Can you reserve a site at Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations)?

Yes, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations), Minnesota — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview:

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is located in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. Approximately 1.1 million acres in size, it extends nearly 150 miles along the international boundary adjacent to Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and is bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park.

The BWCAW offers more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 11 hiking trails and approximately 2,000 designated campsites.

The area was set aside in 1926 to preserve its primitive character and was made a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1964. Visitors can canoe, portage and camp in the spirit of the french voyageurs of 200 years ago.

Any group taking an overnight paddle, motor or hiking trip, or a motorized day use trip into the BWCAW from May through September is required to obtain a quota permit.

Reservations are recommended since there are a limited number of quota permits available for each entry point. Self-issued permits are required year-round for all non-motorized day use visitors and for all overnight visitors entering the BWCAW between October and April. Self-issued permits are free and available at the entry point or Forest Service ranger stations.

For the most current, comprehensive information on planning a trip to the BWCAW, please review the BWCAW Trip Planning Guide here.

Getting there

None

48.03389, -90.99278 · 48°2'2.0"N 90°59'34.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 15°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	15	20	33	47	62	71	76	74	64	49	34	21
Low °F	-6	-5	8	24	38	49	54	52	45	33	21	4
Precip in	1.0	0.8	1.0	1.9	2.9	3.6	3.7	2.8	3.5	2.7	1.6	1.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Ways in

Showing 40 of 89.

Angleworm Lake (op) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Angleworm Lake Trail (oh) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Baker Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Big Moose Lake Trail (oh) — Entry Point · LaCroix District
Blandin Trail (oh) — Entry Point · LaCroix District
Bog Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Border Route Trail (center) (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Border Route Trail (east) (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Border Route Trail (west) (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Bower Trout Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Brant Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Brule Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Brule Lake ONLY (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Brule Lake Trail (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Clearwater Lake (dm) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Clearwater Lake (op,om) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Crab Lake (op) — Entry Point · LaCroix District
Crocodile River (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Cross Bay Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Daniels Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Duncan Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Eagle Mountain Trail (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
East Bearskin (dm) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
East Bearskin (op,om) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Fall Lake (op,om) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Fall Lake ONLY (dm) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Fall Lake and Beyond (dm,dc) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
From Big Lake (op) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
From Canada — Entry Point
From Farm Lake (op,om) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Herriman Lake Trail (oh) — Entry Point · LaCroix District
Hog Creek (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Homer Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Isabella Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Island River (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
John Lake (op) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Kawishiwi Lake (op) — Entry Point · Tofte District
Kekekabic Trail (east) (oh) — Entry Point · Gunflint District
Kekekabic Trail (west) /Snowbank (oh) — Entry Point · Kawishiwi District
Lac LaCroix ONLY (op, om) — Entry Point-Restricted · LaCroix District

Common questions about Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations)

Can you reserve a site at Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations)?: Yes, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Camping near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations)

Trails End Campground 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest 12.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crescent Lake (MN) 17 mi · Campground · we watch it
Iron Lake 17.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ham Lake 8.7 mi · Facility
Loon Lake 12.8 mi · Facility
Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground 14.4 mi · Campground
Gunflint Lake 15.1 mi · Facility
Baker Lake Rustic Campground 15.4 mi · Campground
Homer Lake 17.2 mi · Facility
Little Gunflint Lake 18.7 mi · Facility
Rice Lake 19.4 mi · Facility

Contact

Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations)