7-Day Boundary Waters Trip

Join NOW Outdoors for a paddle through the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Northern Minnesota. This will be an epic trip with incredible scenery including waterfalls and pristine lakes. Wildlife includes moose, otter, beaver, wolves, eagles, and more.  

This trip starts in Grand Marais, MN. Plan to meet on August 13th at the designated location by 5 pm. We will stay the first night at a cabin and go over gear and the finer details of our route. There is a local shop that can provide any gear or last-minute items such as snacks, camping/fishing gear, batteries, etc. In the morning, we will head on down to the put-in.  

This is a loop route with 5 long paddle days and 1-2 layover day(s). The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or group interest. We will paddle and portage well over 40 miles in remote wilderness.  

Menu items: We believe cliff bars and ramen soup have their place but not on our trips. We love a varied menu that includes fresh-made breakfasts like French toast and sausage, tuna salad or sandwiches for lunch, and hardy dinners like shepherds pie, chicken and broccoli, and BBQ pork spaghetti.  

Difficulty: Challenging (long paddle days, few short portages, larger lakes can be tough in poor weather) 

Total miles: 40+ 

Number of portages: 18 

Total portage distance: 4.4 miles 

Longest single portage: 120 rods (1,980 feet)  

This trip is not for first-time campers or paddlers. You should be very comfortable in a canoe and in the water. You should be able to provide sufficient clothing and personal gear as per the gear list. Everyone will be expected to help around camp and on the water including portaging gear and canoes between waterways. Expect to carry 50 to 60 pounds on portage trails consisting of gear and/or a canoe. The longest portage of the entire trip is about 1/2 of a mile. The shortest portages are just a couple yards. The pace will be relaxed at times and challenging at others. Expect to paddle several hours on paddle days and portage over land when necessary. We plan to have at least one zero travel day weather permitting.  

AS ALWAYS >>> A gear list and other details will be sent to you upon payment.  

Price: $1,150 due August 1st

A $300.00 non-refundable deposit can be used to hold your spot 

Use coupon code PADDLE by May 1st and save $150!

Price Includes: 

• BWCA permits 

• All meals from put-in to take-out 

• Tandem canoes 

• Canoe packs 

• Paddles 

• Life vests 

• Canoe packs for your gear 

• Comprehensive group med kit 

• Lodging fees 

• Group kitchen 

• Purified water  

• Camp shower 

• Group tarp 

• Axe and saws  

Not Included: 

• Personal gear items

• Transportation to/from the BWCA 

• Trip/rescue insurance (recommended)

Please send all questions to info@nowoutdoors.org.