The Angleworm Trail is a 13-mile loop through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota's Superior National Forest, and one of the few ways to see the BWCAW without a canoe. This primitive trail winds through dense stands of red and white pine, climbs over rocky ridges with wide overlooks, and traces the shorelines of three lakes: Angleworm, Home, and Whiskey Jack. Most BWCAW visitors paddle; here you cover the same country on foot.
The trail is best suited to experienced backpackers comfortable with rough terrain, primitive conditions, and navigation through unmarked sections. Expect continuous elevation changes, technical rocky stretches along the lake shores, and at least one significant beaver dam crossing that can leave you wet. In exchange you get real solitude: on a busy summer weekend in the BWCAW, you might see dozens of canoes and no other hikers.
Overnight visitors from May 1 to September 30 must obtain a quota permit through Recreation.gov. Permits go on sale at 9:00 AM Central Time on the last Wednesday of January for the entire season, and popular dates can fill within hours. The permit is specific to Entry Point 21 (Angleworm Lake Trail) and your entry date; neither can be changed once booked.
Permit fees include a $6 non-refundable reservation fee plus overnight user fees (minimum $32 for two adults). From October 1 through April 30, free self-issue permits are available at the trailhead kiosk with no reservation needed.
Group size is limited to 9 people maximum, and you cannot join up with other groups once in the wilderness, even briefly. From April 1 to November 30, all food, scented items (soap, toothpaste, lip balm), and trash must be either hung 12 feet high and 6 feet from tree trunks OR stored in an IGBC-certified bear canister. Standard blue barrels are NOT bear-resistant and must be hung. Gas stoves are always permitted; wood fires may be banned during dry conditions (check current restrictions before your trip). Violating the food storage rules carries a $50 fine.
For current regulations and permit reservations, visit the Superior National Forest BWCAW permits page.
May through October is the primary hiking season, but timing dramatically changes the trip. Late August through September is the sweet spot: bugs are largely gone, fall colors begin in early September and peak by late September, temperatures are comfortable for hiking, and water sources remain reliable.
May to mid-June brings the worst of the bugs. Black flies emerge around Memorial Day and peak in early June, overlapping with mosquitoes in a "pincer maneuver" by mid-June. If you hike during this window, bring a head net and accept that breaks will be brief. On the plus side there is abundant water, lush greenery, and fewer hikers.
July to mid-August sees bugs drop to manageable levels (mainly at dawn and dusk), warm weather, and peak permit competition. This is when you are most likely to find campsites occupied.
Late September through October brings strong fall color in the birch and aspen groves, crisp weather, and near-total solitude, with free self-issue permits starting October 1. Snow can arrive by late October. Winter camping is possible for experienced cold-weather backpackers, though navigation gets harder and the beaver dam crossing is treacherous on ice.
Water is abundant along the route. After the first 2 miles, you reach Angleworm Lake, followed by Home Lake and Whiskey Jack Lake. All three lakes are reliable water sources year-round. Spring Creek, which you pass before reaching the lakes, is unreliable due to beaver activity and should not be counted on.
Treat all water. Giardia is present in the BWCAW, particularly near beaver activity. Use a filter rated for 1 micron or less, which removes both Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Popular options include the Sawyer Squeeze, Platypus GravityWorks, and MSR filters. Boiling works but is slow. Chemical treatments (iodine, chlorine) are not fully effective against Giardia.
No resupply is possible mid-trail, so carry all food for your trip. Ely (17 miles from the trailhead) has full grocery stores and an outdoor outfitter for last-minute gear. Plan on no cell service from the trailhead onward.
Beaver dam crossing: The trail's most notorious obstacle is a beaver dam crossing on the southeastern section, where the trail crosses a marsh. The crossing is unavoidable and often means wet feet. The dam can be unstable, and hikers sometimes sink into soft sections. Some trip reports suggest hiking clockwise so that if you get soaked, you are only 4 miles from the trailhead instead of 10. After the dam, navigate through the marsh with map and compass to find the trail resuming up a steep rock face.
Navigation: The trail is poorly marked, with no blazes or signs. Cairns mark some sections, but spur trails to campsites and portages create confusion. Download offline maps (USGS topos or GPS tracks) and bring a compass. Map and compass skills are essential, particularly in the marsh sections.
Rocky, technical terrain: Much of the trail follows rocky lakeshores with continuous ups and downs. Roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces make this ankle-twisting ground. Waterproof boots with ankle support are strongly recommended, and trekking poles help immensely.
Wildlife: Black bears are present but rarely seen; follow the food storage rules. Moose are common and can be aggressive, especially cows with calves, so give them plenty of room. Wolves are present but extremely shy. No venomous snakes live in the BWCAW.
Weather exposure: Several ridgeline sections have wide views but leave you exposed to weather. Thunderstorms can develop quickly in summer; get off high points when storms threaten. There is no cell service for weather updates.
Wildfire: The BWCAW allows natural fires to burn when safe. In 2024, nearly 30,000 acres burned in Superior National Forest. Campfire bans are implemented during dry periods (as happened in fall 2024). Violating a fire ban can bring a $10,000 fine and 6 months in jail. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip.
From Ely, Minnesota, drive north on Highway 169 for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Highway 88/Grant McMahan Boulevard and continue 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Echo Trail (County Road 116), a well-maintained gravel road, and drive 12.7 miles to the signed Angleworm Lake parking lot on your right. Total distance from Ely: approximately 17 miles, 25 minutes.
Ely is the nearest town with services. The closest major airport is Duluth International (DLH), about 2-2.25 hours south. Ely Shuttle (218-349-1383, elyshuttle@gmail.com) runs from Duluth for $225 one-way for 2 people ($450 round-trip, cash/check only). Allied Taxi in Duluth (218-722-3311) charges about $220 one-way. Arrowhead Transit (1-800-862-0175) operates public bus service between Duluth and Ely.
The trailhead has a parking lot with no fee. Cell service is unreliable, so download directions before leaving Ely. The Echo Trail is passable for standard vehicles; high clearance is not required.
Direction strategy: Many backpackers recommend going clockwise so you hit the beaver dam crossing early, while you are fresh and still close to the trailhead if gear gets soaked. Counterclockwise saves the northern campsites (often considered the best) for the second night.
Campsite selection: The three campsites on the northern end of Angleworm Lake are popular and scenic. Whiskey Jack Lake's campsite is small but well-situated and makes a quiet second night. The Home Lake campsites see less traffic. All campsites have fire rings and are limited to 9 people. Arrive at camp early (by 3-4 PM) to secure a site on busy weekends.
Pacing: Most backpackers average 2 mph including breaks because of the rough terrain. Budget 6-7 hours for the full loop as a day hike, or split it into two comfortable days of 6-7 miles each.
Waterproof everything: The beaver dam crossing, marshy sections, and afternoon thunderstorms make waterproofing critical. Use dry bags for sleeping bags, electronics, and clothing. Expect wet feet.
Download offline maps: Cell service ends at the trailhead, and the trail is poorly marked, so offline GPS tracks or detailed USGS topos are essential rather than optional. Many hikers use BWCAW-specific maps or apps with downloaded trail data.
Fall colors: Early to mid-September gives the best combination of fall colors, manageable bugs, and comfortable temperatures. The mixed forest of birch, aspen, and conifers turns in strong contrasts.
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