River Depth: Over 50 feet (just west of Bruin Lake), but less than 60 feet
Fire History:
River Length: The section in the BWCA is just over 8 miles long. It is about 6 more miles to the mouth of the river at Birch Lake. The river extending north from Birch Lake to White Iron Lake is usually called the Birch River, not the South Kawishiwi River so that section is not included in length measurements.
Campsites: About 20 (1 visited)
Wildlife Seen on Visit: None
Last Visited: June 15, 2025;
Previous Visit(s): May 13, 2023, August 5, 2016
River Elevation: At its upstream terminus at the Kawishiwi River, the elevation is about 1440 feet. Where the river exits the BWCA, the elevation is about 1400 feet.
Water Clarity: N/A
ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM THE SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER:
To Astray Lake: Bushwhack of about 60 rods
To Bruin Lake: Walk the 20 rod portage
To BWCA Entry Point 32: Walk the 147 rod portage
To Clear Lake: Walk the 70 rod portage
To Eskwagama Lake: Walk the 85 rod portage
To Kawishiwi River: Walk the 15 rod portage
To Little Gabbro Lake: Walk the 122 rod portage
South Kawishiwi River
Kawishiwi Ranger District
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER CAMPSITES: Campsite 1 (#1696): This campsite is the nearest to the BWCA Entry Point 32 portage landing. It is almost due north of it
The "river full of beavers' houses" as it is known in Objibwe splits into two main channels, just about a mile due south of Triangle Lake and about 3/4 mile downstream of the portage to the BWCA Entry Point 29 parking lot.
This web page will cover the stretch of the Kawishiwi River, known as the South Kawishiwi River. Just under a mile downstream of the Triangle Lake-Kawishiwi River portage, the Kawishiwi River splits into two separate branches. The north branch is called the North Kawishiwi River and the south branch is the South Kawishiwi River. From the split to where the South Kawishiwi River leaves the BWCA just downstream of the portage to the BWCA Entry Point 32 parking lot, is about 8 miles.
Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.
PADDLING FROM THE BWCA ENTRY POINT 32 PORTAGE LANDING TO THE BRUIN LAKE PORTAGE
A meandering paddle from the Entry Point 32 portage landing upriver to the Bruin Lake portage on the east bank of the river (June 15, 2025). Portage to Bruin Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE BRUIN LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1696
This route leaves the Bruin Lake portage and crosses to the west side of the river. After crossing the river, follow the west shoreline southward to the campsite. This campsite is almost due north from the BWCA Entry Point 32 canoe landing on the otherside of the river (June 15, 2025). Visit BWCA Campsite 1696 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1696 TO THE BWCA ENTRY POINT 32 PORTAGE LANDING
Threading around some islands as we paddle southbound across the South Kawishiwi River to the BWCA Entry Point 32 canoe landing (June 15, 2025). Portage to the BWCA Entry Point 32 parking lot -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
SOME OLDER IMAGES/VIDEOS OF THE SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The South Kawishiwi River from the BWCA Entry Point 32 portage. From here would would typically head to your right. Heading left (downstream) soon takes you to the head of some rapids and also out of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (August 5, 2016).
View from the 122 rod portage that leads to Little Gabbro Lake. Heading straight ahead leads toward the northeast up the South Kawishiwi River. This portage landing is in a backwater bay along the river.
Older video of the view from the South Kawishiwi River BWCA Entry Point 32 portage landing (August 5, 2016).
Route Connections for South Kawishiwi River
From the South Kawishiwi River, you can portage into Bruin Lake, Clear Lake, Eskwagama Lake, Little Gabbro Lake and even into the Kawishiwi River. You can also bushwhack out to Astray Lake. Finally, you can leave the BWCA by portaging to BWCA Entry Point 32.
