Enjoy a Classic BWCA Canoe Trip with Friends and Family

Why have families and groups of friends been flocking to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for nearly a century to take a classic BWCA canoe trip? What is it about canoe Country that makes it so amazing?

The uniqueness of this incredible area is that it is the only place where people of all ages can safely share a true wilderness adventure over miles of canoe routes. Here they can spend time with each other without the myriad of distractions that fill our day-to-day lives. Where else can a group have time to visit around a campfire or in a canoe fishing for dinner?

Kids have a rare opportunity to experience camping and outdoor life just as it was experienced by the early native American and the Voyageur. There is something magical that comes when everyone works together to make this type of experience happen. It becomes a classic BWCA canoe adventure and not just another vacation.

Wilderness Base Camps Are A Great Option

One of the greatest challenges an outfitter in Canoe Country faces is trying to convince their visitors that often times, more is just more, not necessarily better. In other words, you don’t have to canoe a long distance to have a wonderful experience in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park.

Many of our guests will go into the woods, canoe a couple of lakes, do a couple portages, find a great campsite, and park there. This allows them to establish a comfortable camp and maximize their time relaxing, not just canoeing.

If you are a fisherman, this also allows you to spend a whole lot more time fishing. You never have to worry about finding a vacant campsite, having dry firewood, or getting the tent set up before dark. This type of canoe trip is perfect for families with young kids, seniors that don’t have sherpas, and fisherman that actually want more time to fish.

How Does a Classic BWCA Canoe Trip Work?

We have 50 years of experience at helping groups of friends and families make these trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness and Quetico Park happen. As the area's premier outfitter, we can provide complete outfitting of canoe camping gear. We will ask you a few questions that will help us better guide your planning. These are thoughts that you may want to discuss early in your planning. Ask yourself these questions:

First, how long do we want to be in the woods? Most groups will go for 5 to 7 days.
How much canoeing experience do we have? (ex: none. And that's ok)
What kind of trip do we want, i.e. do we want to move camps each day; or do we want to have a more restful trip and stay at one or two campsites and explore from there? How much paddling and portaging are you up for?
Do we want or need ultra-light equipment?
Is fishing a big part of the trip?
Route options, entry points and forest service entry permits and reservation fees
Food choices
Weather and Time of year
Most importantly, what date do we want to start the trip?

Have Questions? Contact Williams and Hall Outfitters.

Based on your response to these questions, we will help you select and reserve the appropriate entry permit. Once we have a permit, we will help your group leader and you with all the other details. Our location, equipment, and facilities make it easy to pull off a classic trip to Canoe Country. Pricing Information can be found here.

Family Outdoor Vacation, We Make It Easy

Our office is open 7 days a week to answer any questions and accommodate any concerns you may have.

Our location outside of Ely, MN is perfect for the start of your trip. Being on Moose Lake allows you to get a serious head start on parties serviced by other outfitters located 20 miles away. You can get up, have breakfast, walk down a flight of stairs and you are ready to go.

Our facilities are perfect for canoe trips. We have a 110-bed lodge to accommodate first and last night stays. And, we have a tremendous dining room that serves a wonderful breakfast and dinner every day.

We have all the gear, food, and light-weight Kevlar canoes that you need right at our post. We will help you choose the right outfitting package.

Our transportation assets are perfect to assist you. You can arrange to have one of our shuttle boats drop you off and pick you up from your first/last wilderness portage. If you have a permit that requires vehicle drop off, one of our vans can easily deliver you to your starting point.

Our 50 years of experience is the most important asset we can share with you. This business has been here on the shores of Moose Lake since 1963. We know the area and we know canoeing. We are the ultra-lightweight specialists with a fleet of Kevlar and aluminum canoes.

Our Pledge

Our pledge is to help you and your family have a fun and safe trip. We are a family-owned business that is focused on service to our customers.

Contact Us Today for Our Free Family Canoe Trip Planning DVD

At Williams and Hall we want you to have an amazing Boundary Waters experience. We have a great DVD that shows family planning and taking a canoe trip. Contact us or Give us a call at 218-365-5837 to obtain your free copy, and let's start your family's Boundary Waters Vacation!