Boundary Waters for Beginners

Real freedom lies in Wilderness, not in civilization. -Charles Lindbergh

Misty sunrises over glassy smooth water–silence so quiet you can hear your own heart beat–pristine lakes filled with fish–loons, eagles, moose and other wildlife passing near camp–the crackle of the campfire as the sun sets over the lake–dark skies filled with more stars than you can imagine and the joy of being completely unplugged for a few days.  

These are a few of the reasons your guide Jamie Borglum continues to return to the Boundary Waters year after year. He is excited to share this treasured wilderness with you on this trip designed especially for beginners!  

We will travel to the Gunflint trail and stay one night in bunk houses with access to bathrooms and a shower. Dinner is on you at a local restaurant on the Gunflint Trail. In the morning our adventure begins with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before we load our canoes and set off on our journey. We’ll paddle 5 to 8 miles with several short portages before we find a basecamp for the duration of our trip. That night, enjoy a wilderness gourmet meal cooked by your guide over an open fire. Other meals will include a variety of freeze dried meals, fresh meals and pack lunches. The following days will be filled with paddle day trips to explore other lakes, see Johnson Falls, fishing, wildlife viewing, and one of Jamie’s favorite things to do in the BWCA–just sit, listen and watch the world go by. 

On our final day, we will paddle back to our takeout location, stop by the lodge to shower and pack up before we drive home. We will arrive in Waverly late that night. 

Note: This is a wilderness canoe trip. All gear, food and supplies will be carried with us in canoes. Several portages will be made where all group members are expected to assist in carrying gear. While there are bears in the BWCAW, sightings are rare. We will hang all food stuffs when not in camp and practice Leave No Trace principles. 

What’s Included: 

Professional instruction and guiding, transportation from Waverly, IA to Gunflint Trail and back,. all necessary group gear including canoe, PFD, paddle, cook gear, and portage packs.  If needed, we can provide a tent, sleeping bag, pads etc. If you’d prefer to bring your own gear, you are welcome to, provided it is appropriate for our trip.

We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions and preferences. Upon sign-up, you will receive a short questionnaire, to share these needs with us.

Activities: 

Canoeing, camping, hiking, fishing

Skill Level:

Beginner. Expect to paddle 5 to 8 miles per day with several portages of 200 yards to .5 mile. Weight of gear to carry will be adjusted based on individual ability.

Accommodations:

Tent camping in a wilderness setting. Open-air wilderness latrine (i.e. 5 gal bucket with a seat 100 yards from camp). Water will be filtered from the lake.

Not Included:

Dinner the first night at a restaurant, optional guide gratuities, items of a personal nature.

Registration: 

Trip Dates: June 14-18

Registration is limited to 7 people. A minimum of 5 registrants is required to offer the trip.

We have intentionally limited the number of participants on our trips in order to provide a safe and rich outdoor experience. 

Cancellation:

Please read our full Trip Cancellation Policy here.