LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip

Experience the incredible Boundary Waters with others who identify as LGBTQ+. This trip is queer-guided and open exclusively to those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether this is your first time in a canoe or you’re an experienced paddler, you’ll have a ton of fun while traveling with other bold members of the LGBTQ+ community!

This adventure includes a fully outfitted and professionally guided four-day/three-night BWCAW canoe camping trip and is open to all who identify as LGBTQ+. You’ll be geared up with the best canoeing and camping equipment, right down to your comfy, freshly-laundered sleeping bag. All you need to bring are your clothes, and a thirst for adventure. Expect days of both travel and base-camping. On an optional layover day, we will rest, relax, explore and, if you’d like, fish. Each day will bring new experiences and sights that could include waterfalls, wildlife, towering old growth white pines, and beautiful Northwoods surroundings.

You will make new friends and meet interesting people. Our guests respect each other as individuals and work together and learn with one another as a team in a safe and supportive environment. Sign up by yourself, or bring along a friend. Expect to return home with new friends from the LGBTQ+ outdoors community, a deeper appreciation for the Boundary Waters, some great stories, and a new level of confidence in your outdoors skills.

Listen to the Boundary Waters Podcast featuring stories from one of our LGBTQ+ Wilderness canoe trips. Traveling in the Wilderness with fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community is a really special experience, and we hope you can join us. Ely Outfitting Company is a gay-owned business that supports diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. Ely Outfitting Company is also a supporter of the Outside Safe Space program founded by Mikah Meyer. The Outside Safe Space program promotes welcoming spaces in the outdoors community for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Details:
Dates: Aug. 23 – 27, 2023
Cost: $795/person. Financial assistance may be available based on need.
Maximum group size is eight participants.

Group orientation and packing will be on Aug. 23 at 3pm. The next morning, a shuttle will drop you and your canoes and gear at a Boundary Waters entry point near Ely, MN. The group will get off the water mid-afternoon on Aug. 27. Affordable lodging may be available in our bunkhouse for an additional $28 per person.

Click here for convenient online trip registration. When registering online, indicate your entry point is the LGBTQ+ Boundary Waters Trip, and provide your name in the Trip Leader field. Indicate the group size is “1” when registering for yourself. The deposit requirement for this trip is half of the trip price. Due to the extremely limited group size, the deposit is not refundable and not transferable to a different year. We suggest considering independent travel insurance due to the nonrefundable nature of this deposit. Final nonrefundable payment is due 30 days before the trip.