The ultimate packing list for your BWCAW canoe trip
Some items may be available for purchase in our retail shop.
Clothing and personal items list
ClothingNote: Cotton fabric does not insulate when wet and can be very difficult to dry on trail. |
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| Reliably waterproof rain jacket and rain pants. Ponchos are discouraged. | |
| 1 or 2 light weight long-sleeved shirts (at least one made of nylon or poly) | |
| 1 warm non-cotton long-sleeved top (fleece, poly, or wool). | |
| 1 or 2 t-shirts (at least one non cotton) | |
| 2 pairs of non-cotton (nylon or quick dry) pants. Jeans are discouraged. | |
| 1 pair of shorts | |
| Swimsuit | |
| 2 pairs of quality wool socks for traveling. Wool keeps your feet warmer and more comfortable than cotton, especially when wet. For trips longer than three days, add extra pairs of wool socks. | |
| 1 pair of cotton or wool socks for camp | |
| 1 pair of non-cotton long underwear tops and bottoms | |
| Extra underwear | |
Footwear |
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| Wet shoes. These will be wet while canoeing and portaging. Old sneakers generally work well. Hiking boots with good ankle support for portaging work well, but keep in mind that they will get totally submerged. Flip flops, crocs, or open-toed sandals are discouraged. During cool conditions, some people prefer to wear knee-high rubber boots with an aggressive tread to keep their feet dry. | |
| Dry shoes. These are your lightweight camp shoes. Tennis shoes, heavy duty closed-toe sandals, boat shoes, or moccasins work well. | |
Headwear |
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| Hat with wide brim for sun protection | |
| Bandanna (wear it around your neck doused in bug spray, and wet it to cool off on a hot day) | |
| Non-cotton knit or fleece warm hat | |
Accessories |
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| Sunscreen and lip balm, both with SPF protection | |
| Sunglasses and lanyard | |
| Lanyard for your prescription eyeglasses | |
| Insect repellent. (1) DEET is an effective insect repellent for use on skin and clothing. 25% to 35% DEET is the recommended concentration. Higher concentrations damage equipment and are not significantly more effective. (2) Treating clothing (not skin) with permethrin repels insects, and is particularly effective at repelling ticks. (3) Mesh head nets (optional, but often appreciated during the peak bug season months of May, June and July). More bug management tips are here. |
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| Toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, and dental floss | |
| Small bottle of hand sanitizer | |
| Personal hygiene products | |
| Prescription medication | |
| Small hand towel or washcloth | |
| Waterproof camera, or a non-waterproof camera with water protection | |
| Lightweight reading material, paper, and pencil | |
Equipment |
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| Small flashlight or headlamp with good batteries | |
| Multitool or pocketknife. Multitool pliers are excellent for fish hook removal. | |
| Fishing rods, tackle, fillet knife, and license. Click here for our suggested fishing tackle list. | |
| First-aid kit (our guides carry the group first-aid kit on professionally guided trips) | |
Canoe Trip Gear List
Our Complete Outfitting Package includes these items.
| Ultralight canoes (with portage pads) | |
| Paddles | |
| Life vests | |
| Detailed waterproof navigation maps | |
| Navigation compass | |
| Lightweight backcountry tent | |
| Waterproof rain tarp (ie, dining canopy), with attached rope | |
| BWCA-approved food (no cans or glass bottles) | |
| Food pack | |
| Specialized portage packs for gear, clothing, and personal items | |
| Sleeping bags | |
| Inflatable sleeping pads | |
| Therm-A-Rest compressible trail pillow | |
| Cook kit with pots, fry pan, plates, bowls, cups | |
| Coffee press, or coffee pot | |
| Utensils, including forks, spoons, knives, serving spoon, spatula and ladle | |
| Cook grate and trowel (Quetico only; BWCA campsites have fire grates and latrines) |
| Water treatment or water filter | |
| At least one water bottle per person | |
| Camp stove and fuel | |
| Crazy Creek camp chairs (also work for canoeing back support) | |
| Toilet paper | |
| Hand sanitizer | |
| Folding bucket (for doing dishes and dousing the campfire) | |
| Dish cleaning kit including biodegradable soap, sponge, abrasive cleaning pad (SOS pad), and non-scratch pot scraper | |
| 50′ of utility cord (handy for a clothes line, extra guyline, securing a canoe, etc.) | |
| Matches and lighter | |
| Bear rope system for hanging food out of reach of bears | |
| Trail saw | |
| Compact trail hammock | |
| Straps for safe, simple, and tree-friendly hanging of hammocks | |
| Small roll of duct tape |
Optional Comfort Items
These are available to rent individually, and are not included in outfitting packages.
| Compact and lightweight camping chair with legs | |
| BugOut waterproof tarp with mesh sides to escape from the bugs |