Snowbank Lake Loop
3–5days on the water
A true loop that never repeats water, circling from deep, clear Snowbank through Disappointment and Ensign.
- Snowbank clarity
- A loop — no backtracking
- Lake trout water
The route
Lakes on the route are mapped; the entry point is ringed in dark. Toggle the portage layer to see the carries.
The water you'll paddle
| # | Lake | County | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snowbank Lake | Lake | 15.1 ft |
| 2 | Disappointment Lake | Lake | 13.5 ft |
| 3 | Parent Lake | Lake | 18 ft |
| 4 | Ensign Lake | Lake | 10 ft |
Every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury advisory — see eating your catch.
Notable portages near this route
| Portage | Rods | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Vera Ensign | 151 | 0.47 |
| Trident Ensign | 112 | 0.35 |
| Birch Frog | 104 | 0.33 |
| Snowbank Trail | 82 | 0.26 |
| Frog Trident | 74 | 0.23 |
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 Snowbank Lake Loop
Base your trip in Ely — outfitters, cabins, and lodging near the Snowbank Lake.
Top-rated places to stay near Ely
Prices for Oct 23–25, 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 ~22 miles. A true loop that never repeats water, circling from deep, clear Snowbank through Disappointment and Ensign.
At Entry Point 27 (Snowbank Lake), which releases 8 permits per day. Reserve it through Recreation.gov during the May–September quota season.
The lakes on this route, Snowbank Lake, Disappointment Lake, Parent Lake, Ensign Lake, have nutrient, algae and clarity readings on record from state and federal monitoring, shown below. Remember that every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury fish-consumption advisory regardless of clarity.