Get a Headstart! Order a BWCA Tow Service on Saganaga and Seagull Lakes from our base on the end of the Gunflint Trail
Simply explained, a canoe launch (tow) service from Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail takes you, your canoe(s) and gear via motorboat to the point of your choosing on Seagull or Saganaga Lakes, the two large lakes that serve as entry points into the BWCAW and Quetico Park. This tow service allows you to paddle deeper into the Boundary Waters and Quetico canoe country. We offer this shuttle tow service to American Point, Hook Island, Red Rock Bay, Sag Falls, and Northern Light Rail Portage on Saganaga Lake. On Seagull Lake, we offer this shuttle tow service to the west end of Three Mile Island, Paulsen (Jap) Bay, and North Bay which puts you a 10-minute paddle from the Seagull Palisades.
We operate our own private launch(tow) boats on both Seagull and Saganaga Lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, with service to any point in the motorized area of either lake. Our tow service allows you to paddle deeper into the boundary waters and avoid paddling on the large lakes which can sometimes get a little choppy. We also arrange return launches; this means that before you head out on your trip, we arrange to meet you at a predetermined time and location at the end of your trip to bring you back to our base. Many of our customers take advantage of this service as it saves them anywhere from 2 to 6 hours of paddling time each way.
We start the first launch (tow) out at 7:00 a.m. After that, they usually run on the hour. Those customers booking earliest always get the preferred launch (tow) times. If you are looking for a ride to Hook Island early on a given day it is advantageous to book that tow now so we can guarantee your departure time. We at Seagull Outfitters stick to a pretty tight schedule, and once you have a reservation with us you do not have to wait hours for your launch (tow).
Below is a map showing the most popular drop-off and pickup points for tows on both Seagull and Saganaga Lakes (Quetico-Boundary Waters canoe routes are marked in red). For a larger version of this map, please click here.
2023 Rates for Headstart Launch(Tow) Service on Saganaga and Seagull Lakes in the Boundary Waters & Quetico Park off of the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota (Our rates include showers and parking!)
Rates are per person, and are subject to change. We so strongly recommend a launch to the Quetico Park that you will notice it is included in our Quetico Package. (NOTE: For a larger version of the map at left, please click here. This map is a large graphic and may be somewhat slow in loading.)
| Saganaga Lake | One Way | Round Trip |
| Quetico Park or American Point | $60.00 | $105.00 |
| Canadian Customs | $45.00 | $80.00 |
| Red Rock Portage | $65.00 | $110.00 |
| Saganaga Falls | $50.00 | $85.00 |
| Northern Light Rail Portage | $75.00 | $120.00 |
| Seagull Lake | One Way | Round Trip |
| Western tip of Three-Mile Island | $55.00 | $80.00 |
Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions about launches, and about trips in general. On Seagull Lake, we will launch you to the west end of Three Mile Island or to the portage into Paulsen Lake or to North Bay which gives you a 15-minute paddle to the Seagull Palisades. Beyond that, Seagull is closed to motorized travel.
