Outfitting June 1 - September 1
Camp Voyageur is ideally located in the Superior National Forest on a beautiful peninsula on Farm Lake near Ely, Minnesota. Since 1951 Camp Voyageur has provide outdoors enthusiasts with a variety of recreational opportunities on the intricate waterways of northern Minnesota and Canada. Come spend time with us in the northwoods paddling through the pristine wilderness and crystal clear lakes the French Voyageurs called home. Whatever your goals or interests are from fighting a northern pike, to watching loons dance against a spectacular sunset or paddling with family and friends let Camp Voyageur help you make your northwoods dreams come true.

Camp Voyageur was founded in 1951 by Charlie and Mim Erdmann. Their son John and daughter Deb now carry on the tradition of providing complete and partial outfitting, or specialized guided trips canoeing, hiking or sea kayaking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We can also tailor the perfect group retreat for your organization or students.

Adventure

• Fishing: Tie into a lunker! Minnesota and Canada are famous for abundant game fish. Walleye, bass and northern pike are excellent fried as a shore dinner.
• Wildlife: Beaver, moose, bear and bald eagles are common in the area so be sure to bring your camera, sketch pad or an observant eye.
• Hiking: If hiking is your interest explore the well-marked trails around the lakes and through the Boundary Waters.
• History: Our area is rich in history. Rock lined shores echo the folklore of days gone by. Only primitive cliff paintings remain from when the Chippewa Indians were masters of the lake country. Gusting winds sing songs of the fur traders who paddles these lakes in huge canoes packed with precious cargo bound for Europe. Broken dams, deadheads and mossy stumps, log rings still pepper the woods as reminders of the lumber industry in the late 1800`s.
• Canoe from our dock for the day or for hundreds of miles along the border lakes into the Boundary Waters or the Canadian interior. If you're less ambitious, just paddle to an isolated bay on the Kawishiwi River. Our unique location offers endless possibilities for the veteran and novice alike. We paddle 17` Grumman canoes, but also have Royalex and Kevlar canoes available for an additional charge.

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
• In popular areas:
  • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In pristine areas:
  • Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
  • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises