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This loop offers a scenic and manageable multi-day trip for those seeking a mix of river and lake paddling. Starting on the South Kawishiwi River, the route connects through several lakes like Clear Lake, Hudson Lake, and Lake Insula. The portages are generally short to moderate, making for a relatively smooth flow from one body of water to the next. The river sections provide a meandering, sheltered experience, while the lakes offer more open paddling. This area is less heavily trafficked than some central BWCA routes, providing a better chance for solitude and wildlife viewing, including moose and various waterfowl. Nearest town is Ely. Best visited in late spring or early fall to avoid peak summer crowds and bugs. Wind can be a factor on larger lakes. Campsites are generally good, but planning ahead for popular weekends is always wise. It's a fantastic route for intermediate paddlers.
Pros
- Manageable portages for a multi-day trip
- Mix of river and lake paddling offers varied scenery
- Good opportunity for solitude compared to central routes
- Excellent wildlife viewing potential (moose, loons)
- Suitable for intermediate paddlers
Cons
- Winds on larger lakes can be challenging
- Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense in summer
- Requires careful navigation skills for the route
- Campsites fill up fast on peak weekends
Best uses
- Intermediate canoe camping
- Wildlife photography
- Family wilderness trips
- Fishing excursions
Specifications
- Location
- Northeastern Minnesota, BWCAW (EP 32)
- Nearest Town
- Ely, Minnesota
- Route Type
- Multi-day canoe loop
- Primary Activity
- Canoeing, portaging, fishing
- Terrain
- Forest, lakes, rivers, rock outcrops
- Difficulty
- Intermediate (paddling, navigation)
Best for
Intermediate canoe camping, Wildlife photography, Family wilderness trips, Fishing excursions
The Kawishiwi Triangle, accessible via Entry Point 32 on the South Kawishiwi River, offers a quintessential Boundary Waters experience for those seeking a balance of challenge and serenity. This multi-day loop navigates a mosaic of meandering river sections and interconnected lakes, providing varied paddling conditions and scenery. It’s a route that feels both remote and manageable, ideal for paddlers ready to spend several days immersed in the wilderness. The appeal lies in its relative quietude compared to more central BWCA corridors, granting a better chance for genuine solitude and wildlife encounters. While offering the rugged beauty expected of the BWCA, the Kawishiwi Triangle is notable for its generally moderate portages, making for smoother transitions between waterways. This isn't a route for speed, but for soaking in the granite-lined shores, dense boreal forests, and the vast, open skies. It’s a place where the rhythm of paddle strokes and the rustle of leaves replace the clamor of the modern world, inviting a deep connection with the wild. Proper planning, as with any BWCA trip, is key to fully appreciating its unique character.
Geography & Terrain
The Kawishiwi Triangle spans a region characterized by the ancient geology of the Canadian Shield. Expect exposed granite bedrock, dense mixed boreal forest dominated by pines, spruces, and aspens, and a complex network of lakes and river channels. The South Kawishiwi River itself meanders gently through marshy areas and tighter, forested banks before opening into larger lake systems like Clear Lake, Hudson Lake, and the expansive Lake Insula. Shorelines are often rocky with intermittent sandy stretches at campsite landings. The topography is generally rolling, with no significant elevation changes, though portages can involve uphill climbs.
Best Seasons & Weather
The prime window for this route is late spring (May-early June) and early fall (September-early October). Late spring offers lush greenery, active wildlife, and fewer insects than mid-summer, though water temperatures are still cold. Fall brings stunning foliage, crisp air, and significantly fewer crowds and bugs, making for a truly spectacular experience. Mid-summer can be pleasant, but expects higher temperatures, more humidity, increased insect activity (mosquitoes, black flies), and peak visitor numbers. Winds can be a significant factor on larger lakes in any season, particularly during spring and fall.
Wildlife & Nature
This region is prime habitat for iconic North Woods wildlife. Moose sightings are common, particularly in marshier areas along the river. Paddlers often encounter black bears (requiring proper food storage), deer, wolves (heard more often than seen), and various smaller mammals like otter and beaver. Birdlife is abundant, with loons providing their haunting calls, eagles soaring overhead, and a variety of waterfowl on the lakes and rivers. Anglers will find excellent opportunities for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout in the deeper lakes.
Key Attractions & Routes
The beauty of the Kawishiwi Triangle is the journey itself. Key segments include the winding South Kawishiwi River, which offers sheltered paddling and a good introduction to the BWCA. Clear Lake and Hudson Lake serve as crucial connectors, while Lake Insula provides a wider, more open paddling experience with numerous islands and bays to explore. The portages, generally rated short to moderate, link these waterways efficiently. There are no singular "attractions" in the traditional sense; rather, the appeal is the unbroken wilderness, the quiet campsites, and the opportunity for deep immersion in nature.
Permits & Access
Access is via Entry Point 32 (South Kawishiwi River), located southwest of Ely. All visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) require a permit, which must be reserved in advance. Day-use permits are separate from overnight permits. Overnight permits specify your entry point and date, and there are strict quotas in place, especially for popular summer dates. Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov. Detailed regulations regarding group size, can and bottle restrictions, and Leave No Trace principles are enforced. Self-registration for day-use is available at the entry point.
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.
Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River) — frequently asked questions
- Is Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River) worth the trip?
- We rank it #6 in BWCA Flatwater Canoe Routes. This loop offers a scenic and manageable multi-day trip for those seeking a mix of river and lake paddling. Starting on the South Kawishiwi River, the route connects through several lakes like Clear Lake, Hudson Lake, and Lake Insula.
- Who is Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River) best for?
- Best for intermediate canoe camping, wildlife photography, family wilderness trips and fishing excursions. Standouts: manageable portages for a multi-day trip and mix of river and lake paddling offers varied scenery.
- What are the drawbacks of Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River)?
- Winds on larger lakes can be challenging, Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense in summer and Requires careful navigation skills for the route.
- What are the key details for Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River)?
- Location: Northeastern Minnesota, BWCAW (EP 32) · Nearest Town: Ely, Minnesota · Route Type: Multi-day canoe loop · Primary Activity: Canoeing, portaging, fishing · Terrain: Forest, lakes, rivers, rock outcrops
- Geography & Terrain — what should I know about the Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River)?
- The Kawishiwi Triangle spans a region characterized by the ancient geology of the Canadian Shield. Expect exposed granite bedrock, dense mixed boreal forest dominated by pines, spruces, and aspens, and a complex network of lakes and river channels.
- Best Seasons & Weather — what should I know about the Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River)?
- The prime window for this route is late spring (May-early June) and early fall (September-early October). Late spring offers lush greenery, active wildlife, and fewer insects than mid-summer, though water temperatures are still cold.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Kawishiwi Triangle (Entry Point 32, South Kawishiwi River), Minnesota, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Kawishiwi River, Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA · 47.905, -91.717
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