Hello,

My daughter and I have been doing a father and daughter BWCA trip for two years and we want to keep this going till at least she's 18. I have serious damage/injuries on both shoulders (torn labrum in one, tear and bone spur in another) which need surgeries and recovery. I don't want to let down my nine year old to miss this year.

Is there a good campground/sites I can look into to keep our "BWCA" tradition alive? Two or three nights in June with some easy hiking and swimming would be good.

Thank you!

Lake Jeanette Campground on the Echo Trail - smallish campground and nice sites on the lake. Also, a couple sites just across the lake for the campground. I have camped there a few times when I was to up to a full on BWCA trip.

Fenske Lake campground comes to mind between Ely and Mudro entry. Could hike the angleworm trail not far from there.

Sawbill Trail area:
Sawbill Lake - USFS campground and outfitter at #38
Kawishiwi Lake - USFS campground at EP #37
Crescent Lake - USFS campground at edge of BWCA
Temperance River - USFS campground at edge of BWCA
Gunflint Trail area:
Flour Lake - USFS campground at edge of BWCA
Two Island Lake - USFS campground near BWCA

How about a cabin at Rockwood on the Gunflint? They have a couple of smaller cabins if it's just the two of you. They have SUP's, canoes, and even motorized boats.

Outside of the BW...but still pretty remote and defintely northwoods feel, you could stay at either Little Isabella River, Temperence river or poplar river campgrounds and go Brook Trout fishing in the rivers. All three of those spots have catchable fish in the rivers near the campgrounds. You're not going to catch anything over 12 inches, but still fun and a couple 10 inch panfried brookies are still mighty tasty.

I would second Lake Jeanette campground as a great choice that would fit the bill for what you want pretty well. Small campground with a mix of reserveable and non reserveable sites, beautiful lake and adjacent to a pretty nice network of hiking trails. Check out the Astrid Lake trail which is a nice system of trails with some good lake views and some of the biggest boulders(glacial erratics) along the trail that I have ever seen. There are campsites on 3 lakes along this network so a great place for a lunch stop too. The site on the NE corner of Astrid is gorgeous and would be a great place to spend a couple hours. The southern site is equally nice and very unique.


Astrid Lake Trail







Example of the glacial erratics along the trail, my buddy is 6'4" and dwarfed by this boulder







View at one point along the Astrid Lake Trail







Early morning view from the NE Astrid campsite. There are a couple small sand/gravel landings that would be great spots for a swim too.


BTW, Crescent Lake campground is another favorite of mine. Beautiful BWCA quality lake, totally undeveloped and a small quiet campground. There are some excellent walk in campsites if you are up to that that are a short distance from the car which offer seclusion on the lake with no vehicle traffic. Gorgeous spots.

Good luck, hope you find what you are looking for and have a great trip.

Thank you all for great info! Looks like ill be doing Jeanette Lake 2 nights and one night in other area as mentioned above for this June. I had done Fenske 2 years ago and i agree its a nice campground before hitting BWCA (but I didnt know about the trails so will do that next time).
I really appreciate each of you giving me ideas. Its possible ill have to do this two summers in a row so likely will be staying 3 or 4 places as mentioned above, or at least one night of stay on shore before small canoe trip to start off next year to get back into it.
Thanks again all!

I second the Sawbill USFS campground suggestion... right on the lake... outfitter right there with essentials or perks... Maybe even a day trip guide into Smoke or Burnt and Flame... and you could be the duffer... lots of room for tents, trailers or larger... no electricity