The Boundary Waters is famously canoe country and largely motor-free. However, there are some entry point lakes that allow motorboats, and outfitters have used this ability to provide paddlers with a head start through boat shuttling or towing services.
Getting a tow in the BWCA is a great way to get a head start on a long canoe trip. By hitching a ride with a motorboat, you can save a half day or more of paddling on the front end and quickly reach some of the remotest parts of the wilderness area.
How do outfitters tow canoes?
The canoe towing setup is usually a 12-foot long fishing boat with two racks upon which the canoes are secured overhead. Gear and paddlers are inside the boat and the tow service provider manages the motor. Here’s a video that shows what it looks like:
What does canoe towing cost?
The cost of towing your canoe party to a paddle-only drop-off point depends on how far you travel and how many canoes and people are in your party. On average, you’re looking at $25-$100 per person. Be sure to check the outfitter’s websites below for current pricing.
Where can I go with canoe towing?
Below is a nearly exhaustive list of all of the canoe towing services in the Boundary Waters.
| Outfitter/Service | Entry Point | Drop-off point |
| Lonnie Johnson | Moccasin Point, Lake Vermilion | Trout Lake |
| LaTourell’s Outfitters | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake (Indian Portage); Ensign Portage (Splash Lake); Basswood Lake (Washington Island and Back Bay) |
| Anderson’s | Crane Lake | Loon Lake; Lac La Croix; Bottle Portage; Quetico |
| Williams & Hall | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake (Indian Portage); Splash Lake (Ensign Portage); Basswood Lake truck portage (Back Bay, Lincoln Island) |
| Clearwater Lodge | Temporarily Suspended (check website) | |
| Seagull Outfitters | Saganaga Lake | Hook Island; American Point; Canadian Customs; Red Rock Portage; Saganaga Falls; Devil’s Walk Bay; Northern Light Rail Portage; Northern Light Rapids |
| Seagull Lake | Western tip of Three-Mile Island; North Bay | |
| Tuscarora Outfitters | Saganaga Lake | Hook Island/American Point; Red Rock Portage; Saganaga Falls |
| Voyageur North Outfitters | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake (Indian Portage); Splash Lake (Ensign Portage); Basswood Lake (Washington Island and Back Bay) |
| Burntside Lake | Crab Lake Portage | |
| Vermillion Lake | Trout Lake | |
| Lac La Croix Area | Customs (Sand Point); McAree; Maligne; Bottle Lakes; Snow Bay | |
| Voyageur Canoe Outfitters | Saganaga Lake (entry point 55) | American Point; Quetico Park (Hook Island); Red Rock; Sag Falls; Powell’s (Old Customs); Northern Light Rail; Northern Light Rapids; Powells Portage |
| Canoe Country Outfitters | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake; Ensign Portage (Splash Lake); Basswood Lake (Washington Island and Back Bay) |
| Spirit of the Wilderness | Moose Lake | Ensign Portage (Splash Lake); Birch Lake; Prairie Portage; Basswood Lake (all drop points); Snowbank (Boot Portage); Burntside Lake (Crab Lake Portage) |
| Willy Vosburgh | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake Portage; Indian Portage; Basswood Lake (Washington Island, Lincoln Island, and Back Bay) |
| Packsack Outfitters | Fall Lake | Newton Portage; Four Mile Portage; Top of Jackfish Bay (no motor zone) |
| Zup’s Resort | Crane Lake | Bottle Portage; McAree; Twin Falls; Tiger Bay Area; Lady Boot Bay; Anywhere on Lac La Croix |
| Cliff Wold’s | Moose Lake | Ensign Lake Portage; Birch Lake (Indian) Portage; Prairie Portage; Basswood Lake (Washington Island and Back Bay Portage) |
| Ely Outfitting | Moose Lake | Praire Portage; Birch Lake Portage; Ensign Lake (Splash Lake Portage); Basswood Lake (Washington Island) |
| Burntside Lake | Crab Lake Portage | |
| Piragis | Moose Lake | Prairie Portage; Birch Lake (Indian Portage); Ensign Portage (Splash Lake); Basswood Lake (Washington Island and Back Bay) |
| Burntside Lake | Crab Lake Portage | |
| Crane Lake | Lac La Croix | |
| Fall Lake | Jackfish Bay |