Rating:
Good Tent Pads:
1
Max Tent Pads:
2
Visit Date:
5/22/2026
This is in a Primitive Management Area, so there are no maintained campsites or portages. That said, this is one of the easier PMA areas to access. The portage is fairly obvious from the Trader Lake side, and it is close to the portage to Missionary Lake, so it would be easy to confuse the two if you are not paying attention. The campsite appears to be right on the portage trail as you near Explorer Lake, though since there are no designated campsites, this is my best guess about what people are using.
As you start descending toward Explorer Lake, there is an area off to the right that can fit one tent pad. I walked along the north shore, and this seemed like the best place to put a tent on that side of the lake. The water access is straight down the hill, so there is a climb between the lake and the tent pad. Because this is a PMA, there is no maintained fire grate, and any fire ring would need to be dismantled and cleaned up afterward. I did not find a fire ring, though I did see some charred logs back in the woods.
The tent pad is in a grassy clearing and comfortably fits one tent, with room for two at most. Compared with normal BWCA campsites this is limited, but for a PMA campsite it is one of the better options I have seen.
Rating:
Good Tent Pads:
2
Max Tent Pads:
Visit Date:
6/15/2016
Great view with a good dry tent pad on top of the hill. Bit of a steep climb to get into camp. Remnants of a campsite were found. PMA area so no latrine or fire pit. Please keep this area clean and respectful by leaving no trace.
