Mudro to the Horse River Loop
3–5days on the water
A quieter western loop through the Fourtown–Horse chain. More portages and marshy stretches than the Ely corridor, but far fewer people and excellent fishing.
- Solitude close to Ely
- The Horse River meander
- Loop route, no backtracking
The route
Lakes on the route are colored by water-quality grade; the entry point is ringed in dark. Toggle the portage layer to see the carries.
The water you'll paddle
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mudro Lake | St. Louis | NR | — |
| 2 | Fourtown Lake | Lake | NR | 7 ft |
| 3 | Horse Lake | Lake | NR | 7 ft |
| 4 | Tin Can Mike Lake | Lake | NR | 11 ft |
| 5 | Sandpit Lake | Lake | NR | 14 ft |
Every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury advisory — see eating your catch.
Notable portages near this route
| Portage | Rods | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Range River Winter Trail | 125 | 0.39 |
Named portages within ~3 km of the route. Source: OpenStreetMap contributors. Carry a detailed paddling map for the full portage sequence.
Where to stay for the Mudro to the Horse River Loop
Base your trip in Ely — outfitters, cabins, and lodging near the Mudro Lake.
Top-rated places to stay near Ely
Prices for Sep 4–6, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's rated intermediate and typically takes 3–5 days covering roughly ~20 miles. A quieter western loop through the Fourtown–Horse chain. More portages and marshy stretches than the Ely corridor, but far fewer people and excellent fishing.
At Entry Point 23 (Mudro Lake), which releases 5 permits per day. Reserve it through Recreation.gov during the May–September quota season.
The lakes on this route — Mudro Lake, Fourtown Lake, Horse Lake, Tin Can Mike Lake, Sandpit Lake — carry our A–F water-quality grades, shown below. Remember that every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury fish-consumption advisory regardless of clarity.