Boundary Waters: Lake One day loop

Put in at the Lake One landing, entry point 30, off the Fernberg Road east of Ely. Fill in your free day permit at the kiosk, then follow the short channel out into Lake One. The line runs south down the lake between granite shores and pines, threading between islands to the far end, where the Kawishiwi River leaves the lake and portages lead on towards Lake Two. It then loops west round a cluster of wooded islands in the south basin and comes back up the lake to the landing, with no portages at all.

It is 8.1 miles (13 km) round; allow about 3 hours in a canoe or kayak and 3¾ on a paddleboard. The grade is Moderate: nearly all of it is open lake, though you are never more than about 650 ft (200 m) from land. Lake One is a maze of bays and islands, so carry a map and compass or a GPS and keep track of where you are.

Groups are limited to nine people and four boats, and cans and glass bottles are banned in the wilderness. Minnesota law requires you to clean off plants, drain all water and pull the drain plug before leaving any access. Wildfires closed much of the wilderness in July 2026; Lake One has reopened, but check the Forest Service alerts before you go. Wear a life jacket and check the conditions before you set off.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.