North by Canoe

01/25/2026

Humans need to reclaim the gifts of our senses and the physical environment, and enable the two of them to touch each other’s total being. We need to know the coolness of rain without fear of catching pneumonia. To revel in the challenge of waves and hunger without panic; to feel the direct warmth of a wood fire without turning up the thermostat. To know weather directly, as wind and rain, sun and clouds not as a program at 10:15 each evening on TV.
As soon as our senses begin to touch nature, two gifts meeting, a most exciting event take place! The concept of wonder enters our total being. We wonder at huge lakes filled without a pump, at a dainty stream proud to be dainty, how twigs know when to stop growing, and how root hairs mine minerals and water and send them up to the twigs. Wonder asks us to stand motionless, sit in silence or even kneeling in awe is appropriate. Wonder allows us to see the common thread which binds us all together.
John Goutcher

01/17/2026

Happy New Year Paddlers!!! I hope your 2026 is blue skies with the wind at your back!! The canoeing season is fast approaching. Permits will be available at the end of the month. Have you put together a crew to head into the BWCA this summer? Don't forget your permit. If you need any help with trips, planning or guiding, get hold of us!! We will be glad to assist in any way!! Who is ready to go??

08/13/2025

Just getting caught up on life after a trip. Here are photos from the Meiners Family Trip to Seagull Lake.

08/02/2025

Loaded up ready to go!! Off to the BWCA for a few days!!

06/24/2025

Giving a shout out to Jeff McNiff of Austin, MN who makes these wonderful portage signs. I came across Jeff a few years ago looking for a gift to give to a fellow bow-mate of mine to celebrate their love and appreciation of their time in the BWCA. I have acquired more since that first one for myself and other friends. Jeff does a great job and is rather speedy to get your sign to you. If you are looking for a momento of a trip or gift to someone, contact Jeff for a great product and a very reasonable price.

02/28/2025

The new year has begun and permits are available. Many of you have had thoughts of taking a trip into the BWCA. The hardest part is taking the first step. North By Canoe is here is help you with the first step. Where do we go? When is a good time to go? How can we get a permit? Where do we rent canoes and equipment? What foods do we take along with our group? There are so many questions to answer and we can help you with the answers.
North By Canoe has 30+ years of experience of taking trips into the BWCA and would love to meet and assist you with those first steps. Drop a message with your questions and thoughts on going into the BWCA. We would love to help you enjoy the all the wilderness has to offer.

01/10/2025

Happy New Year!!! We hope you have a great year of health and prosperity!! North By Canoe is making plans for a great canoe season. Get your groups talking and planning to take a trip into the BWCA this summer. Permits will be going on sale on January 29th. Contact us today and let's get started on your trip!!

04/10/2024

Spring is here. Do you have plans for the summer? Have you considered going on a canoe trip into the BWCA? North By Canoe can help you!! We can plan and guide a trip that suits your groups' skills, ability and desire. Trips can be 3 days/2 nights up to 5 days/4 nights, sightseeing, fishing, relaxing, portaging/no portaging. Mens trips, Women's trips, Couples trips, Church Groups, Youth Groups, and anything in between. Let's meet and talk about what North By Canoe can do for you!!

01/16/2024

Happy New Year!! As 2024 begins, many people have thoughts and ideas of taking a trip into the BWCA. Sometimes the hardest part of getting started is getting started. Where to go? How many days? Where to rent canoes and equipment? What foods to take? There are lots of questions to answer. North By Canoe is here to help. We have 30+ years of experience of taking trips into the BWCA and would love to help you answer your questions. Permits will be available on January 30th . Drop a message with your questions and let us help you.

12/16/2023

As you gather with friends and family this holiday season, it is not too early to start to put together plans for a trip into the BWCA next summer. Permits will be available on January 31st. North By Canoe is ready to make your next BWCA trip easy to plan, easy to outfit, and easy to create a lifetime of memories. Contact us today to begin your next great trip into the BWCA! Happy Holidays from all of us at North By Canoe!!

12/14/2023

Many of you have heard stories about Benny Ambrose from John Goucher. Here is a added bit with pictures from Benny homestead that many of us have visited.

Benny Ambrose of Ottertrack Lake Sue Prom Posted on February 24, 2018 Posted in BWCA No Comments Tagged with benny ambrose, BWCA, ottertrack lake, USFS I wrote the following article about Benny Ambrose to update one of our web site pages. While I never met Benny I have heard numerous stories about h...