Way of the Wilderness is located on the edge of the Boundary Waters and in the middle of Superior National Forest, at the end of the famous and beautiful Gunflint Trail, a few miles south of the Canada border.

WOW partially outfitted my canoe trip into the Boundary Waters this summer. It's a family-run operation, as many of these lodges are. The Darling family is very friendly. I didn't stay at one of the cabins, but I did get a chance to interact with both the father (Bud) and son (Mark), a volunteer firefighter.

I was concerned that, because I only rented a single canoe from them, and not all the extras, that I might be treated differently. But not so. They did their best to meet my requests and work with me through the permitting process. My crew of three was given complimentary coffee on the morning of our departure into the woods.

We stayed at the Trail's End Campground, which is owned by the National Forest, but is actually operated by Way of the Wilderness. WOW is located right next to the Seagull Lake entry point into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. WOW is also licensed station for entry permits. They will drop canoes off at the canoe launch at no extra charge, as it is a very short drive.

If I had a complaint, it's that they don't have the state-issued machines for fishing licenses, so come prepared. The lodge kitchen serves up a decent breakfast and cup of coffee, and the store's office has a gift shop/general store. The prices are what you would expect for a remote location (high).