BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS T RIP P LANNING G UIDE Your BWCAW Adventure Starts Here… Share the Experience, Peter Nelson GREAT GLACIERS carved the physical Provincial Parks and is bordered on the What’s Inside… features of what is today known as west by Voyageurs National Park. The Page 2 . Planning your BWCAW Trip the Boundary Waters Canoe Area BWCAW contains over 1200 miles of Page 2 . Superior National Forest Wilderness (BWCAW) by scraping and canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over Recreation Alternatives gouging rock. The glaciers left behind 2000 designated campsites. This area was Page 3 . Reservation & Permit Basics Page 4 . Leave No Trace rugged cliffs and crags, canyons, gentle set aside in 1926 to preserve its primitive Page 5 . BWCAW Rules and Regulations hills, towering rock formations, rocky character and made a part of the Page 6 – 7 . Smart and Safe Wilderness shores, sandy beaches and thousands National Wilderness Preservation System Travel Page 8-9 ����������� BWCAW Entry Points of lakes and streams, interspersed with in 1964 with subsequent legislation in Page 10 . The BWCAW Past and Present islands and surrounded by forest. 1978. Page 10 . The BWCAW Act The BWCAW is a unique area Wilderness offers freedom to those Page 11 . Fire in the Wilderness located in the northern third of the who wish to pursue an experience Page 12 – 13 . Protecting Your Natural Resources Superior National Forest in northeastern of expansive solitude, challenge and Page 14 . Special Uses Minnesota. Over 1 million acres in personal connection with nature. The Page 15 . Youth Activity Page size, it extends nearly 150 miles along BWCAW allows visitors to canoe, Page 16 . Contact Information the International Boundary adjacent portage and camp in the spirit of those THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN to Canada’s Quetico and La Verendrye travelers that came before them. LARGE PRINT UPON REQUEST. USDA – Forest Service Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place Duluth, MN 55808 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer Plan Your BWCAW Trip and Accept the Wilderness Challenge. emember, successful wilderness trips don’t The BWCAW is only one of many recreation just happen. They are the result of careful alternatives on the Superior National Forest. planning. Please use this trip planning R Wilderness recreation requires careful planning guide to get started. However, we suggest that you and preparation and involves some risk. also use guidebooks and maps that can be found in Wilderness travel offers great personal freedom, bookstores, local libraries, and outdoor equipment but also requires self-reliance and good judgement. stores. The expertise of outfitters and guides can also be used when planning a BWCAW trip. Permits are required to enter the wilderness. The visitor must have knowledge of the entry points As you begin to plan your trip, ask yourself about the and routes; some research may be needed to gather type of experience you seek. Would your needs for this information. These steps are necessary in order solitude or your quest for the elusive lake trout best to protect the BWCAW and to provide a quality be met inside the BWCAW portion of the Superior wilderness experience. National Forest, or would camping in areas of the Forest adjacent to the BWCAW better suit the type of trip you want? Trip Itinerary Before You Leave Home Always leave a trip itinerary with someone before leaving home with the following: Check current Minnesota Department of Natural Consider specific survival gear to prevent becoming Resources fishing, hunting and boating regulations injured or lost in the wilderness such as: ___________________________________ before your trip including: 4 Trip leader’s name 1. Extra food 9. Water filter or • Canoe and boat registrations (Minnesota requires 4 Entry point and date __________________ all watercraft to be registered and honors any state 2. Rain gear purifier watercraft registrations) 4 Exit point and date ________________ 3. Warm clothing 10. Fire starter • Fishing licenses and trout stamps 11. Water proof pouch ___________________________________ 4. Signaling mirror 4 • Fishing limits and possession of fish Potential route 5. Whistle 12. Nylon cord • Hunting seasons 4 Number of people in the group _______ 13. Folding knife • Watercraft lights 6. Emergency blanket 4 Number of canoes or boats ___________ 14. First aid kit MN Department of Natural Resources 7. Map ___________________________________ 651-296-6157 • 888-646-6367 8. Compass 15. Necessary 4 Nearest Forest Service Ranger Station www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations medications and phone number ___________________________________ Wilderness visitors face inherent risk of adverse 4 Name of outfitter (if applicable) weather conditions, isolation, physical hazards, and ___________________________________ lack of rapid communications. Search and rescue 4 Make of car(s) driven & license number(s) takes longer in the wilderness than in an urban setting. Be prepared! Prevent the need for a search The Forest Service does not automatically and rescue operation that may impact the integrity of the wilderness area or put others in danger. Acquire initiate searches if a group doesn’t exit as and maintain necessary skills for primitive travel by planned. If someone is concerned because foot, canoe, or other non-mechanical means. you are late returning from your trip, they You are responsible for your own safety should contact the county sheriff’s office and that of your group. (see page 16 for emergency contacts). k Superior National Forest Recreation Alternatives If something other than a wilderness trip is more your style, consider one of the following recreation alternatives in other beautiful areas of Superior National Forest. There are many ways to experience the great outdoors; explore what is best for you. Backcountry Sites Campgrounds Resorts & Private There are a variety of camping options outside the The Superior National Forest has 23 developed Campgrounds Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that can campgrounds. Campgrounds are generally open offer the same peace and tranquility. In the Superior from mid-May to mid-September; some are open Within the Superior National Forest are a variety National Forest, there are over 200 sites outside the all year with no water or garbage pickup off-season, of private resorts and campgrounds that may Wilderness called “backcountry campsites”. These though walk-in access may be required. Campground suit the needs of a visitor looking for a trip near areas offer remote paddling, camping, and fishing. facilities vary from flush toilets and showers to rustic the wilderness rather than in it. Some of these Here you can experience solitude without fees or campgrounds with vault toilets and hand pumps. accommodations are set up with showers, electrical permits, and still have a fire grate and latrine. These Each campsite has a picnic table, fireplace, tent pad hookups, and numerous other amenities. If this areas also have fewer regulations. However, visitors and parking spot. For a fee, reservations may be made describes your needs, you can get more information to backcountry areas should follow the LEAVE NO in advance at some of the campgrounds through the at the chamber of commerce located nearest to the TRACE ethic. National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) by area you would be visiting. See Page 8 for chamber of calling 1-877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov. commerce and tourism contact information. Many of the chambers have web pages that may be accessed for Rustic. There are 17 rustic campgrounds with no fees. more information. Water and garbage are not available. Additional campgrounds information available at www.fs.usda.gov/activity/superior/recreation/camping-cabins Boundary waters 2 canoe area wilderness does not eliminate the need for obtaining a BWCAW letter email. You may want to confirm dates, hours permit. For reserved permits it does not eliminate and location ahead of time. You may change your The Basics the need to pay the $6.00 reservation fee and user fee issuing station through deposit. They may be purchased in person after May your recreation.gov Wilderness Permits 1 from any Forest Service Permit Issuing Station. account. Permits are required year-round for all visitors Seasonal Fee Card Costs to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Please use the following information Per Person Picking Up A to help you determine which type of permit is Adult $64.00 appropriate for your group. Permit Youth (0–17) $32.00 Permits can only be picked Interagency Senior/ up the day before or the day of Quota Permits Access Card Holders $32.00 entry. Please check with your Quota permits are required for any group entering Youth Access Card Holder $16.00 desired permit pick-up location the BWCAW between May 1 and September 30 if to confirm their office hours. they are camping overnight (whether the group is Remember to bring a photo paddling, motoring, or hiking) or if they are visiting ID when you pick up during the day using a motorized boat. The quota Permit Reservations your permit. system regulates how many groups may enter an entry First-Come, First-Served point each day. In addition to daily quotas, motorized Reserved use is limited by a weekly motor quota. Groups Permit reservations will be released on a first-come, may only enter the BWCAW on the entry date and first-served basis beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Permits through the entry point specified on the permit. Time on the last Wednesday in January through Permits may only be picked www.recreation.gov or the reservation center at: Permits may only be picked up the day before or on up the day before or on the the date specified on the permit. Permits may not 1-877-444-6777. Visitors will see available entry points and dates, and make a reservation instantly for date of entry from a Permit Issuing be transferred to someone not listed on the permit.