The BWCAW is a great place for backpacking and camping with over 2,200 back country campsites available for use (most of them only accessible by water, canoeing being the best mode of transportation). The BWCAW is one on Minnesota’s top tourist attractions drawing visitors from all over the United States, Canada and Abroad. The BWCAW is managed by the USDA-Forest Service, under principles of ecosystem management and multiple use, the forest provides for a diverse community of plants and animals. The most popular recreation activities in the area include fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, swimming, hiking, snowmobiling and skiing. Over 445,000 acres of the forest is surface water. In addition, more than 1,300 miles of cold water streams and 950 miles of warm water streams flow within the boundaries of the Superior. The most abundant fish that can be found in the BWCAW are walleye, northern pike, small-mouth bass, lake trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.

You need to use a proper sea kayak really. One with hatches that open into sealed bulkheads where you can keep your gear. They can be somewhat unstable and if you’re new to operating a kayak then you should be sure you stay fairly close to shore in the event that you capsize. You really should learn how to brace or even roll, although longer kayaks are harder to roll than shorter ones are. So you can see that it’s not simply a matter of jumping in your boat and heading out for your camping trip. You need to be able to foresee the types of problems you may run into and plan accordingly to make it easier. Generally your trip is far more enjoyable when you don’t have any problems and standing at the beginning of a portage, wondering how your going to get all of your gear across into the next lake is a sure-fire way to help make your trip go downhill fast.

The worst part of canoe camping all depends on ones position and how to deal with the circumstances at hand. These might be some examples that you may encounter; daily rains and no chance to dry out, not being able to find the exact portage, getting lost and back tracking to get your bearings, windy days making it difficult to paddle, pesky mosquitoes and black flies, or maybe the unrelenting black bear in camp.

Yes, these are some tough challenges but rest assured they are part of the whole image and understanding of canoeing in the wilderness. Tackle each situation head on that comes your way. Therefore, providing the necessary survival skills required in everyday life.

Then what are the best of canoe camping? First, tantalizing smells of cooking over a portable stove, the mystifying call of a nearby loon, or the spectacular sunsets and sunrises. Next, the morning dew upon the tent, the lurking fog on the lake as you break camp, a moose and calf arrive at waters edge. How about the mysterious Native American pictographs telling stories of long ago, the busy beaver building a new home, or fast running water heard from a portage walking to the next lake. One of the top experiences, in my mind, is the incredible night skies of northern lights and star gazing.

Whatever the challenges that the wilderness may own take the bad with the good and roll with it. The best part is being with family or friends bonding in an environment away from busy schedules. Sharing fabulous outdoors exploration by camping, cooking, hiking, fishing, swimming and just relaxing are things stamped in your memories forever.