Advice for Boundary Waters

Advice on Visiting Boundary Waters
Taking a mega road trip this summer with Yaks on the roof and bikes on the hitch. Was thinking of adding a stop to paddle the Boundary Waters area in MN.
Looking for some guidance here from folks with some knowledge of the area.
We're hoping to day paddle, not camp over night so wanted to base in an area with accommodations.
Suggested place?
Do you need reservations way in advance?
If you have only a short visit planned, is there a must see area?
Are permits/passports required.
Any issues leaving my loaded Vehicle parked while paddling?
General advice?
Would be in that area early Aug
Thanks in advance for the help

 

@PoweredBySoy may have more knowledge, or may know others who may know more. It's been a while since I have been up there.

There's two primary ways in, off the Gunflint trail out of Grand Marais, or through Ely. My personal preference is up off the Gunflint, if you need some place to stay I'm sure there's a variety no matter where you go. I know on Gunflint there's the Gunflint Lodge and Seagull Cabins. IDK what else you're doing in MN, but at least if you do Gunflint that'll take you up the north shore and see more sights of temperance river, split rock, gooseberry falls, etc.

Reservations really depend on where you want to go for an entrance point. Entrance points have a limit of how many people can enter per day. If it's a limited entrance point to only a couple groups per day, reservations are definitely needed. If you can get a reservation you should get one. The reservations for the year start at the end of January so at this point it's going to be more "you get what you get", not to say that any of those entrance points are bad though.

Permits are required, for entry and overnight. They outline better here.
http://www.bwca.cc/tripplanning/reservations.htm

Last time I went several years ago they required you to watch safety videos that emphasized "Leave no trace" and talked about bears and rigging up food to be suspended away from bears.

Leaving your vehicle parked is no problem. I personally haven't had or heard of any problems. Just don't leave any tempting food available that might give a bear a reason to tear your vehicle apart. Pretty much everyone leaves their vehicles parked for days or weeks at a time.


Sorry I can't really speak to where you should go in the boundary waters specifically. I would just browse as many trip reports as I could find online to find out where some cool cliffs or falls were to check out.



Clear as mud?

 

I'm actually heading up to Fall Lake right now - but this is more of a short, truck-camping family trip. Hoping to introduce Riley to some canoeing.

I'm fairly certain for day-visits you only need a self-issued permit - probably at the entry point. But I haven't really done much paddling up there, so I can't say for certain. I've hiked a lot more Boundary Waters than I've paddled.

Overnight reservations are definitely limited and should be booked well in advance.