Canoe Day Trips
Location: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Grand Marais, MN
Length: 4-5 hours
Pricing:
$269 base price plus:
$29 per child (age 17 and under)
$59 per adult
Example: A tour for one adult and one child would be $357.
Open to all ages and skill levels!
Join us for an unforgettable day trip into the wild and scenic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota. Here you will see wildlife, swim in pristine waters, and walk through boreal forests — and at the end of the day, return to the comfort of your own lodgings. Come paddle routes that the Voyageurs used during the fur trade, look for moose along the Gunflint Trail, and discover why this rugged and remote place is so special.
Our typical day tours are private — we personalize our trips for your goals and experience level. First-time paddler? Our guided tours are the perfect way to discover wilderness canoeing. Our different locations (described below) offer adventure for all experience and ability levels.
Canoe day trips start around 9 am and last approximately 4-5 hours. Trips start from a variety of locations along the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais. Solo travelers welcome! There is a maximum of eight people allowed in the BWCA. If your group size exceeds eight people, please contact us so that we may find a way to accommodate you.
If there are no bookings available for a particular date, please contact us to be put on our waitlist.
Waterfalls and Vistas
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time from Grand Marais: 40 minutes
Price: Starts at $328
Hiking: Required
Our most popular tour, this route takes you through a landscape of bluffs and old-growth white pine forest before arriving at a rushing waterfall and a majestic overlook into the Canadian wilderness.
Islands and Bays
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Travel time from Grand Marais: 1h15m
Price: Starts at $328
Hiking: Optional.
Paddle around an island-filled lake, alongside palisades, and through a landscape changed by wildfire. We recommend this tour for anyone with mobility issues and to those looking for a tour that requires no hiking or portaging.
Rocks and Rivers
Difficulty: Moderate to more difficult.
Travel time from Grand Marais: 1 hour
Price: Starts at $328
Hiking: Required.
Paddle along the US-Canada border and the route used by the voyaguers. Wild blueberries abound starting mid-July on the massive granite faces that were exposed by forest fire.
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Our guides will provide you with:
Canoe
Paddle
Lifejacket
Dry bag
Note: Lunch is not included. If you are staying in Grand Marais we recommend picking up a lunch at the Fisherman's Daughter or picking up a meal to go at the Cook County Co-op! If you are staying up the Gunflint Trail you may be able to get food from the Loon's Nest Coffee or the general store at Trails Center Lodge!
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Closed toe shoes that can get wet
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray
Warm layer such as a sweatshirt or jacket
Rain gear
Water bottle
Swimsuit and towel
Change of dry clothes for after the tour
Lunch and snacks (no glass bottles or cans)
Fishing gear and permit (if fishing)
Camera
Small backpack to carry the above items
Cash to tip your guide (if desired)
Weather can change rapidly and varies dramatically based on elevation and time of day. Layering your clothing is the best way to go. Quick drying fabrics and insulation appropriate for the season are recommended.
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Due to the nature of our very small seasonal business, each booking includes a non-refundable deposit. This deposit is the cost of securing your tour date and time and there are no exceptions for refunding this cost for any reason of cancellation. This includes cancelling for any reason on your end and for any cancellation that is caused for circumstances out of our control.
The following is in regards to the remaining cost of your booking outside of the non-refundable deposit:
Once your tour is booked, the following policy applies. Tour cancellations within the specified time frames below will be refunded the corresponding amount, minus the non-refundable deposit and any booking or processing fees.
14+ days prior to tour date: full refund
3-13 days prior to tour date: 50% refunded
0-48 hours prior to tour date: no refund
NOTE: Day tours can be rescheduled in advance given availability. Please contact us for the possibility of rescheduling. If there is no availability, the cancellation policy applies. Credit of 50% of the cost of your trip after the non-refundable deposit can be applied to a trip in the future if a reschedule is not possible in the same season of your initial booking.
We reserve the right to cancel a tour at any time prior to or during the tour for any reason, including weather or other safety concerns.
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We will not operate a tour if weather conditions are dangerous.
However, light rain and cool weather is generally not considered dangerous. A day that starts off cool and foggy can quickly warm up to a perfect summer day. Please dress appropriately!
It will be at your guide’s discretion whether or not to operate a tour based on weather conditions.
If conditions are dangerous we will try to reschedule your tour. If we are unable to reschedule, you will receive full refund for your tour. Please try to book early in your trip so that if the weather causes us to reschedule we will be able to find a later date that works for you.
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Canoe day trips last approximately four to five and a half hours and leave from a variety of locations. A booking confirmation email will be sent after you complete your booking with information of when and where to meet, what to bring and where to sign the waiver. Our tours are typically private — though when someone is interested we have at times been able to combine groups.