Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The wilderness covers around four thousand square kilometres along the Canadian border with roughly a thousand lakes connected by portages - carries between water where you put the canoe on your shoulders and walk. Motors are prohibited across nearly all of it, and permits are quota-limited by entry point and day, released months ahead and gone quickly for popular routes. Campsites are designated with a fire grate and a latrine and nothing else. Food must be hung or stored against bears. It adjoins Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, making a very large contiguous protected area. Light pollution is minimal enough that it was certified a dark sky sanctuary.

What's there

• A thousand lakes linked by portages - carried on foot between water.
• No motors - across nearly the whole wilderness.
• Designated campsites - a fire grate and a latrine, nothing more.
• Dark sky sanctuary status - very little light pollution.

When to go

June to September for paddling; winter for ski and dogsled travel. Three days to two weeks.

What to expect

Permits are quota-limited and popular entry points sell out within minutes of release. Portages with a canoe and gear are hard physical work. Mosquitoes and black flies in June are severe. There is no resupply - you carry everything.

Nearby

Ely is the western gateway; Voyageurs National Park is west.

Key facts