Our work at GTC includes significant outreach to our Guides & Outfitter community. And part of that outreach involves patronage of these folks. We encourage visitors to our site to work with and support professionals in the guiding and outfitting business because of our conviction that they deliver immense value and they can catalyze your adventure. And we practice what we preach.
GTC Outfits with VCO
A September 2025 trip to the BWCAW gave us the opportunity to work with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. They fully outfitted the majority of our six-person group. That meant canoes, paddles, canoe seats, all the camping gear as well as all of our food for a four day, three night backcountry adventure.
Just arriving at the VCO property is like an adrenaline shot of anticipation as you have to traverse the full length of the famed Gunflint Trail, before arrival at their property nestled between Seagull and Saganaga Lakes right on the Seagull River. They had our bunk house ready for us and after visiting a bit and enjoying the lightshow of stars above, we all crashed out for the night. The bunks are unremarkable in the best way—plain, functional, and entirely sufficient for getting a good night’s rest before the journey ahead.
Without hyperbole, the pre-paddle-in breakfast was outstanding. VCO has put an emphasis on this and the results are fantastic. Full spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, even sausage gravy and biscuits for those so inclined (like us). Cottage cheese, loads of fresh fruit, multiple juice offerings in addition to tea and coffee. This breakfast would stand up to competition anywhere, but in a remote/outpost location like found at the end of the Gunflint Trail, call us impressed.
“His knowledge underscored why Voyageur Canoe Outfitters delivers real value to paddlers of all experience levels.”
The outfitting debrief was efficient yet thorough, clearly explaining every item included in our packs and how to use it—no confusion, no question marks. Matt also guided us through the final stages of our trip planning. While we’d already spent months mapping out a number of routes and possible destinations, his insights added real depth. He broke down paddling times with and without wind, shared up-to-date portage conditions (“the entry to this one has recently been taken over by a beaver”), and offered thoughtful fishing tips tailored to each lake and target species. His knowledge underscored why Voyageur Canoe Outfitters delivers real value to paddlers of all experience levels.
We had fresh food for dinner on day one and breakfast on day two, followed by mostly backpacker-style meals for the remaining dinners. Lunches were well thought out and easy to pack—featuring their famous GORP, protein bars, fruit leathers, jerky, summer sausage, cheese, crackers, and other energy-dense options perfect for quick bites during long paddling days.
The gear supplied was top notch. Food and equipment packs were in great shape and there were no unpleasant surprises found about weakening straps or otherwise inadequate carrying gear. The canoes provided were in good, albeit well-used shape, and the carbon fiber, bent shaft paddles were appreciated by our crew. The canoe chairs that were add ons for one of our canoes were the Crazy Creek IVs, a significant upgrade from the earlier generation of that chair (III). Stoves were not fancy, but were stable, propane stoves that allowed for easily cranking out pots of water necessary for tea, coffee and rehydrated meals.
Unsurprisingly, we’d recommend Voyageur Canoe Outfitters again and again, confident that anyone would be impressed by their level of service. Their gear is top-notch, of course, but it’s the human side of their operation that really stands out—from the first phone call to trip planning to the pre-departure debrief. That’s where you truly feel the value of working with a high-quality, people-first organization. We’ll be back.