Canoe camping for all experience levels

The items listed here are essential for a fun and safe canoe camping and fishing adventure in the amazing Boundary Waters Canoe Area & Wilderness.  Not all of these items are required, this list is provided as a baseline to add or subtract from. Although we supply equipment for your trip, do not forget…

• 2 pairs of shoes; Hiking boots and camp shoes. Your boots will be used for portaging and canoeing. As for camp shoes choose what you like but make sure they are durable. Also great are canoe/water shoes which are basically heavy duty sandals with boot treads; Keen makes a large selection of canoe camping & portaging sandals.

• At least 3 or 4 pairs of socks.  Hiking socks are preferable. Make sure one pair is heavy for sleeping in cold weather. Also have a lighter pair for warm weather and in camp. Also consider looking into dry socks that, when your boots get wet, will keep your feet dry. Cotton socks should not be worn when using Kevlar canoes – the canoe is made from lightweight material and needs to be floating in the water before you load and unload it, making it necessary to stand in the water. 

• Clothing; Two sets of clothes including, pants, underwear, base layers, flannel shirt, wool sweater, t-shirt.  Layering is important when canoe camping. Attempt to avoid cotton. Always have a second change of clothes in case your initial set gets wet. Keep an extra set of clothes in your car for the trip home. Clothing is a personal preference, but make sure you are always properly prepared for the elements as the Arrowhead weather can change in a heartbeat. 

• Gloves – waterproof (two pair for fall or spring)

• Warm jacket if going into cold weather.

• Rain gear (pants and jacket) – pack last, make sure it’s at the top of the pack and easy to access for the quick rain bursts

• Brimmed hat and/or stocking hat/beanie, Buff (wonderfully versatile and helpful against insects and sun)

• Maps (with campsites and portages marked)

• Compass

• GPS – we have a Garmin inReach SE for rent. Cell phone GPS will work while canoe camping but you need to download a map before you leave WiFi. Cell phones cannot send or receive messages in our area, but a satellite device like our inReach can, plus they include an emergency beacon that could summon the County Sheriff or a float plane for rescue.

• Medical kit; there are many nice kits out there but we recommend having a Sam Splint and some form of Quick-Clot Trauma kit as additions to your med kit (Basic Med-kits provided for rental by Rockwood if needed)

• Pocket knife and/or Multi-tool

• Filet knife if fishing

• Toilet articles (TP, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) inside a zip lock bag

• Sunglasses with strap (back-up pair is recommended, they like to get stepped and sat on)

• Flashlight and/or headlamp, extra batteries

• Small lantern

• Camera and/or smartphone on airplane mode for pictures (extra ziplock bag to keep it dry)

• Sunscreen

• Bug repellent (please research and choose what works best for you)

• A good book & journal + writing utensils

• Fire starters; stormproof matches, flint & steel, lighters that ignite in the wind.

• Towel and/or hand towel

• Carabiners

• Nite Ize Gear ties or “Bungee Dealee Bobs” (amazing multi use ties, great addition to your trip)

• Rope and paracord

• Duct tape

• Head net for bugs

• Handkerchief

• Emergency whistle and/or mirror

• Water bottle such as a Nalgene

• Spare ziplocs and garbage bags, aluminum foil

• Fishing gear
  • Two rods (always good to have back-ups in case they break or get stepped on)
  • Stringer
  • Tackle (bobbers, sinkers, hooks, bobber stops, leaders, fishing line)
  • Fishing Lures; Dependent on what you plan to fish for. If needed consult Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters for recommendations, and to see what we have in stock.

Here at Rockwood we can outfit your canoe camping & BWCAW adventure. Here is a list of the equipment that we can supply.   

• Canoes

• Paddles (included w/ canoe rental) *Bending Branches paddles available for upgrade

• Life Jackets (included w/ canoe rental)

• Canoe seats

• Food Packages (includes three meals and two snacks per day per person)

• Tents

• Tarps; preferably one large enough to cover your camp grate area for your group to sit rain free + a small emergency back-up.

• Sleeping bags, pads and pillows

• Maps & map cases

• Water filtration

• Granite Gear, CCS, Kondos and Duluth-style canoe packs

• Food Packs w/ box liner, Insulated Food Packs

• Food Barrels w/ carrying harness

• Bear Ropes (for hanging food packs)

• Camp Stoves & Fuel

• Cook kit with Utensils and Cutting Board (NOT FOR COOKING OVER CAMPFIRES)

• Mess kit (plate, silverware, bowl, cup)

• Camp Griddle (NOT FOR COOKING OVER CAMPFIRES)

• Coffee pot

• Dry packs

• Compression and clothing sacks

• Cleaning kit (towel, washcloth, soap, scrub pad)

• First Aid Kits (consider a Sam Splint and some form of Quick-Clot Trauma kit)

• Camp Saw (we do NOT have hatchets)

• Ropes, Matches, Lighters, Toilet Paper, etc

• Fishing nets & anchor bags

• Rod holder

• Live bait (worms and leeches upon request)
  
• We do have some used fishing rods and reels for you to use, conditions vary.

• Leave a set of clean clothes in your vehicle for the end of the trip. Change into them after taking a hot shower here at Rockwood. Stay warm and stay dry!

Remember to pack as light as possible because you will have to carry it.