Almost every Boundary Waters trip stages out of one of four gateways. Which one you choose comes down to your entry point: Ely for the western Kawishiwi and Fall Lake corridors, Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail for the eastern lakes, and Tofte for the Sawbill Trail in the south.
Ely
The classic western gateway. Ely sits at the doorstep of the Kawishiwi and Fall Lake entry corridors and is the launch point for the Moose Lake chain toward Basswood and Knife.
Entry points reached from Ely
Where to stay in Ely
Top-rated places to stay near Ely
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Ely?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ely — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Grand Marais
The Lake Superior harbor town at the foot of the Gunflint Trail — the eastern gateway to Sea Gull, Saganaga, and the Brule and Sawbill entry lakes.
Where to stay in Grand Marais
Top-rated places to stay near Grand Marais
Gunflint Trail
The 57-mile scenic byway running northwest from Grand Marais into the heart of the eastern Boundary Waters, threading dozens of entry-point lakes and end-of-the-road outfitters.
Entry points reached from Gunflint Trail
Where to stay in Gunflint Trail
Top-rated places to stay near Gunflint Trail
Tofte
The North Shore gateway to the Sawbill Trail, which climbs to the Sawbill, Kelso, and Baker Lake entry points on the central-southern edge of the wilderness.
Entry points reached from Tofte
Where to stay in Tofte
Top-rated places to stay near Tofte
Keep exploring
Frequently Asked Questions
Ely is the most popular western base — closest to the Kawishiwi and Fall Lake entries and packed with outfitters. Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail serve the eastern entries (Sea Gull, Saganaga, Brule), and Tofte anchors the Sawbill Trail in the south. Pick the gateway nearest your entry point.
Ely is about 4.5 hours from the Twin Cities; Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail are closer to 4.75–6 hours depending on how far up the trail you go. Duluth, roughly halfway, is a common overnight stop.
No, but many first-timers use one. Outfitters in every gateway town rent canoes and gear, arrange tow service and permits, and provide route advice. Independent paddlers with their own gear can launch directly from the entry points.
Entry-point data: Recreation.gov / USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest. Lodging results via Stay22; LakeQuality may earn a commission.