Camping in the BWCAW and Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime, whether you do one trip or are a seasoned wilderness traveler. Wilderness camping has a different “flavor” than camping at a state park or resort. But your experience is so much more. The comforts of home are what you bring with you. You carry in what you need.
Outfitting Needs
Many people find less is more and really limit themselves to necessities. But don’t let this put you off. Choosing Spirit of the Wilderness for your outfitting needs will ensure you have valuable information and top quality gear to make your adventure a success.
- Meals are all planned out and our guest report they eat better on the trail than at home. We send you a menu ahead of time to choose your meals. When you arrive at our Ely-based facility, we will have your menu choices set out for you to review before you start your adventure. This allows you to make any last minute changes.
- You only need a limited change of clothes on the trail. We will send you a recommended list so you take the correct seasonal clothing.
- Tents, sleeping bags and pads are clean and will keep you warm, bug-free and dry for a good night sleep.
- Cooking equipment /utensils, dining tarp, packs, matches, TP and more round out our complete outfitting gear. All in good working order.
BWCA Campsites
Campsites in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are established and maintained by the USFS. Sites are available on a first arrived basis. Only maximum 9 people to a site. Each site will have a fire grate cemented into the rock, 2-4 tents set-up sites and a pit toilet up one of the trails away from your camping area. Some sites will fit your group better than others as the tent sites are roughed in and fairly level. Our experienced staff will review your route with you and highlight preferred campsites.
Canada’s Quetico Park service uses a different philosophy to camping. Campsites are not designated, nor are there established fire grates or latrines. So be sure to bring your own fire grate and a small shovel or trowel for digging a hole and covering your wastes. You can camp anywhere in the Quetico, so choose a fairly level area. Refer to Fisher and McKenzie maps for some preferred sites.
Leave No Trace
Camping trips in the Boundary Waters and Quetico are best when everyone uses a “leave no trace” approach. What you pack-in, you pack out. We’d heavily suggest reading the Techie Camper website to learn about what you should bring along, and all things camping related.
We Are Ready to Outfit You for your Ely Camping Trips
Wilderness camping takes a bit more planning and Spirit of the Wilderness is ready to help you with determining a route, reserving and issuing your permit, Minnesota fishing licenses, what to bring, complete or partial outfitting, canoe rental, bunkhouse service, transportation to and from your entry point, hot showers, bait and tackle and those last minute items you may have forgot or north country gifts for your loved ones.
