5.  Which modes of travel may be used? 
Depends. Most areas are paddle-only (canoe/kayak). Some areas allow motorboats, and must be designated on your travel permit. Hiking-only permits are separate, and must be designated as such. You may canoe in, using a canoe permit, then begin hiking in the wilderness if you wish (under your canoeing permit) as long as you leave the Wilderness in your canoe. If you have a day permit, it must be specified as a motor permit if you are traveling by motorboat and it must be reserved. 

6.  What are the different regions and entry points? 
Each region has a ranger station which serves as a permit issuing office. View the entry points at: Canoeing & Motoring Entries and Hiking Entries. You may contact the individual ranger stations for detailed information on routes and conditions. 

7.  What Forest Service rules must visitors abide by? 
See The Rules Page for a partial list of key rules. You may ask your outfitter or the U.S. Forest Service permit issuing station (ranger station) for an introduction to the BWCA rules and regulations. They help you to leave no trace of your visit, and preserve the land.

8.  How does one read a BWCA Map?  (What's a rod?)
First, we recommend only using a Fisher Map for your trip. Camp at the designated campsites marked by red dots. Entry points are marked by a triangle or circle with the entry point number. Portages are marked as red lines, and measured in rods. A rod is about one canoe length, or 16.5 feet. A portage of 50 rods or so is considered "easy", 100-200 "moderate" and over 200 "rugged". Difficulty depends on your physical condition, weight of gear, traveling companions, weather and the terrain. The 320-rod (1 mile) Horse Portage is generally flat, but some short portages can be straight up. This brings us to the terrain lines or "contours". Most maps show contours, and if a portage crosses many terrain lines it's probably rugged. Also, look for an "I" denoting Indian pictographs. 

II.  Questions, Answers and Trivia.

1.  A user has an entry permit.  What comes next?
An entry permit designates a start date and entry point. Visitors must enter the Wilderness on the date and at the entry point shown (and using the mode of travel listed). 

The permit also shows how many people are in your party, estimated number of days and exit point. You're not locked into any of these things. This information helps the USFS keep track of usage trends.

From the entry point, it's up to you and your group. Some groups choose to travel in a short way, then base camp for the week. Other groups like to push the entire week, traveling to a different campsite each day. Some groups come out the same entry point, and others come out a different entry point.  Remember to leave a car at the other entry point or arrange a pickup time with your outfitter if you plan to exit at a different point, and stick to your plan!

Route planning involves judging your group's ability level, strength and perseverance against the portages and lakes in the Wilderness. Novices or groups with children will probably be happier on a route with portages less than 100 rods. Those who travel the BWCA often see no portage as a hindrance, though, and you should always strive to expand your boundaries.

2.  May rapids be "run" in the BWCA?
Consider the risk of running rapids in a Wilderness Area where your only rescue may be a day-long paddle out, then an hour ride to the hospital in the car. Outfitters often display a photo of a shiny aluminum canoe folded over a rock, irretrievable until the late fall or winter months. It's really up to you.

3.  Where may pictographs (Indian paintings) be found?
The most popular spot is on South Hegman Lake, an easy day paddle in the Ely area. You will also find pictographs on the eastern shore of Lac la Croix on Irving Island, and on the western shore of Crooked Lake just north of Lower Basswood Falls. Look on your map for an "I" (stands for "Indian painting") or, on the National Forest map, "Pictured Rocks."  You will be glad you planned your route where there are ancient paintings we still know little about. Photo of Pictograph

 
4.  What's the longest portage?
Technically, it's the Grand Portage -- an eight-mile ordeal from the Pigeon River to the old fort at Grand Portage National Monument on the North Shore. It's a glorious, arduous way to end a canoe trip. Other long portages are: the Rose Lake/Rove lake portages east of Gunflint Lake. The Angleworm Portage, two miles long near Ely, which is also a hiking trail. And the Stuart Portage, 1 and a half miles long, just off the Echo Trail north of Ely.

Many seasoned veterans will tell you, though, that a short portage of 60 rods may be harder work than a flat mile-long portage! 

 
5.  Who is Dorothy Molter?  Where was her cabin?
Dorothy Molter, AKA "Root Beer Lady" lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, a wilderness along the border of Northern Minnesota and Canada, for more than fifty years before she died in 1986. After visiting as a young woman from Chicago, Dorothy worked as a registered nurse and began to spend winters in the north woods. Eventually she adjusted to the rigors of the cold Minnesota winters and became comfortable working within a male-dominated environment.

In 1948 she began to operate a resort in the Boundary Waters. Then the United States Forest Service purchased her land in 1964 when the surrounding area became a National Forest.

For the next 22 years Dorothy lived alone in a remote area of the Boundary Waters. She became known to canoeists and naturalists as a rugged individualist who lived according to her own principles. In fact, Dorothy lived fifteen miles from the nearest road. Four portages were required to reach her island. Despite her isolation, over the years thousands of curious visitors made the annual trek to Dorothy's in order to say hello and taste her homemade root beer. Root Beer Lady Web site

 
6.  How is an outfitter selected?
You may already be overwhelmed by the dozens of outfitters pining for your business as you plan your trip in the Wilderness. Most of them are excellent, providing great service -- gear, showers, route advice and a cold beverage after your trip. 

Get to know your outfitter by asking a few questions: How many years have you been in operation? Which entry points do you serve? What types of canoes and tents are available, and how old are they? Do you offer guide service or route planning? Are cabins, bunkhouses, or a campground nearby or on site? You can then match the answers you receive with the level of service and quality you desire.  

Some people like to get "partial outfitting" -- just a few items like canoes or packs -- and some like "complete outfitting" which includes everything down to the matches, soap, and maps. Consequently, complete outfitting costs are generally very high while partial outfitting can be dirt cheap. Many places will even provide a guide if you like, and most will offer route planning or route advice. 

Be sure to select an outfitter close to your entry point if you already have a permit. Outfitters do have "turf" in a way; most choose to serve only nearby entry points. Don't have an entry point yet? Tell the outfitter what type of trip you're looking for (fishing trip, rugged trip, base camp, etc.) and they will likely have a plan already in mind for you. They answer many of the same questions every day and are experts on the area and its travel.  BWCA Canoe Trip Outfitters or Quetico Park Canoe Outfitters

Don't forget to have a fun time on your trip too, and send those "big fish" photos back to the lodge for their bulletin board. Remember, a wide angle lens can make your fish appear much bigger!