Reader rating
Rate it and you move it. Community ratings re-rank this product inside its Top 10 list.
Expert-picked, reader-ranked. Our editors choose the products and the launch order; member star ratings move picks up or down over time.
This route takes you into the heart of some magnificent BWCA scenery with relatively short portages, ultimately leading to the expansive Crooked Lake. The entry via Mudro Lake involves a few carries, but they're manageable. Once on Crooked Lake, you have access to some incredible pictographs and diverse shoreline. This is a longer route, often taking 5-7 days to fully appreciate, but the paddling on the smaller lakes leading to Crooked is peaceful. The reward is a vast, beautiful lake with numerous islands and bays, offering plenty of exploration and a good chance for solitude, especially away from the main thoroughfare. Nearest town is Ely. Prime season is late spring through early fall. Be mindful of fishing regulations, as Crooked Lake spans the US-Canada border. Strong winds can make Crooked Lake challenging, and the border area can see more use. This route feels truly remote once you're deep within Crooked Lake.
Pros
- Access to vast, diverse Crooked Lake with numerous islands and bays
- Ancient Indigenous pictographs offer unique cultural interest
- Excellent fishing opportunities for multiple species (Walleye, Pike, Bass)
- Manageable portages on the entry route
- Offers profound wilderness solitude, especially on deeper bays
Cons
- Crooked Lake's open waters can become very challenging in strong winds
- Permits are highly competitive, requiring advance planning
- Can be crowded during peak summer months, especially near entry points
- Border lake status requires awareness of US/Canada regulations
Best uses
- Multi-day canoe camping
- Backcountry fishing trips
- Exploring ancient rock art
- Experiencing remote wilderness
- Extended family canoe adventures
Specifications
- Location
- BWCAW, Minnesota, USA (bordering Canada)
- Entry Point
- Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)
- Typical Duration
- 5-7 days
- Primary Activity
- Canoeing, Camping, Fishing
- Key Feature
- Expansive Crooked Lake, pictographs
- Nearest Town
- Ely, Minnesota
Best for
Multi-day canoe camping, Backcountry fishing trips, Exploring ancient rock art, Experiencing remote wilderness, Extended family canoe adventures
Embarking on the Crooked Lake route through Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) offers a deep dive into the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This journey is a proven path for those seeking a balance of accessible entry and profound wilderness experience. The initial string of smaller lakes, connected by a series of manageable portages, provides a gentle introduction before opening up to the majestic expanse of Crooked Lake itself. It's a route that rewards the multi-day commitment, typically requiring 5 to 7 days to genuinely explore its nooks and crannies. Crooked Lake is a destination that feels truly remote once you're beyond the initial entry traffic. Its vast, intricate shoreline, dotted with countless islands and hidden bays, invites extensive exploration. This is where you find the ancient pictographs, silent testaments to cultures long past, etched into granite cliffs. The water itself, clean and clear, supports diverse fishing, though anglers must be mindful of regulations as the lake straddles the US-Canada border. Wind can be a significant factor on Crooked's open waters, demanding respect and careful planning. The route is well-suited for paddlers with some experience, comfortable with multi-day trips and wilderness navigation. While the portages leading in are generally short and manageable, the sheer size of Crooked Lake means commitment to the journey. The nearest resupply point and entry formalities are handled out of Ely, Minnesota, making it a familiar jumping-off point for many BWCA adventurers. This is a classic, enduring route that delivers on the promise of northern wilderness solitude and adventure.
Geography & Terrain
The route navigates a mix of smaller, intimate lakes connected by short, relatively flat portages before reaching the grandeur of Crooked Lake. Terrain is classic Canadian Shield: granite outcrops, dense boreal forest dominated by pines, firs, and spruces. Crooked Lake itself is massive, characterized by numerous islands, deep bays, and rock cliffs, some bearing ancient pictographs. The vastness of Crooked Lake can make navigation tricky without a good map and compass, and its open nature leaves it exposed to strong winds, capable of kicking up significant waves. Shorelines vary from sandy beaches to rugged rock ledges.
Best Season & Weather
Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions. Late May and early June bring fewer bugs and generally lower water levels for easier portaging, though water can be cold. July and August are warmest but can be busy, with higher bug pressure. September and early October provide stunning fall colors, fewer crowds, and crisp, clear days, but prepare for cooler nights and the possibility of early frost. Strong winds are a constant consideration on Crooked Lake, regardless of season, making morning paddling often preferable before afternoon thermal winds build.
Wildlife Encounters
The BWCA is home to diverse wildlife. Expect to see loons, bald eagles, and various waterfowl. Mammals like moose, black bears, deer, and beaver are present, though sightings vary based on luck and time of day. Keep campsites clean and food stored properly to avoid attracting bears. Wolves are residents, though heard more often than seen. Crooked Lake's healthy ecosystem supports a robust fish population, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout, making it a prime fishing destination within the wilderness.
Key Routes & Attractions
The primary draw is Crooked Lake itself, with its numerous islands and bays for exploration, fishing, and camping. The most significant attractions are the several sets of Indigenous pictographs found on its cliffs, offering a tangible connection to the past. The route from Mudro Lake typically involves navigating Fourtown Lake, Boot Lake, Fairy Lake, and Gun Lake before reaching Crooked. Further exploration into Canadian waters (with proper permits) or deeper into the US side offers even more solitude and fishing opportunities. Specific camp spots are first-come, first-served.
Permits & Access
Access requires a BWCAW entry permit, specifically for Entry Point 23 (Mudro Lake). These permits are quota-controlled and must be reserved in advance, especially for peak season dates, via Recreation.gov. A self-issued permit is required for any groups traveling into Canada. Each group must designate a leader for the permit. Permits specify the entry date and entry point, but there are no designated exit points or dates. Bear canisters or approved bear-resistant food storage are highly recommended. All trash must be packed out. Nearest access town is Ely, MN.
How we picked
We built this ranking from trip reports, agency data, permit records, and our editors' own time on the ground. 10 places made the final cut out of a much longer working list, and each one had to clear the same set of criteria before it earned a spot.
- Quality of the terrain
- Landscape, route variety, and whether the place rewards multiple days rather than one overlook.
- Season and weather windows
- How long the reliable window is, and how badly the shoulder seasons punish a bad forecast.
- Access and permits
- Trailhead logistics, permit odds, quotas, and how much lead time a trip realistically takes.
- Solitude vs. crowding
- How far you have to walk before the place feels like wilderness instead of a queue.
- Wildlife and ecology
- What you can reasonably expect to see, and what you have to plan around.
- Risk and skill required
- Navigation, water crossings, exposure, and rescue distance — stated plainly.
Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) — frequently asked questions
- Is Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) worth the trip?
- We rank it #3 in BWCA Flatwater Canoe Routes. This route takes you into the heart of some magnificent BWCA scenery with relatively short portages, ultimately leading to the expansive Crooked Lake. The entry via Mudro Lake involves a few carries, but they're manageable.
- Who is Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) best for?
- Best for multi-day canoe camping, backcountry fishing trips, exploring ancient rock art and experiencing remote wilderness. Standouts: access to vast, diverse crooked lake with numerous islands and bays and ancient indigenous pictographs offer unique cultural interest.
- What are the drawbacks of Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)?
- Crooked Lake's open waters can become very challenging in strong winds, Permits are highly competitive, requiring advance planning and Can be crowded during peak summer months, especially near entry points.
- What are the key details for Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)?
- Location: BWCAW, Minnesota, USA (bordering Canada) · Entry Point: Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) · Typical Duration: 5-7 days · Primary Activity: Canoeing, Camping, Fishing · Key Feature: Expansive Crooked Lake, pictographs
- Geography & Terrain — what should I know about the Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)?
- The route navigates a mix of smaller, intimate lakes connected by short, relatively flat portages before reaching the grandeur of Crooked Lake. Terrain is classic Canadian Shield: granite outcrops, dense boreal forest dominated by pines, firs, and spruces.
- Best Season & Weather — what should I know about the Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)?
- Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions. Late May and early June bring fewer bugs and generally lower water levels for easier portaging, though water can be cold.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23), Indiana, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Crooked Lake, IN 46703, USA · 41.680, -85.037
Wildlife found around Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23)
Compare side by side
Put the Crooked Lake via Mudro Lake (Entry Point 23) against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.