Planning a trip with my husband (who has never been to BWCA!) Sep 20-22 to hopefully catch some beautiful fall foliage! Hoping for recommendations on which lake to go and where to lodge. Here are some considerations for our short trip:

- Want easy access to canoe rental and getting on the lake
- Easy portaging
- We'd like to lodge at BWCA, but if lodging is limited and the lake is worth it, we'd be willing to grab a hotel in Ely
- It would be nice to have limited traffic on lake (including no motor boats)
- Plan to fish, but prioritize scenery over fishing success - my husband may disagree ;)

Thank you!

One option

Go up the Sawbill Trail to Sawbill Lake, Baker Lake, or Kawishiwi Lake entry points. Sawbill Outfitters to rent canoes. Sawbill Campground for overnight before or after.

Lots of trip options:

Easy: Sawbill to Beth Lake or Sawbill Lake to Burnt Lake

Medium Difficulty: Sawbill to Cherokee Lake (Day trip to Frost Lake or Long Island Lake) or Sawbill to Grace Lake

Difficult: Sawbill to Wine Lake

Easy: Baker Lake to Jack Lake

Medium: Baker Lake to South Temperance

Easy: Kawishiwi to Polly Lake (Day trip to Koma or Malberg Lakes.)

I think Sandpit is gorgeous in the fall--and it's small, so perfect for a short weekend trip. It's like you have the whole lake to yourself, and the leaves are gorgeous (if you like birch)

Any of the outfitters along the Gunflint Trail can provide what you’re looking for. Great scenery, canoes, accommodations, restaurants. It’s all available.

mmrocker13: "I think Sandpit is gorgeous in the fall--and it's small, so perfect for a short weekend trip. It's like you have the whole lake to yourself, and the leaves are gorgeous (if you like birch)"

The Mudro entry never disappoints. The road in is spectacular and Mudro, Sandpit, and Range Lake area is great.

We were just talking about whether we could squeeze in a weekend up there end of September--it gets overlooked bc everyone wants to get to Horse, but it's absolutely delightful in the fall and perfect for a short getaway <3