If you are seeking a vacation destination that provides adventure, refreshment and the excitement of outdoor recreation, then the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Wilderness is for you. Located along the Minnesota/Canada border within the Superior National Forest, this unique area contains more than 1
million acres of wilderness and welcomes 200,000 visitors each year. Perfect for both summer and winter outdoor enthusiasts, the BWCA offers many recreational opportunities, including camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, the BWCA landscape features rugged cliffs, canyons, gentle hills, rocky shores, sandy beaches, lakes and streams.
To preserve its amazing character, in 1964 the BWCA was made part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Containing more than 1,000 lakes and streams and 1,500 miles of canoe routes, it is easy to see why National Geographic named the BWCA one of the “50 Destinations of a Lifetime.” Only a few large lakes allow motorboats, so the majority of the BWCA is accessible only by canoes and portaging (carrying canoes and gear on trails from one lake to the next). Snowshoes and cross-country skis will get you where you want to go in the winter months.
GETTING STARTED
To enter the BWCA, you must have a permit.
These can be applied for
through the Forest Service at www.bwcaw.org. Fees are $10 for adults and $5 for
children and seniors. Annual passes are also available for frequent visitors. To protect the park and its habitat, permits require that you enter at a certain access point, on a certain day, and leave the area on a specified date. Permits can be picked up at tourist centers outside the BWCA, outfitters and national park stations.
The BWCA has two main entry points. The first entry point is Ely, Minn., and the second is Grand Marais, Minn. Both locations are about a 4½ hour drive north of Minneapolis. If you are traveling from a distance, the best way to get to the BWCA is to fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and then drive to Ely or Grand Marais.
EQUIPMENT & OUTFITTERS
Once you have your permit, it is important to think about your equipment (see next page). This is where outfitters come in handy. Luckily, there are a number of good companies that can outfit you with the necessary equipment, food and advice to make your adventure a safe and memorable one. Below are some outfitters located close to the BWCA’s two main entry points at Ely and Grand Marais.
COSTS
Making a trip to the BWCA can get costly, so beware!
Remember, you will be charged a fee for parking your car, renting packs, permits, gear and canoes, lodging before your trip and food. Bring along as much equipment as you can to save money.
CAMPING
In the BWCA, there are nearly 2,200 designated campsites with several residing in its 23 developed campgrounds. While there is a minimal fee charged to stay at
a developed campground, each campsite offers picnic tables, fire grates and tent pads. Drinking water and restroom facilities are also available throughout the campground. For a more “back to nature” approach, hundreds of remote campsites are also available. There is no fee
to use these campsites and each offers fire grates, a box latrine and tent pads. It is important to remember that no campsite can be reserved in the BWCA and campers must adhere to “Leave No Trace” principles (see below) in order to minimize impact to the environment.
CANOEING
People have been coming to the BWCA for nearly a century enjoying some of the best canoeing in the most beautiful place in the world. The Boundary Waters were made for the canoe. With more than 1,000 interconnected lakes the possibilities for wilderness travel are endless.
FISHING
Unparalleled fishing opportunities bring thousands of wilderness travelers to the BWCA every year. The four most popular species that populate the Boundary Waters are the smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and lake trout. Since no motor access is allowed,
the fishing is better than in most lakes because there is less fishing pressure. Most anglers practice catch-and-release fishing, which helps keep the fish in prime condition.
HIKING
One of the best outdoor activities to be found in the BWCA is hiking and it is possible to do it spring, summer, fall and winter. You will find everything from easy day hikes to challenging multiday routes for overnight camping trips, with mapped, well-marked trails that meander through the BWCA. Some of the more popular hiking trails within the BWCA include Angleworm Trail, Border Route Trail West, Eagle Mountain Trail and Pow Wow Trail West.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
The BWCA offers some of the best cross-country skiing in Minnesota. Home to the Pincushion Ski Trail System, this system of trails offers a variety in trail length and difficulty. There is a short beginner loop, a longer more scenic intermediate loop and several challenging advanced loops. Trails are usually groomed once a week.
SNOWSHOEING
For the snowshoe devotee and for those who want to try this quiet winter sport, the BWCA offers several exclusive snowshoe trails for your enjoyment. These include Creek Trail (one-quarter mile), BWCA Swamp Lake Trail (two miles) and the Tim Knopp Trail (two miles).
WILDLIFE
In the Boundary Waters, there are many wildlife species, including deer, moose, black bears, beavers, eagles, otters, loons, timber wolves, raccoons and squirrels. It is not uncommon to have a bear sighting, but remember they are usually more afraid of you than you are of them. But if a wild animal does come into your campground, loud noises, such as banging pots and pans will generally scare them away.
SEASONS
Winter is a seven-month event in the Boundary Waters. The short summers begin in early May when the ice melts off the lakes and end with snow in October. For the canoeing months of May through September, the average temperatures range from 79 as the high in July to a low of 63 in September.
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
When visiting the BWCA, always follow these seven principles:
Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts.
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.
BWCA FAST FACTS:
THE BWCA:
•Is the largest and only federal wilderness of substantial size east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Everglades at more than 1 million acres.
•Contains the largest contiguous areas of uncut forest remaining in the eastern United States.
•Contains the highest point in Minnesota: Eagle Mountain (2,301 feet).
•Is a Class I air-quality area as defined by the Federal Clean Air Act.
•Is the only wilderness in the country that has an airspace reservation that prohibits flights below 4,000 feet.
So whether you’re gliding in a canoe or skiing in breathtaking powder, the BWCA offers visitors just the right amount of expansive solitude and challenge, while providing the perfect playground for a multitude of year-round recreational opportunities.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT LIST
The following is a general list of the types of equipment
recommended for travel within the BWCA. You will want to
modify this list accordingly for the climate in which you will be
traveling. Additionally, if you plan to hunt, fish, canoe, etc., you will want to pack additional gear needed for such activities.
Tent
Sleeping bag with stuff sack
Backpack
Hiking boots (broken-in and
waterproofed)
Socks (wool and liner)
Jacket/sweater
Rain gear
Hat and/or stocking cap
Shirts (long- and short-sleeved),
pants and shorts
Cookstove with extra fuel bottle
Cooking pans and utensils
Cup, bowl, spoon and fork
Knife (sharpened)
Waterproof matches or lighter
Rope
Water bottles and canteens
Water filter or water treatment kit
Garbage bags, Ziplock bags (for packing out waste and repackaging food)
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent (make sure it includes DEET or it probably won’t
be effective)
Chapstick and sunscreen
Toilet paper (in plastic bag with
additional plastic bag for packing
out used paper)
Flashlight or headlamp (with extra
batteries and bulb), candle lantern
Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, biodegradable soap, personal
medications, etc.)
First-aid kit, emergency survival
blanket
Repair kits for your stove, tent,
backpack, hiking boots, etc.
