to paddle and portage 7 miles along the South Kawishiwi River to Clear Lake, which involves a number of short portages of 15, 15, 30, and 70 rods. You will pass by many campsites along the South Kawishiwi, and this beautiful stretch of river attracts paddlers from the many entry points around it, so you’ll probably see other people.
A long portage leads you out from Clear Lake into the North Kawishiwi, after which you will travel back along the way you arrived.
If you would like to modify this route, a simple addition is to continue into Eskwagama Lake on your second day rather than going straight to Clear Lake. This route is less popular than the shortcut into Clear Lake. In the alternative, you can shoot down a spur route into Gabbro and Bald Eagle Lakes, if you would like to spend time on larger border lakes. This involves taking a 121-rod portage out of the south end of the South Kawishiwi.
*Route information provided courtesy of Dan Pauly, and have been modified from his book, Exploring the Boundary Waters: A Trip Planner and Guide to the BWCAW. University of Minnesota Press, 2004
Entry Point 30 – Lake One
Does the idea of fishing, swimming, and relaxing appeal to you more than paddling and portaging? Do you pack too much gear and hate to portage? Then take this route and go no further than Lake One to Lake Four, which gives you access to dozens of campsites and thousands of acres of lake surface with just two easy portages.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL – Easy: Smaller lakes & rivers
ENTRY POINT – 30
ROUTE LENGTH IN DAYS – 3 to 5 days
LAKES – Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three, Lake Four
IN/OUT SAME ENTRY POINT
DETAILED ROUTE INFO – Head northeast from the parking lot at Lake One and paddle through a narrow channel before turning south through another narrow channel and onto the main body of Lake One. If you are continuing on to Lake Two you will have two portages, both of which are among the most commonly traveled portages in the entire BWCA.
You can paddle from Lake Two into Lake Three and then Lake Four without taking another portage. You have dozens of designated campsites along the way, including many that are on islands and tucked into remote bays. The walleye fishing here is excellent. If you would like more adventure continue east!
*Route information provided courtesy of Dan Pauly, and have been modified from his book, Exploring the Boundary Waters: A Trip Planner and Guide to the BWCAW. University of Minnesota Press, 2004
Entry Point 27 – Snowbank Lake
This enjoyable loop starts with a long crossing of big open water, which typically is best made in the early morning before winds pick up. If you arrive at Snowbank and find the weather uncooperative, consider reversing the route and head along the protected southern shore to Parent Lake. Every lake on this route calls you to explore it and to stay longer than you can!
DIFFICULTY LEVEL – Easy: Smaller lakes & rivers
ENTRY POINT – 27
ROUTE LENGTH IN DAYS – 3 to 5 days
LAKES – Snowbank Lake, Boot Lake, Haven Lake, Abinodji Lake, Swing Lake, Gibson Lake, Cattyman Lake, Adventure Lake, Jitterbug Lake, Ahsub Lake, Disappointment Lake, Parent Lake
IN/OUT SAME ENTRY POINT – Loop
DETAILED ROUTE INFO – Your journey starts on Snowbank Lake, which makes a fine place to spend a first night, particularly if you are arriving late in the day. Snowbank is huge, so be prepared for potentially large waves and don’t forget to wear your life jacket.
Portage over two modest portages divided by a small pond to Boot Lake, which is a fine place to spend the night if one of its two campsites are available. Boot’s close proximity to Snowbank makes these campsites quite popular, so give yourself time to press on if necessary.
The easy 4-rod pullover to Haven Lake leads to a difficult 74-rod portage that climbs uphill, partially over exposed rock, then drops down to Abinodji Lake.
When leaving Abinodji take the 50 rod portage over to Swing Lake, which is a flat and easy carry. Continue across Swing Lake until you reach the 40-portage leading to Gibson Lake, which you will paddle to the southeast corner, where you take an interesting 26 rod portage up the north side of a creek and waterfall to Cattyman Lake. The portage is nearly entirely uphill with extensive exposed metamorphic rock formations.
Continue down to the southern tip of Cattyman, where you will embark on a series of short portages through Adventure, Jitterbug, and finally a 20-rod portage over to Ahsub Lake. Ahsub Lake is a designated trout fishing lake and contains two campsites. Remember: It is illegal to fish outside of trout season or without a trout stamp, even if you are fishing for other species. Live minnows are also unlawful to possess or use on Ahsub.
The 25 rod portage over to Disappointment Lake is up and over a small hill, and you will cross the Old Pines Hiking Trail along the way.
A relatively easy 80-rod portage connects over to Parent Lake then another 80-rod portage from Parent to Snowbank. This trail is mostly downhill and somewhat rocky. If you would rather skip Parent Lake, you can head directly from Disappointment to Snowbank along a 140-rod portage that is more heavily traveled than either of the 80-rod portages.
*Route information provided courtesy of Dan Pauly, and have been modified from his book, Exploring the Boundary Waters: A Trip Planner and Guide to the BWCAW. University of Minnesota Press, 2004.
