Boundary Waters Canoe Map +
3-Day Beginner Route from Ely
3-day beginner canoe trip in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. A loop from Entry Point 30 through Lake One, Lake Two, and Lake Three with short, well-maintained portages, quiet campsites, and excellent walleye fishing, all launched from Ely.
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A beginner-friendly Lake One to Lake Three loop, from Ely.
For a first canoe trip in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), base your logistics out of Ely and launch from Entry Point 30 (Lake One). This 3-day loop threads the interconnected chain of Lake One, Lake Two, and Lake Three, with short, well-maintained portages that make an ideal introduction to the lift-and-carry rhythm of wilderness paddling.
The route runs roughly 14 to 20 miles of paddling over two nights, with 4 to 6 portages that are mostly flat and under 100 rods. Because the lakes are linked and sheltered by islands, you stay off big open water, which keeps wind exposure and difficulty low for beginners while still delivering true wilderness solitude and walleye fishing.
An overnight quota permit is required from May 1 through September 30 and must be reserved through Recreation.gov. Reservations open in late January and popular weekends sell out fast. Late May to early June and late August through September bring the fewest bugs and the best fishing, though July and August offer the warmest water for swimming.
Overnight quota permits for the May 1 to September 30 season open for reservation in late January on Recreation.gov, and popular Entry Point 30 dates on June, July, and September weekends can sell out within minutes. Book the moment they release. Expect a $6 reservation fee plus a per-person user fee (about $16 per adult, $8 for youth and seniors). Ely outfitters such as Piragis Northwoods and Spirit of the Wilderness rent canoes and full kits if you don't own gear.
Permit Pickup & Paddle to Lake Two · 5–7 miles
Start in Ely by picking up your physical permit and watching the short orientation video at your outfitter or the Kawishiwi Ranger Station, then drive about 30 minutes east on the Fernberg Road to Entry Point 30 (Lake One). Launch by late morning and paddle Lake One through its maze of islands and bays, tackling a couple of short, flat portages as an introduction to lift-and-carry travel.
Continue into Lake Two and begin scouting for a campsite by early afternoon, since sites are first-come, first-served and fill up on weekends. Look for a spot with wind protection, a level tent pad, and easy canoe access. Set up camp, hang your food, and settle in for an evening of walleye fishing, loon calls, and stargazing.
- Permit holder + photo ID required · watch orientation video
- Drive to Entry Point 30 (Lake One)~30 min east of Ely on Fernberg Road · parking at the landing
- Paddle Lake One & portages2–3 mi · short flat portages, generally under 80 rods
- Camp on Lake TwoFirst-come site · set up by late afternoon · hang food
- The permit holder must pick up the physical permit in person in Ely with a valid photo ID before entering, and everyone watches a short Leave No Trace orientation video.
- Secure a Lake Two campsite by early afternoon. Sites are first-come, first-served and marked with a brown sign and a tent symbol, and they fill quickly on summer weekends.
- All cans and bottles are prohibited in the BWCAW. Repackage food and drinks into reusable containers before you leave the outfitter.
First portagesCamp on Lake TwoExplore Lake Two & Lake Three · 4–6 miles
Loon calls at duskSecond nightSpend the morning exploring Lake Two, known for its walleye and smallmouth bass, then make the short portage into Lake Three. This portage is typically well-maintained and under 100 rods, opening access to more remote, secluded water. Decide whether to move camp or run this as a day trip and return to your Lake Two site.
Paddle the shores of Lake Three looking for moose, eagles, and quiet rocky points for a lunch stop or a swim on a warm day. Set up your second night on either lake, secure all food and scented items, and enjoy another evening of wilderness quiet before the paddle out.
- Morning fishing on Lake TwoWalleye & smallmouth bass · MN fishing license required
- Portage to Lake ThreeShort, well-maintained · typically under 100 rods
- Explore Lake ThreeMore secluded · moose, eagles & rocky lunch points
- Camp on Lake Two or Lake ThreeSecond night · hang food · Leave No Trace
- A Minnesota fishing license is required. Lake Two and Lake Three both hold walleye and smallmouth bass, and catch-and-release is encouraged for larger fish.
- Portages can be muddy after rain, so use good footing and proper lifting technique, and be courteous by yielding to other groups already on the trail.
- Store all food, trash, and scented items by hanging them from a tree or using a bear-resistant container at least 100 feet from your tent and 200 feet from your cooking area.
Return to Entry Point 30 · 5–7 miles
Break camp early, double-check the site for forgotten items and trash, and start paddling before the afternoon wind builds. Retrace your route through Lake Two and complete the familiar portages back into Lake One, which feel more manageable the second time around.
Cross Lake One for a final stretch of wilderness before reaching Entry Point 30. Aim to be off the water by early afternoon, load your canoe and gear, and drive the 30 minutes back to Ely to return rental gear and grab a celebratory meal.
- Break camp & paddle Lake Two2–3 mi · start early to beat afternoon winds
- Portages back to Lake One2 short portages · familiar route
- Paddle Lake One to Entry Point 302–3 mi · final wilderness stretch · off water by early afternoon
- Drive back to Ely~30 min · return rental gear · celebratory meal in town
- Start paddling early on the last day. Lake One and Lake Two can build a stiff afternoon chop, and a headwind adds real difficulty on the open crossings.
- Pack out everything you packed in and leave the campsite cleaner than you found it. Bury human waste 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water, campsite, or trail.
- Maximum group size in the BWCAW is 9 people and 4 watercraft. Keep your party within that limit when you plan and reserve your permit.
Portages outLast of the wildernessNow build your Boundary Waters trip.
You've seen all three days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your pace, and whether you extend the loop deeper into the Kawishiwi chain from your Ely base.
Essential wilderness regulations & planning.
Permits & the quota system
An overnight quota permit is required for all trips from May 1 through September 30 and must be reserved through Recreation.gov. Permits are tied to a specific entry point and entry date, and you must enter the BWCAW on that date at Entry Point 30. Reservations open in late January, and popular summer weekends sell out fast.
Fees & fishing license
Expect a $6 Recreation.gov reservation fee plus a per-person user fee of about $16 per adult and $8 for youth and seniors for the quota season. A separate Minnesota fishing license is required to fish, and America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes reduce the per-person fee.
Camping & fire rules
Camp only at designated sites, which are first-come, first-served and marked with a brown tent sign. Campfires are allowed only in the established steel fire grates unless a burn ban is in effect. Bring a small saw for deadfall and never leave a fire unattended.
Bears & food storage
Black bears live in the BWCAW. Store all food, trash, and scented items by hanging them from a tree or using a bear-resistant container at least 100 feet from your tent and 200 feet from your cooking area, and never leave food unattended.
Leave No Trace & no cans
Pack out everything you pack in and keep noise to a minimum. All cans and bottles are prohibited, so repackage food and drinks into reusable containers. No motorized watercraft are allowed in this section of the wilderness. Group size is capped at 9 people and 4 watercraft.
Getting there & outfitters
Ely is about 2 hours from Duluth International Airport (DLH) and 4.5 to 5 hours from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP); a car is required. Entry Point 30 is roughly 30 minutes east of Ely on the Fernberg Road. Outfitters such as Piragis Northwoods, Spirit of the Wilderness, and Boundary Waters Outfitters rent canoes, gear, and full kits.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
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Boundary Waters canoe route.
Entry Point 30 logistics, the permit quota system and fees, portage lengths, campsite and fire rules, bear-bagging and Leave No Trace regulations, Ely outfitters, and the drive times from Duluth and MSP you need to run this loop with confidence.
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