Boundary Waters Canoe Area

History

In 1964, Congress designated the BWCA as one of the first federally protected wilderness areas in the United States as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The BWCA, the northern third of Superior National Forest, lies on the international border between northern Minnesota and the Province of Ontario, Canada. Together, with the adjoining 1.2 million-acre Quetico Provincial Park on the Ontario side of the border, this international wilderness complex forms an unparalleled lakeland complex of 2.3 million acres, an area larger than Yellowstone.

Sculpted by glaciation, the area is part of the Canadian Shield, a geological formation that comprises portions of the earth’s most ancient exposed rock, some of which is 3 billion years old! The Boundary Waters contains about 1,175 lakes in all, creating a maze of interconnected wilderness waterways to explore. Whether you paddle one of the larger border lakes – Saganaga, Knife, Basswood, Crooked, Lac La Croix – or one of the smaller more intimate lakes, you’ll experience an undeveloped wilderness that appears much the same as it has for hundreds of years. Each lake brings its own distinct personality and you may find you and your canoeing partners each have a different favorite.

Two types of forests, the Boreal and Laurentian forests, converge to create a unique ecosystem with diverse plant and animal life in the Boundary Waters. Animals that would not normally be seen together, such as the white-tailed deer and the moose, have made the BWCA their homes. Many birds, such as bald eagles & loons, and over 20 species of wood warblers, use the Boundary Waters as their nesting grounds. Anglers can test their skills against the area’s lake trout, walleye, northern pike, or small and largemouth bass.

Humans have left their mark on the Boundary Waters as well. Native peoples inhabited the Boundary Waters area for thousands of years, with some human relics dating back to 10,000 BC. The Anishinabe (sometimes called Ojibwe, or Chippewa) and Dakota (Sioux) used the intricate waterways of the BWCA for hundreds of years. Native peoples first used many of the campsites and portages (paths between lakes) still used today. Artifacts from that period can still be found on occasion. European fur traders and missionaries first came into the area in the early 1700s. A working relationship developed between the European fur traders and the Ojibwe, based on trade of European goods for native knowledge and furs. This partnership ended in the mid 19th century due to the declining interest in furs as fashion.

Fur trading and logging of the Boundary Waters began taking its toll on the fragile ecosystem. People decided to act, setting aside this pristine area and working to protect it from further harm. In 1909, President Teddy Roosevelt established the Superior National Forest, with 1,000 square miles of roadless land (the precursor to the BWCA) later set aside in 1926 as the nation’s second administratively-established wilderness. The 1964 Wilderness Act designated the Boundary Waters as an original unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System, but with some compromises that allowed logging and motorboats to continue there. Congress passed additional protections for the BWCA in 1978, and expanded the area to its current borders and size of 1.1 million acres. The controversy surrounding this Congressional effort for the Boundary Waters also led to the establishment of Wilderness Inquiry; WI began by taking canoe trips in the BWCA and continues doing so to this day.

Canoeing

The Boundary Waters is one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “50 Places of a Lifetime.” Situated within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a vast preserve of lakes and woods that stretches for about 100 miles along the U.S. border with Canada. Spread within the Boundary Waters are over 1,500 miles of canoe routes over more than 1,000 lakes, rivers and streams linked by trails called “portages.”

Due to strict permitting and non-motorized status the wilderness is yours to explore without people or vehicles. These factors contribute to the serenity of the area creating the perfect location for canoeing.

Camping for families

The wilderness is and ideal setting for families. Without the noise of daily life expect to learn more about yourselves and each other. The Boundary Waters Family Canoe and Hike trip is geared for families and based at a Forest Service campsite, allowing us to do day trips in smaller groups into the Wilderness.

Adventurers 

Our classic 5-day Boundary Waters Canoe Area Paddle Adventure is the quintessential guided canoe trip for adventurers of all ability levels. Our experienced guides will teach you basic paddle strokes, the art of portaging a canoe, and can help you find a new appreciation for the great Northwoods.