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Welcome to the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area Wilderness! To preserve the values of this great wilderness, certain
rules must be followed. Remember, BWCAW Permits are required! And, starting the summer of
1998, overnight wilderness visitors will be required to pay a camping
use fee.
The BWCA Reservation Web site
has real-time permit availability, this is an external link to the National
Recreation Reservation Service at
www.bwcaw.org or you can download
permit
applications for the BWCA, download
here.
To
order a permit (for entry dates from May 1 through September 30) use
the Reservation Web site above or call 1-877-550-6777.
Your permit reservation fee ($12) and user fee of $20.00) is
due when you make the reservation.
Permit applications for the
BWCA can be downloaded
here.
Self-Issued Permits (Entry dates from October 1 through April 30 ONLY)
- The self-issuing permits are valid
during the summer for non-motorized day use, and for any day use from Crane Lake to Lake
Vermilion.
- Self-issuing permits are available at
any Forest Service office and at major BWCAW entry points.
- The summer quota permit system has not
changed. Reservations are still made through the BWCAW Reservation System.
In accepting a permit you, as party
leader, agree to be responsible for any violation of the following:
1. "Can Ban" or
"No-Spam Rule"
Cans and glass bottles are not allowed. Containers of fuel, insect repellent,
medicines, personal toilet articles, and other items that are not foods or beverages are
the only cans and bottles you may bring with you. Food may be stored in plastic containers
but they must be packed out with you. Minnesota State law prohibits burning plastic.
2. Group Size
Nine (9) people and four (4) watercraft are the maximum allowed in your party. You may not
exceed this limit at any time or anywhere (on water, portages, campsites, etc.) in the
wilderness. Smaller groups increase your wilderness experience and decrease impacts to the
resource.
3. Campsites
You must camp at U.S. Forest Service developed campsites that have steel
firegrates and wilderness box latrines or within designated Primitive Management Areas and
some hiking trails, as specifically approved on your visitor's permit. Make camp early in
the day to ensure finding an available campsite. Keep dogs under control.
4. Open Campfires
Open campfires are allowed only within the steel firegrates at developed
campsites or as specifically approved on your visitor's permit. Fire left unattended are
illegal and unethical. This includes fires left burning while your sleeping, day tripping
or leaving your campsite. Bringing a small camp stove may be a better idea as it heats
more quickly, has less impact than a fire, and comes in handy during rainy or damp
weather.
5. Put it out.. let there be no
doubt!
Drown your fires with water and stir the ashes to be sure they are dead out each
time you leave your campsite. Be sure to pick up all debris in the firegrate. Do not burn
non-paper trash materials (e.g., aluminum foil, plastics, etc.)--pack everything out.
6. Campsite Days
You may camp up to fourteen consecutive days on campsites.
7. Entry
You must enter the BWCAW at the entrance point and on the entry date shown on
your travel permit.
8. Firewood
Use only dead and down material obtained away from campsites and lakeshore for
fire fuels. It is unlawful and damaging to cut, peel, or deface live trees, shrubs, or
boughs. Leave your axe at home. It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason.
9. Refuse Disposal
Use toilet facilities at existing campsites or at least 150 feet or more back from the
water's edge. If hiking, dig a pit at least 150 feet or more back from the waters edge.
Bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams. Soaps pollute! Fish
entrails should be buried in the top 6 inches of soil well away from the campsites,
portages, trails and shorelines. State law prohibits putting fish remains into the
water. Do not wash your body in the lake with any kind of soap, even biodegradable
soaps
are not meant to be disposed of in the water. They are only labeled biodegradable
for
disposing of in the soil.
10. Equipment Storage
Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with the current visit may be stored and
left unattended. All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the
end of each trip.
11. Mechanized Portages
Mechanical portaging (portage wheels) is permitted only over portages along the
International Boundary; the Four Mile Portage and the Fall-Newton-Pipestone Bay Portages
into Basswood Lake; Prairie Portage; and, the Vermillion-Trout Lake Portage.
12. Metal Detectors/Historical
Artifacts
The use of metal detectors is prohibited. Collection of archeological or historic
materials is prohibited.
13. Motorized Use
Lakes with no horsepower limits: Little Vermillion, Loon, Lac La Croix (but not beyond the
south end of Snow Bay in the U.S.A.), and Loon River.
Lakes with a 10 horsepower
limit: Clearwater, North Fowl, South Fowl, Seagull(only areas generally east of
three mile island are accessible by motorboat starting in 1999, the area generally west of
three mile island is now NON-MOTORIZED - PER FEDERAL LAW), and Island River (east of Lake
Isabella). On these lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 6
horsepower is permitted, provided that motors in use do not exceed 10 horsepower.
Lakes with a 25 horsepower
limit: Fall, Newton, Moose, Newfound, Sucker, Snowbank, East Bearskin, South
Farm, Trout, Basswood (except that portion north of Jackfish Bay and Washington Island)
and Saganaga (except that portion west of American Point). On these lakes or portions of
lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 10 horsepower is permitted,
provided that motors in use do not exceed 25 horsepower, No other motorized or mechanized
equipment (including pontoon boats, sailboats, sailboards) is allowed.
All other lakes or portions of
lakes within the BWCAW are paddle only. Motors may not be used or be in
possession on any paddle only lake.
Always remember to leave a
clean campsite by carrying out all refuse. Take care of your wilderness so that you and
others who follow you can continue to enjoy it.
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