Boundary Waters Canoe Area Honeymoon
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An aerial view of
northern Minnesota's lake country in Voyageurs National
Park, which is "next door" to the BWCA. National Park
Service photo. |
The magic of the
Boundary Waters lies in simple things: The sound of water gently lapping
a granite shoreline; wind whispering through a thousand pines; a loon's
haunting call echoing across the water at sunset—then, later, the rare
howl of a wolf. The smell of pine needles and the smoke of a crackling
fire. A million stars strewn across the darkest sky you've ever seen,
their reflections dancing in the water below. The hard edges of granite
outcroppings juxtaposed against the softer contours of dense woods. A
hidden waterfall. A day measured not by clocks but by the leisurely pace
of paddles dipping into water.
If that description
appeals to you, then you might consider a honeymoon in the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area; we've done two trips there and would recommend it to
any couple with previous canoeing and wilderness camping experience. If
you don't have such experience but would like to explore the Boundary
Waters anyway, consider staying with any of the dozens of BWCA
outfitters who offer comfortable overnight accommodations; you can
explore the wilderness by day.
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A typical lakeside
campsite in Voyageurs National Park. National Park
Service photo. |
And there's plenty to
explore: the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a vast expanse of more than
1,000 lakes on the Minnesota-Canada border. It's a federally designated
wilderness area, which means that motors are banned from all but a dozen
or so lakes. Access to the area is limited and distributed across a
number of entry points; depending on the season and the entry point,
it's possible to see very few other people during a weeklong trip.
Now that we've sold
you on the romance of the Boundary Waters, here are a few words of
caution:
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If you're not
comfortable being on your own in a wilderness area, this isn't the
best destination for your honeymoon.
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Avoid the bug
season in the spring and early summer. While die-hard wilderness
campers won't be fazed by a few mosquitoes or black flies, they
definitely put a damper on romance. Ask an outfitter or someone who
is a BWCA veteran about the best times to go.
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Bring sunscreen,
insect repellent, and warm clothes—it gets cool, even chilly, at
night.
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Don't let the
remote possibility of a bear encounter prevent you from visiting,
but do be prepared to secure your food in a tree at night. It's
extremely rare for bears to threaten people in the BWCA, but
there is a fair chance your food will be raided by them (or
raccoons) if it's accessible.
If you decide to do
this trip, your best bet is to sign up with an outfitter who can provide
you with everything you need—including food and valuable advice.
Although you will eventually want to consult a good guidebook, the links
below are a good place to start exploring the magic of the Boundary
Waters.
TOP • LINKS
Cost
Permits to camp in the Boundary Waters
are relatively inexpensive—$10 per person per trip, plus reservation
fees. Purchasing or renting special equipment may add to the cost of
this trip. Canoes and related equipment can be rented from a plethora of
outfitters in the area; rates run about $20-$30 (depending on the
quality of the canoe) per person, per day. Complete outfitting packages
(including all necessary food and equipment) generally run $50-$70 per
person, per day.
TOP • LINKS
Boundary Waters
Canoe Area Wilderness
Official U.S. National Forest Service
site for the BWCA. But for a better introduction to the wilderness area,
see the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness web site.
BWCAW
Online Permit Reservation Center
Check out fees and reserve a permit to
camp in the BWCAW.
BWCA: A Paddler's Paradise (Minnesota Monthly)
If you're new to the Boundary Waters,
start here for an excellent orientation to what you might expect on a
BWCA canoe trip. Includes a brief FAQ.
Friends of the
Boundary Waters Wilderness
A good introduction to the BWCAW, with
a downloadable PDF about planning a trip.
Canoeing on the Edge: Trips in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area
A very good introduction to several
canoe route possibilities in the Boundary Waters. You'll still want to
consult a map and solid guidebook before choosing your route, but this
article will whet your appetite. Be prepared for popup ads on this site.
Explore Minnesota:
Boundary Waters & Canoeing
The official site of the Minnesota
Department of Tourism offers a helpful list of more than 50 canoe
outfitters in the BWCA. The Explore Minnesota site is also helpful for
finding other things to do during your visit.
A Sixth Sense
Bert Heep writes about the sights,
sounds, smells, textures, and tastes of the BWCA during the four-month
trip he and his wife took there.
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is also located
in Minnesota's canoe country; this is the official NPS web site.
TOP • LINKS
Your honeymoon story
Have you done this trip (whether on
your honeymoon or other travel)? We'd love to hear about your experience
so we can share it with others . . . just
drop us a line.
Last Updated:
September 07, 2007
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