As the Fourth of July draws near, many people will be searching for things to do with their time off.

Pete Marshall, communications director for ‘Friends of the Boundary Waters,’ explains how to stay safe if traveling into the Boundary Waters for the holiday.

With the recent rainfall still on many people’s minds, remaining prepared in case of a storm can prevent accidents. Things like excess waterfall can cause instability in tree roots or break their branches.

“You know, camp around trees that are very stable, very grounded in the earth. you know, if something’s kind of rotting or the roots are exposed and it’s loose, you know, try to pick someplace else,” said Marshall.

Lighting can also pose problems for those camping in the wilderness. As seen in recent weather storms, trees can fall onto campsites or campers.

“Generally, what you want to do is get off the water. Don’t be around tall trees. Don’t be around metal. And the scary part is that lightning can travel through the ground. So, the best thing to do is to get on some kind of insulated surface,” said Marshall.

Marshall adds that the BWCA is notoriously windy and can experience 20–30-mile winds that can knock down trees, branches, and even capsize boats.

“So, one thing I encourage people to do is to get started early. that’s not just because I’m a morning person, but the winds tend to be calmer in the morning,” said Marshall.

Even for those not planning on spending a long-time camping, making sure to remember the small things that may seem insignificant, ensures the most beneficial experience for everyone.

“The easiest, most intuitive thing you can do. And people forget to do it, or they just don’t do it a lot but put that life vest on,” said Marshall.

Friends of the BWCA are also partnering with the apps OnWater and PaddleWays to provide campers with online access to trail and campsite.

“The hope is that, you know, this is going to be a tool that people can use to plan their trip because, you know, one of the best ways to prepare for the Boundary Waters, to be safe in the Boundary Waters, is good planning and having a solid route plan beforehand,” said Marshall.

Going into the Fourth of July, but also anytime you travel into the Boundary Waters, planning is of utmost importance. Staying safe can ensure a good time for all.

“Get out there, have a good time, be safe and make some memories,” said Marshall.

For more information on the Friends of the Boundary Waters, go to Friends of the Boundary Waters (friends-bwca.org).