Minnesota is called the land of ten thousand lakes, and a good share of them are located in the Boundary Waters Canoe area. Officially, the Boundary Waters are home to over 1,100 lakes of various shapes and sizes, with many connecting rivers and streams. Most visitors to the area choose a paddle route that connects a number of the lakes, with short portages in between. If you haven’t gone on a long paddling trip involving portages before, make sure to buy a good set of wheels specifically made for transporting your canoe, and practice using them at home before you go.