What do I take on a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip?
How To Pack For A BWCAW Canoe Trip:
Packing for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA or BWCAW) canoe camping trip requires that you balance comfort with portability. You have to choose what gear is most important because you have to get out of your canoes and carry your gear (in packs) and canoes over portages. At Piragis Northwoods Company, we focus on lightweight, durable, and packable gear. Essential items include a kevlar canoe, PFD, lightweight tent, sleeping bag/pad, camp stove, bear-resistant containers, camp food and more (see below).
Personal items will be packed in dry bags and waterproofed interior-lined portage packs. Clothing should be planned so that you can dress in layers (leave cotton home), focusing on rain gear, quick-dry shirts and pants, wool socks, and sturdy wet/dry shoes.
As with any trip there are necessary personal items that you can bring at your discretion depending on priority and available space in your Boundary Waters pack. Since 1979 we've supplied canoe country and Boundary Waters campers and those who paddle Beyond with Trip Essentials. Not only do we rent these items individually or as a Full Outfitting package, but we also sell them through www.boundarywaterscatalog.com and our retail store in Ely, Minnesota. As highlighted below our lists, Outfitting Clients get a discount on all trip purchases from us.
Canoe Trip Checklist Included with Full Outfitting:
- Canoe
- PFD
- Paddles and a spare
- Canoe Seat
- Food
- Tent (with rainfly and ground cloth)
- Tarp
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Pillow
- Portage Packs with Liners
- Camp Stove with Fuel
- Coffee Pot or Press
- Cook Kit
- Fry Pans
- Aluminum Foil
- Utensils (Forks, spoons, knives, plates,
measuring cups, bowls, serving spoon, spatula) - Hot Drinks Mug
- Water Bottle
- Folding Water Bucket
- Dish Soap and Scrubbie
- Food Hanging System
- Pack Saw
- Pack Towel
- Boat Tape
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Sanitizer
- Garbage Bags and extra Ziplocs
- Matches and Lighters
- Firestarters
- Cook Grate and Trowel (Quetico)
- Food Pack or Bear Barrel
Personal Items Canoe Trip Packing List:
- 2 pairs of pants
- 2 shirts
- 3 pairs of underwear
- Shorts
- Wet boots
- Dry boots
- Wool socks
- Camp gloves
- Good rain gear
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray and Headnet
- Dry bag or compression sack for your clothes
- Lip Balm
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- Warm clothes (depending on weather)
Toothbrush and toothpaste - Multi-tool
- Prescription Medication
- Small hand towel
- Maps
- Map Case
- Compass
- Knife
- First Aid Kit
- Water Filter
- Sunglasses with lanyard
- Camera
- Extra Lighters
- Extra Rope
- Fishing Rod and Tackle (optional)
- Filet Knife (optional)
- Books (optional)
- Field Guides (optional)
- Paper and Pencil (optional)
- Playing Cards (optional)
- GPS (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
Optional Items available for Rent:
- Satellite Phone
- BugOut Tarp (Highly Recommended during bug season)
- Helinox Camp Chair
- Camp Table
**OUTFIT WITH US AND SAVE 10% ON RETAIL STORE AND THE BOUNDARY WATERS CATALOG PURCHASES.**
CALL DREW OR ADAM AT 800-223-6565 FOR DETAILS
