We're sorry. An error has occurred
Please cancel or retry.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Eastern Region
Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
-
16 June 2026

Plan your perfect canoe trip in the eastern BWCAW with 28 entry points and dozens of routes near Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Spanning over a million acres on the US-Canada border, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northeastern Minnesota is a world-renowned destination for paddlers. With a canoe or kayak, you can paddle its remote lakes and rushing rivers, near waterfalls and through pristine forests. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a weeklong expedition, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Eastern Region by Louis Dzierzak helps you find the perfect route for your ability, interests, and schedule.
Since 1979, this classic guide—and its companion volume covering the western region—has been the trusted resource for navigating the BWCAW, which offers more than 1,000 lakes, 1,200 miles of canoe routes, and 154 miles of portage trails. This updated edition focuses on 28 entry points near Grand Marais, Minnesota, via the Sawbill Trail and the Gunflint Trail. For each entry point, you’ll find route options for both short and extended trips, with detailed planning information to help you make the most of your time in the wilderness.
Inside you’ll find:
- Complete trip data, including total distance, time, and difficulty
- Permit and quota requirements, plus recommended Fisher maps
- Day-by-day details, including portage info, campsite suggestions, and more
- Fishing recommendations for surrounding lakes and rivers
- Expert tips on navigation and points of interest
- BONUS: Lake Index for Fishing, covering all 242 lakes featured in the guide
When the muse screaming in his ear was too loud to ignore, Louis Dzierzak walked away from a successful advertising career to become a full-time freelance writer. He’s written about issues and trends in outdoor recreation for more than a decade. Lou firmly believes that paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is the best way to recover from constant publishing deadlines. He lives in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
Acknowledgments
Locator Map of Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness, Eastern Region
Prefaces
Chapter 1: Introduction to the BWCA Wilderness
Chapter 2: How to Plan a Wilderness Canoe Trip
Chapter 3: Entry from the Sawbill Trail
- Entry Point 36—Hog Creek
- Entry Point 37—Kawishiwi Lake
- Entry Point 38—Sawbill Lake
- Entry Point 39—Baker Lake
- Entry Point 40—Homer Lake
- Entry Point 41—Brule Lake
Chapter 4: Entry from the Gunflint Trail—West
- Entry Point 43—Bower Trout Lake
- Entry Point 44—Ram Lake
- Entry Point 45—Morgan Lake
- Entry Point 47—Lizz Lake & Swamp Lake
- Entry Point 48—Meeds Lake
- Entry Point 49—Skipper Lake & Portage Lake
- Entry Point 50—Cross Bay Lake
- Entry Point 51—Missing Link Lake
- Entry Point 52—Brant Lake
- Entry Point 54—Seagull Lake
- Entry Point 55—Saganaga Lake
Chapter 5: Entry from the Gunflint Trail—East and Arrowhead Trail
- Entry Point 80—Larch Creek
- Entry Point 57—Magnetic Lake
- Entry Point 58—South Lake
- Entry Point 60—Duncan Lake
- Entry Point 61—Daniels Lake
- Entry Point 62—Clearwater Lake
- Entry Point 64—East Bearskin Lake
- Entry Point 66—Crocodile River
- Entry Point 68—Pine Lake
- Entry Point 69—John Lake
- Entry Point 70—North Fowl Lake
Appendix I: Routes Categorized by Difficulty and Duration
Appendix II: Commercial Canoe Trip Outfitters
Appendix III: Lake Index for Fishing
Appendix IV: BWCAW Hiking Trails in the Eastern Region
Appendix V: More Resources
Photo Credits
Index