Price Comparison

The Boundary Waters Experience (BWX) is proud of our low price. We have worked hard to make this unique experience economical. Here is a comparison of our price to outfitters in the Ely area:

* $3,640 - Average price for a non-guided trip, through an outfitter.
* $8,200 - The average price for a guided trip (these are also without ministry focus).

We provide all of the equipment, planning, food, permits, a wilderness guide, AND, what the others do not offer - thoughtful Spiritual content planning and facilitation. We do this for one third of the price of other guided trips.

Why the BWX rather than renting or doing it on my own?

• Cost: BWX offers a higher quality experience for less money.
• Convenience: We take care of all aspects of the experience form start to finish. Why worry about the details and planning when we can do it for you?  At the end of your trip, you can relax and reflect on your way home and let us deal with the clean up and maintenance.
• Safety: The BWX has many layers of redundancy in our safety protocol.  Our guides are highly trained to deal with emergency situations.  All BWX Trail Guides are certified by the American Red Cross in Wilderness First Aid, AED, and CPR.  The BWX also has staff members that are trained as Wilderness First Responders.  Additionally, each BWX trip is outfitted with a satellite phone to use in the event of an emergency.  Finally, we have the ability to have the U.S. Forest Service float airplanes aid in the event of a serious emergency.
• Expertise: Because of our extensive experience in the BWCA we are able to competently guide groups to our favorite locations and hidden gems, in accordance with each unique groups physical abilities.
• Better Equipment: We provide the best gear available, from state of the art manufacturers such as Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Arc’teryx, MSR, Wenonah Canoes, Cook Custom Sewing, etc.
• Ministry Focused: BWX Trail Guides train for months to facilitate: Christian conversations, the telling of each person’s life story, and to use the innate metaphors about faith that the wilderness provides.
• More Time With Your Community: The BWX Trail Guide manages the logistics and details during the trip, (navigating, time management, cooking, equipment maintenance, etc) to free you up to spend more time doing what you are there to do - spend time with each other. As a leader you are able to concentrate on your community, not the challenges of wilderness travel.
• Food: Our meals plan has been designed and customized with the help of a nutritionist to ensure you are getting the nutrients and calories you need for a wilderness adventure. Planning food for a large group in a wilderness setting can be tedious and expensive. Years of experience have allowed us to compile a tasty and effective trail menu.