I always thought that canoe camping made sense because you didn’t have to carry everything on your back. That’s true for a river trip, but if you do portage a chain of lakes like in the Boundary Waters/Quetico, then you’d best plan on doing some walking, too.

Philosophy

Keep it simple for both plans and equipment. If you already camp, you can use most of the things that you already have. Just take what’s needed. Keep the trip doable and enjoyable for all parties.

Keep it safe. Be aware of your limits in strength, both mental and physical. A three-mile portage through almost trail-less bogs might not be fun for you. Don’t let someone tell you that it is.

Keep it repeatable. Some of my best trips are ones I have done before. Sure, I like to see new things, but as the Zen saying goes, “You can never cross the same river twice.”

Equipment

Lightness is still important, especially if there are a lot of portages or they are long, but you can still carry some “creature comforts.” In addition to your normal camping gear, you need the following for canoe camping:

Group equipment

• Backpacks. Waterproof Duluth packs are nice but regular framed packs with lots of plastic bags and stuff sacks do just fine.

• One 50-foot length of parachute cord for each canoe.

• One Eddy-Redy, WWR or other Fling Rescue bag per canoe. And practice throwing them before you go.

• Extra paddles.

• One repair kit for the canoes, and one for personal items. I am a firm believer in duct tape, locking pliers and aluminum wire.

• Bungie cords for holding things down. They’re better than rope since they can be done/undone quickly in an emergency.

• Bailing sponge.

• Candles or folding lantern (nice but not necessary).

• Well stocked first-aid kit.

• A EpiPen or other epinephrine medicine.

• One set of waterproof maps for each canoe/person.

• Forget the hatchet and take a couple folding saws for getting firewood.

Individual equipment

In addition to your regular camp clothes, toilet kit and sleeping stuff, you need the following:

• PFD. Vest type with big arm holes.

• Sandals or tennis shoes for in the boat, wading, short portages.

• Hiking boots if there are a lot of long portages.

• Camp shoes.

• One nylon sweat suit for cool mornings/evenings. They are easy to take off when the sun comes up after an early start and they act as a pretty good wind breaker.

• Rainsuit.

• 1 sun hat, 1 cool weather hat.

• Knife. You honestly can’t beat an all-in-one style.

Hint: Nylon will dry in an instant compared to cotton.

Fanny pack

• Keep this accessible. Sunglasses, extra optical glasses and floating security strap.

• Flashlight. I have one with a built-in solar charger.

• Map and compass.

• Butane lighter, candle, fire starter.

• Energy bars.

• Emergency blanket

Optional and entertaining stuff

• Secret treats for everyone.

• Thermos for taking coffee or hot water with you for the day.

• Small barometer and thermometer for settling weather disputes.

• GPS unit. Some of the newer models even have regional maps.

• Games and books for down time.

Food

You can go with the freeze-dried stuff, but frankly, I have never been impressed with the quality of food for the money you pay. The Prepared Foods section of your grocery has a plethora of good things to eat. Pasta, beans and rices are staple dry goods. For your dry beans, boil water in the morning and put beans and water into a wide-mouth thermos. During the day, the beans will soften and semi-cook. By evening, they will be ready to mix with other ingredients.

After cutting out the instructions, discard any excess packaging and put the food with the instructions in zipper-sealed plastic bags. Premix things like instant pudding/dry milk before you go. Liquids, such as oil or syrup, should be in plastic containers inside zipper-sealed bags. It is amazing how hard packing/unpacking and portaging are on the contents of packs. Some people like plastic food containers for foods, but the problem is that even when empty, you still have the bulk.

The trip

Start out short, easy and simple. Don’t over-plan it and plan with the least common denominator/person in mind. You don’t want to turn off neo-trippers with a 10-day Quetico (Canada) trip when a two- or three-day Sylvania (Ottawa National Forest, Mich.) will ease them into these adventures. As with all outdoor activities: make the plan, do the plan. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get back, and then follow through.

When you mention canoe camping, the Quetico and Boundary Waters instantly come to mind, but you do not have to go that far to have a good float trip. Sylvania is on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan just north of Eagle River. It is largely untouched although not undiscovered. Manitowish River in the Northern Highland State Forest, the Oconto and the Peshtigo are three rivers that have camping on U.S. Forest Service land, state and private. Prairie River north of Merrill is overlooked but is an easy float with good trout fishing and a couple of private camping areas. And finally, almost the entire Wisconsin River from Eagle River downstream has enjoyable canoe camping along many stretches. Island camping is permissible, but shore land is usually private—and that’s trespassing.

You do not have to have a 42-pound Kevlar canoe filled with ultra-light equipment from REI to go tripping. Most anything that floats and will hold your gear will get you on some type of water, and being on water is always better than walking.

For more insight and tips on how to make the most of the time you spend outdoors this season, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.