BWCA Covid, Crowding and Canada

Greetings to all our Canoe Country friends. Hope all you Fathers out there enjoyed a great Fathers Day. We thought it would be timely and helpful to provide you with a short update from the shores of Moose Lake. Let’s talk about COVID, Crowding and Canada.

BWCA COVID Update

First, COVID. This will most likely be the last we have to say on this subject. As with many of you, this past year has been a trying time for us individually and as a business. 

We have followed all guidelines and restrictions that were applicable to our operation. It was not always convenient, for sure, but we did what was asked. And along with you, we have poked our heads out of the tunnel on the other end. 

We are happy to report that Minnesota’s Governor Waltz issued Executive Order 21-21 on May 6th and Executive Order 21-23 on May 14th effectively removing all business restrictions with respect to our operation.  It is certainly welcome news here. 

A New Normal at Williams and Hall Outfitters

I must admit that we have adopted some of the COVID requirements as the “new normal.” They are a better way of doing business and provide our guests with a better, safer experience. 

Examples of this are better ways to clean. New products that do a better job of keeping us germ free and spotless. Using hand sanitizer as a matter of course.  

New procedures for garbage and trash control and handling. So, we think that we have benefited and improved, as a result, of the guidelines we were required to live with. 

Thanks to all our guests who have helped us get through the pandemic. We appreciate your patience and want you to know that the linens are back on the beds!  

Avoiding Crowds in the Boundary Waters

Second, Crowding.  As you can see in the picture, we are having lots of folks coming and going here in the BWCA. Why? 

Well, because it’s a really cool place to visit, and people all over are sick of being couped up the past year. This is a common experience across the nation, as National Parks and public campgrounds are filled should you attempt to make reservations.

In our case this is aggravated by the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, just across the border, remaining closed to US guests.  More on this later. 

As social media sites bemoan how many people are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness and how people cannot find campsites, allow me to provide some context. 

BWCA Entry Permits

First, there are only so many BWCA entry permits per entry point per day. Once they are gone (and they have been gone for quite a while now), they are history and there are no more.

The quotas were carefully developed to meet the travel model’s objective of providing a good experience for wilderness visitors while simultaneously protecting the wilderness.

So why the crowding you properly ask?  Well, we are having day after day of all the permits being used. So, there are the maximum amount of folks entering the Boundary Waters every day, and there are a lot of these folks that do not want to paddle far, do not want to portage, want to sleep in a, not leave the camp site until lunchtime, and then look for a camp in the late afternoon or evening. .

Unfortunately, covid or no covid, in the middle of the summer, you just can’t be looking for a site on an entry lake late in the day. This is nothing new. During previous years they could have gotten away with this plan. Not now!

Go Beyond the First BWCA Entry Lake

This past Wednesday evening, we were summoned to the Birch Lake portage in the evening to retrieve a guest that had decided to set a hook into his finger and wanted to go to the ER to have it looked at.  It was nearly 8pm and another family group (not our guests) of 6 showed up at the portage looking pretty exhausted.

They told a woeful tale of finding no campsites on Birch Lake and that they were spent. We were able to direct them to an empty camp site just around the corner and put them out of their misery. Why were they looking for a site at that time of day? 

Now, I ask you, could this have been prevented? Right?  A simple strategy. On days you are going to travel, get up early and travel. Select your site about the time all these lazy folks are just getting going.

You will have no trouble finding a site, even on the entry lakes, like Birch. After all, there are 1,200 miles of canoe routes to choose from, along plenty of designated camp sites.

The other great strategy is to travel into the woods further. Our returning guests that actually got out of the entry lakes and ventured a tad deeper into the woods, had no problem finding sites. 

A Little BWCA Route Planning Helps Avoid Crowds

A little more effort is greatly rewarded. We can help you come up with a good BWCA route plan when you get here. Don’t be deterred by all the stories, just come armed with a good plan.

The Canadian Border Situation

Finally, Canada.  What can I say? I am not privy to the political machinations that must be going on between Washington and Ottawa. Whatever they are, the net result is a closed border and a can that is just continually being kicked down the road. 

It was announced a couple days ago that the border is to remain closed another month until July 21st, when again the issue will be reviewed. 

However, we have been informed that a “cross border commission” has been established to study what can be done to resolve the issue. I certainly sleep better now.  

My take, this is a bunch of junk that has everything to do with politics and very little to do with COVID and public safety.  We wait. We will keep everyone updated.  

Paddle On. Be Free.