Free Boundary Waters Guidebook

Stuck inside somewhere waiting to be released, dreaming of adventures on the 1000s of lakes in northern Minnesota after they thaw or just someone who loves paddling? Then there’s a new free Boundary Waters guidebook for you. The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness released The Friends’ Guide to the BWCA.

The new guidebook is a free ebook available for download on The Friends’ website. If you don’t know the Boundary Waters, then you’re in for a treat. It’s a great treat, because these types of books usually run much more. For example, Exploring the Boundary Waters: A Trip Planner and Guide to the BWCAW runs $16. You can get The Friends’ Guide to the BWCA for free. That’s a free guidebook to the Boundary Waters, and it’s more up-to-date than our BWCA Primer.

What does the Boundary Waters Guidebook Cover?

It covers a bunch of different topics including what the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is, how to plan a trip, what do do before you go, The Friends’ suggestion on what to bring, what to eat and drink when there, how to paddle and portage, what to do in camp and how to stay safe in a million-acre wilderness area. It also includes links to BWCA outfitters and other resources. The book opens with one of my photos on the table of contents, so check that picture out. The book has a simple layout. It’s easy to follow and read on an electronic device such as your laptop or tablet. I’m planning on publishing a ebook about canoe and kayak photography and hope it looks this good.

Covered Routes

Inside you’ll find a few suggested routes. Included is one of my favorite routes that links Mountain Lake, Rose Lake Duncan, Clearwater and PIne. There’s a shorter version of this route where you portage off of Mountain into the Pike Lakes for those that don’t want to do the Long Portage. If you want more routes to compliment this book, then I’d recommend picking up Robert Beymer’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Eastern Region and his Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region. I happen to live on the eastern side of the Boundary Waters and think it is the best area, so if you are looking at coming on a first trip consider entering through the Grand Marais area. You’ll also be able to visit the coolest town in Minnesota if you do.

While you are on The Friends’ website, don’t forget to donate. They do a great job of providing resources for paddlers and protecting the Boundary Waters. We need wild places like the BWCA now more than ever, and we need them protected.