My first trip to the BWCA was through Sawbill, but we used them as an outfitter.

Is the big lot just north of the outfitter the public lot where everyone parks, or is that only for the outfitter?

May do a trip there, and will not be outfitted - just want to know what to expect.

Public parking.

Voyager: "Public parking."

+1

And you can pay to take a shower at the outfitter after trip, if desired...

The big lot is FS public parking for the entry point and overflow for the campground.

As with all parking near or next to the wilderness, keep all food and food related items (coolers, slurpy cups, etc) out of sight. Bears can and do raid cars in those lots. They know how to open car doors too. So keep the doors locked.

As big as that lot is, it can get full-ish during the busiest part of the season. And it can get some big puddles with rain.

Sawbill Outfitters has a slower version of wi-fi up near the store. (Front porch.) Phone calls are possible. You will know you are there when your phone lights up with all the texts you are missing.

I hope you get to go there, it's one of my favorite entry points and a wonderful outfitter.

Thanks all - looking forward to getting the boat wet again.

This is good to know. I had always assumed that it was Sawbill's lot. I Know its big and probably the size of Brule's lot. So makes sense. Thanks!

I actually used that lot when I did a Bikepacking trip. It's a big lot

Michwall2: "As with all parking near or next to the wilderness, keep all food and food related items (coolers, slurpy cups, etc) out of sight. Bears can and do raid cars in those lots. They know how to open car doors too. So keep the doors locked.
"

Seconding this. I use this lot usually twice a year and every time I park near the tree line on the North edge there's bear scat everywhere in the weeds. The big dumpsters near the entrance likely draw in a lot of attention overnight.