My family and I are going to the BWCA over the 4th of July. We will be entering on July 2nd and staying a couple of days and the plan is to go in 4 to 6 hours and putting down a base camp. According to my SO long portages are out of the question. This is the first time I'm planning a trip and bringing my family so I'm a little bit overwhelmed trying to research all the possiblities.

Could anyone suggest an entry that would fit my criteria?

1. I don't mind being around other people but I need an entry where we can get a late start (small kids) and still find a campsite to stay two nights at. My big concern is that all the sites on way will be taken and then we'll be forced to backtrack or into long portages that will be hard with small kids.

2. Some portages are ok but they really can't be long so maximum of 100 rods.

3. Since this will be a base camp I need a location that will offer other things to do as day trips like lakes/trails/fishing/swimming with kids.

4. We want to paddle/portage only 4 to 6 hours since we are expecting a late start.