Come and explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) with experienced outdoor guide Maddy! Together, we'll camp at the shores of the beautiful border lakes, canoe and portage between lakes, learn about wilderness route finding and using topographical maps while hiking to Border Route Trail Overlooks, build our own simple first aid & gear repair kits, and set goals as a team and individual. In addition, we'll also spend time at a BWCA-adjacent paddle-in lodge/bunkhouse, and sauna in the wilderness before paddling out to one of the best restaurants in Minnesota (Poplar Haus!).
On this trip, we'll learn the basics of canoe camping and wilderness travel to build confidence in the outdoors!
This is a small group trip with 2 experienced guides for best possible hands-on learning experience!
Note: The minimum age limit is 12 years old. We welcome mother/daughter duos!
This trip is beginner-friendly, but keep in mind it is an involved camping adventure trip! We will take extra care to prepare you for backcountry camping on Zoom sessions before the trip, but come mentally prepared to paddle against the wind, potentially in rain, get muddy, and leave the trip with a rip-roaring adventure story!
Expect to canoe 4-8 miles a day, tackle 1-2 portages*, and hike as many as 10 miles of one of the more difficult routes in Minnesota on day two.
This trip is a great trip for anyone of moderate physical fitness super excited about learning more about backcountry camping, canoe camping, and the BWCA! Previous canoe and camping experience not required; anyone with a positive attitude, moderate physical fitness, and willingness to learn is a good fit for this trip!
Note: Shoulder injuries may make canoeing distances uncomfortable (that said, so long as you are capable of paddling we can probably set you up in a canoe with a guide)
Please reach out to our experienced guide Maddy directly at hello@madelinemarquardt.com for questions about whether or not the trip is a good fit for you.
*if you are unable to portage (carry a canoe over your head) no worries! You can help with gear on this section instead.
3 nights camping in shared tents with 2 ladies per tent. Bring your own sleeping bag (20 degree bags recommended!) and pad.
All meals included (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners) and all meal tips
3-day canoeing the Boundary Waters, night at lakeside bunkhouse with sauna, dinner at Poplar Haus restaurant
Map, Compass, and waterproof notebook for learning about route finding in the BWCA
Build your own wilderness gear repair kit
Build your own small weekender first aid kit
Commemorative Chicas Abroad swag included for you to enjoy during and after the adventure
Confidence and new skills in the outdoors, as well as make lifelong memories and new friends!
A generous tip has already been included into the price of the trip for both of your guides
Arrive in Grand Marais, MN around 10:30am on day 1 and depart around 2:00pm on day 4; the nearest airport is Duluth, MN if you are flying (you can choose to leave earlier on day 4 to catch a flight)
The adventure begins and ends in Grand Marais. Once the group is determined we will meet to discuss shared rides, rental cars, etc. There may be a small fee if sharing a rental car with other guests.
Bring your own sleeping bag and pad
Travel insurance is highly recommend to cover any unforeseen events. Chicas Abroad will provide you with a link to our recommended carrier upon booking, but you may choose any carrier.
The group will meet at the Artist's Point parking lot in Grand Marais, Minnesota between 10:15 AM and 10:45 AM to meet with guide and organizer Maddy. Once all the group members are present, we will drive as a group to the rendezvous point with Border Lakes Tour Company and our experienced Boundary Waters Guide! Expect to paddle 3-4 hours total, weather dependent.
At the put-in, our Boundary Waters Guide will give us a briefing on the days route and weather while guide Maddy prepares a charcuterie board lunch and then we will begin packing for our wilderness adventure. From here, we will paddle, portage, and adventure into the heart of the Boundary Waters in one of the most beautiful months of the year.
Keep your eyes peeled for pine martins, beaver, moose, bear, and lynx along the way!
Upon reaching our campsite we will set up camp, get comfortable, and enjoy a lakeside dinner. After dinner we will gather to build our own basic first aid and wilderness repair kits.
We will be basecamping here for two nights, so there will be no camp teardown on day two.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lakeside tent camping in the BWCA! Tents will be provided. If you would like to bring your own small backpacking tent, you may.
Wake up on the shores of a wilderness lake in the Boundary Waters and enjoy a cup of coffee! Listen to the calls of loons or the sound of moose mating in the distance!
After breakfast we'll gather around our maps, compasses, and notes and begin a quick intro to wilderness navigation lead by experienced guide Maddy! After a brief intro to topographical maps and route-finding, weather-dependent, we'll hop back in canoes and head toward the Border Route Trail, one of the most beautiful (and rugged) hiking trails in Minnesota.
As a group, we will pick out our Border Route Trail destination using topographical maps and practice way finding to reach our destination.
Enjoy lunch and views at our Border Route Trail destination! After a nice afternoon enjoying the trail, we'll head back to camp to have another delicious camp meal, share stories, and relax on a lovely night in the Boundary Waters.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent camping at a BWCA lake!
Activity: Hike 10 miles. Paddle 2-3 miles.
We will wake up to coffee and another beautiful Boundary Waters morning and enjoy lakeside breakfast while we begin the pack-up process.
From here, we'll head back out of the wilderness, but not quite all the way! From our wilderness campsite we will be headed to Camp Menogyn's rustic wilderness-adjacent lodge. Here, we will have bunkhouse style lodging and access to a sauna just feet from the lake!
Your guide Maddy will prepare a healthy and filling lunch of Mediterranean wraps, a fan favorite of hers, and we'll enjoy some sauna time before paddling across the lake where we will have dinner at the delicious Poplar Haus. This restaurant boasts some of the best food Minnesota has to offer. After dinner, we will make our journey back across the lake to Menogyn to enjoy the last night of our adventure at the bunkhouse.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Menogyn's rustic bunkhouses.
Activity: Paddle 2-4 hours, weather dependent.
Wake up for hot coffee and ricotta lemon french toast make by Maddy, to fuel up before our final paddle across the lake. Expect to paddle a short distance (less than half of a mile).
After packing up at the put-in, we'll head up to the Pincushion Mountain Trailhead for one last adventure as a group before disbanding. We'll tackle the mostly flat four-mile hike to the Pincushion Mountain Overlook.
Lunch will be a delicious and traditional camp meal of DIY PB&J, Nutella, and M&M tortilla wraps (optional lunch).
We will disband from this hike by 2pm at the latest. This final hike is optional for folks who have driven themselves.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity: Paddle 0.5 miles. Hike 4 miles and flat trail.
