BWCA Campsite 708 on Alder

this is a five-star campsite and we were thrilled to find it open on a beautiful august day in the park. perfect tent pads, plentiful hammock options, a stunning beach landing, and a majestic fire pit with lake views on three sides that we were unable to wash with flame. the fire ban was lifted during our visit but we didnt get the news until we crossed paths with a group on the bearskin portage (my buddy did text but i never connected to the satellite). they were also hoping for this gem and i was happy to tell them we had just left it in perfect condition and generously wood-gnomed. even the latrine is elite. there are ancient cedars and massive pines throughout the site and the peninsula out front had a big white pine that featured a big eagle and a small eagle duo that were almost always keeping watch over alder lake and our camp. also got a new lifer: a black-backed woodpecker! we took our four year old on his second bwca trip here and he got to do his first portage, catch some small mouth bass and explore the camp "looking for ghosts" at night (found a few friendly ones). we took a day trip to johnson falls and spent lots of time in the water soaking up the sunshine. if you are prioritizing swimming this site is perfect. yeah the site gets lots of use and yeah the bobber fishing in camp is limited by the shallow beach landing, but those are minor problems here in our moonrise kingdom. i had not been through alder in over a decade, and now rate this as one of my favorite lakes in the bwca, especially recommended for new paddlers or old voyaguers looking for an easy relaxing summertime destination. circle this one and hope the site is open when you glide around the point. happy paddling!

This site, unfortunately, is a classic example of overuse in the wilderness. In fact, I think I have seen it on Forest Service infographics about how stairs are built to combat erosion. It's a nice site, but has seen a lot of stays.

Campsite is set above the lake with a large built-up firepit. Nice gravel landing. The bay is shallow for quite a ways out. The site would be dusty when it is dry. It is open to the south, so no shade in the kitchen in the middle of the day. However, the tent pads are shaded. The two good tent pads are large. The other potential tent pads are pretty good, too.

Large open site with lots of room to spread out. Ok tarp spot and decent bear bag trees. Big fire pit, with a sitting log. Fire wood was scarce, but a trip into the cedar swamp to the northwest found plenty of down trees away from the shore line. Good landing and even the the water was colder and excellent swimming area. Landing is protected by a small peninsula.

This site offers great sunset views and breeze off the water. Lots of tarp/hammock options. The northern landing is very steep and rocky. There is a shallow and sheltered landing on the south side connected by an overgrown tail. One of our group still gashed their knee open here on a submerged rock–ending their trip on our second day.

One of the best sites I have been to. Great landing easy to get up to nice tent pad. Could I complain at all.

A lovely site just east of the little island. Lots of room Good landing. I had a nice tent spot...think there's more. Good trees for tarps. Visited by an otter family.