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 BWCAW Wilderness FACTS Wildlife Viewing/Birding Scenic Touring Seasons Outfitters Links 
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 Boundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessNational Geographic Explorer includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in their list of the top 50 “must see” places in the world. If you’ve been here already, most likely it’s number 1 on your list. Situated within the Superior National Forest, the BWCAW covers over a million acres and offers over 1,500 miles of canoe routes within more than 1,000 lakes, rivers and streams. No one lives in the Boundary Waters, nor will you see any buildings, roads, city lights or crowds. Most of the lakes are paddle only, so for canoeists of all ages, it’s a dream come true. Your chances of spotting moose, bear and other wildlife are excellent. Nightlife is defined by brilliant constellations, shooting stars and colorful northern lights. Although over 200,000 people visit the BWACW annually, you can spend several days in this wilderness haven and see fewer people than in the local coffee shop. The cry of the loon, the slap of the beaver’s tail, a serenade by a timber wolf pack – this is Mother Nature’s choice of music. So be prepared to leave behind the cell phone, the Blackberry, even the wristwatch, and reacquaint yourself with real time. Your wilderness adventure could be an established base camp with a variety of day trips and very little gear to carry over portages. A loop trip will take you from lake to lake, and you decide how challenging you’d like your portages, or how remote you’d like your experience to be. You might surprise yourself with how much you are inspired to do! Timing your Boundary Waters trip presents some fun choices. Late May and early June offer great fishing, serving up lake trout, walleye, northern pike and small mouth bass. How about wildflowers and strawberries in June? July and August bring raspberries, blueberries and more flowers, including marsh marigolds, blue flag iris, wild roses, Indian paintbrush and the prized lady’s slipper. In early September, you’ll have warm days, cool (we say refreshing) nights and superior luck with fishing. By mid-month, fall colors begin to appear – reason enough to choose September and even early October. Abundant wildlife and over 240 bird species are your traveling companions all season. Forests of white, red and jack pine, tamarack, fir, aspen, black spruce, cedar and birch cover 90% of the wilderness. With about 2,200 designated campsites (permits given on a first-come basis), there is a place for you, your friends and family within the most beautiful scenery on earth. | Outfitters |BWACW Wildflowers | For additional information, call the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association: |