Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Permits

Permits are required for groups to enter the boundary waters canoe area bwca during all seasons.

Boundary waters canoe area wilderness permits.

Ely is the main western entry point to the boundary waters wilderness canoe area while grand marais on the north shore of minnesota is the eastern point of entry. Quota permits quota permits are required for any group entering the bwcaw between may 1 and september 30 if they are camping overnight whether the group is paddling. Act and in 1978 the passage of the boundary waters canoe area wilderness act. It is essential to plan your trip early.

Over 1 098 000 acres in size it extends nearly 150 miles along the international boundary adjacent to canada s quetico and la verendrye provincial parks bordered on the west by voyageurs national park with grand portage monument to the east. The boundary waters canoe area wilderness is a 1 090 000 acre wilderness area within the superior national forest in northeastern part of the us state of minnesota under the administration of the u s. Click on superior national forest covid 19 for the latest closure orders and press releases. The 1978 boundary waters canoe area wilderness act established the boundary waters regulations much as they are today with limitations on motorboats and snowmobiles a permit based quota system for recreational access and restrictions on logging and mining within the area.

The boundary waters is by far the nation s most visited wilderness area which creates an interesting tension. All visitors to the boundary waters canoe area wilderness bwcaw. It is considered by some as the most beautiful wilderness they have ever seen. Permits are required year round for all day and overnight visitors to the boundary waters canoe area wilderness.

Overnight quota permits are not necessary from october 1 april 30th. Fees and permits how do i get there. The boundary waters canoe area wilderness bwcaw is a unique area located in the northern third of the superior national forest in northeastern minnesota. A mixture of forests glacial lakes and streams the bwcaw s preservation as a primitive wilderness began in the 1900s and culminated in the boundary waters canoe area wilderness act of 1978.

This gave the maximum level of protection to the bwca and prevented infrastructure motorized vehicles and industrial activities within its borders. Permits do not reserve a campsite but rather grant access to a particular entry point. Walk up permits may be obtained at any permit issuing station on the entry date or one day prior when available. Located in northeastern minnesota the boundary waters canoe area wilderness bwca has a million acres of wilderness with over 1 000 pristine lakes andstreams and over 1500 miles of canoe routes.

It is a popular destination for canoeing hiking and fishing and is one of the most vis. Please use the following information to help you determine which type of permit is appropriate for your group. Between may 1st and september 30th permits need to be reserved and are limited by day and by entry point to reduce impact on the wilderness. During this time you may pick up a day permit non quota at designated issuing stations the day of or the day before entry.