The easiest way into the central wilderness from the North Shore. A short first portage from Sawbill drops you onto Alton, an ideal base camp with dozens of campsites and gentle day-trip options.
- End-of-the-road Sawbill Trail put-in
- Base-camp friendly
- Great for families and first solos
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 | Sawbill Lake | Cook | C | 6.6 ft |
| 2 | Alton Lake | Cook | B | 13.5 ft |
Every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury advisory — see eating your catch.
Where to stay for the Sawbill & Alton
Base your trip in Tofte — outfitters, cabins, and lodging near the Sawbill Lake.
Top-rated places to stay near Tofte
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's rated beginner and typically takes 2–3 days covering roughly ~10 miles. The easiest way into the central wilderness from the North Shore. A short first portage from Sawbill drops you onto Alton, an ideal base camp with dozens of campsites and gentle day-trip options.
At Entry Point 38 (Sawbill Lake), which releases 11 permits per day. Reserve it through Recreation.gov during the May–September quota season.
The lakes on this route — Sawbill Lake, Alton 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.