Before any smart-alecs post the answer "never", or "for 1 day in July", I have already thought of that, thanks.

A colleague suggested I take my two sons on a Boundary Waters canoe trip in Minnesota. He went and said it was incredible and inspiring. We are from Nashville, and I don't want to freeze. I understand that it might get chilly in the evenings, but when can we expect days that are at least 65 degree consistently?

Hi;

I went to Minnesota every year with my family when I was a kid and the rest of my family still goes every year. It can get really cold just about any time. The last time I was there about 5 years ago to scatter my dad's ashes the radio was predicting possible snow flurries on the 4th of July. This was in Bemiji or BRRRmiji as we like to call it. You should also be aware that it can get really really hot in Minnesota too. We always went in July or August and always brought our swim suits and our winter coats.

PS We are from Chicago and are relatively used to cold weather.

pps Don't forget about the deer flies.

My family always vacationed in northern Wisconsin (near Lake Superior)--first 2 weeks in July. Yes the days can be hot but we always had our winter coats because the mornings and nights were cold. I remember the 4th of July that the temp was below 32 and we had snow. Along with the deer flies watch out for ticks. Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the UP of Michigan are beautiful places for a vacation.

I'd say anytime between May 10 and Sept 15 is fine. My 2 adult sons and I go up there every year. We go in late September so we can have fewer people around and better fall colors.

You're right, it is an incredible place. There are very few places on this earth as pristine as the boundary waters. You'll cherish it.

My wife and I love St. Paul and have been to da nortland many a time (a few hours north of Minneapolis).

Anything before mid-May or after early September up there is COLD. July can be painfully hot and very buggy. BUT... early June and late August MMMM... perfect.

Ely and the Gunflint Trail are both nice starting point for canoe trips. You must reserve the best launch points far ahead - the DNR only permits so many per site per day.

Be sure to bring warm sleeping bags, sweaters, etc. Temps in the 80s during the day can drop to the 40s or 50s overnight up there.

If you plan to cross any big lakes, pack the gear low and stay on the upwind side. Waves can get big.

Plan to carry everything in and out of course, and pack LIGHT. Some longer portages are easy, others that look short and sweet on the map can be hellish with rocks, trees, and mud. Bring sturdy boots for that.

It's a beautiful place for those with the right attitude, good gear, and a very carefully-planned route. Never overdo it or this won't be so fun.

Finally, the Superior Hiking Trail can give you a similar experience but much closer to the car, with beautiful rivers and detours, cooler temps, and few bugs thanks to the lake and to the absence of swampy areas. My favorite backpacking starting point is Tetegouche, north of Two Harbors and about an hour north of Duluth. The Cascade River - farther north - is also great.

Good luck.

I understand that much of the boundry waters is a ugly picture of downed trees from forest fires and a huge wind storm. It use to be nice. Watch out for the nats.

Being a Minnesotan dealing with the coldest March on record(?) I am one of those smart alecks that want to answer NEVER! But come summer, I will once again love this state. The BWCA is unspoiled and spectacular, although I have not been there since the windstorm knocked down a ton of trees. I would check with the DNR to find an area untouched by the storm. I have found August to be the best time up north. Usually the mosquitos are less feisty and the weather is dreamy(less rain). It will be in the 40's at night, but a good sleeping bag takes care of that.
Enjoy the wilderness and listen for wolves! Most people hang their food in between trees because the bears and racoons can be a real problem. You'll know all about that before you come, I'm sure!

Don't let all these people scare you. I live in Boston and have family in Minnesota. It really is not that much colder there than the rest of the country. Think of what you'd pack for a visit to NY, Boston, Chicago, or Denver, and you'll be fine.

Hey jack...why are you diggin up 2 month old posts about Minn?