size (maximum of nine people)
Number of watercraft (maximum of four boats)
Name, address and phone number of the group leader
Names of up to three alternate group leaders who might use the permit in the group leader’s absence
The desired entry point name and number
The desired entry date
The estimated exit date
The planned exit point
Whether or not the group is guided and, if so, the guide’s name
Location where the permit will be picked up
Payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express credit card. Cash and check payments for lottery applications and advanced reservations are not accepted
It is also a good idea to include an alternate entry date and an alternate entry point, in case your first choices are not available.
The reservation fee and the full amount of the camping fee for your party must be paid when you reserve your permit. Currently the total amount due when your reservation is made is $44 ($12 for the reservation and $32 for the camping fee). If your total fee is calculated to be less than $20 (i.e. for a single person or for a party with seasonal camping permits), you must still pay $32 plus the $12 processing fee when you make your reservation. The overpayment will be refunded after completion of your trip.
The Permit Reservation Lottery
The process of securing a BWCAW permit starts each year when lottery applications for permit reservations may be submitted to www.recreation.gov by website, mail, or fax beginning on December 1 each year. Applications submitted by mail or fax will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on January 10. Applications received through the website will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. CST on January 15. All applications received during this period will be processed by lottery regardless of the order or method received.
On January 20, following the lottery, first come, first-served reservation processing will begin via interactive website, mail, or fax. If January 20 falls on a Sunday or holiday, mailed or faxed reservation applications will be processed the next business day. Phone reservations will be accepted beginning February 1.
After making your reservation, the trip leader will receive a letter confirming that a BWCAW travel permit is reserved. Reservations made within the last seven days before the trip will be processed, but no confirmation letter will be sent.
Picking Up Your Permit
An overnight travel permit must be picked up in person within 24 hours of the trip starting date at a designated USFS District Office or at an outfitter or business that is an official permit issuing station (cooperator). This face-to-face contact affords personnel at the issuing station an opportunity to inform visitors about BWCAW regulations, wilderness ethics, and minimum-impact camping techniques. Only the party leader or an alternate leader whose name appears on the application may pick up the permit. Identification is required and periodic checks may take place in the wilderness. All cards (Golden Age, Golden Access, or Seasonal Fee) must be presented when the permit is picked up to receive a discount, otherwise, the full camping fee will be charged. Cooperators may charge an extra $2 fee for issuing each overnight permit. Office hours vary, so be sure to check with your permit pick-up location for its office hours.
Any change to your permit, except group size, requires a new $12 reservation fee. Group size changes are made when the permit is picked up. If there are more than two people in your party, the cost difference will be collected at the time of permit pick up. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted at all USFS District Offices. At non-Forest Service cooperators (outfitters or resorts), payment is by credit card only. If the party size decreases, a refund will be made by the BWCAW Reservation Center after the trip.
Canoe at Iron Lake
Canceling a Permit Reservation
The full camping fee will be refunded if your reservation is canceled two or more days prior to the entry date. If the reservation is not canceled in advance, or if you do not use the permit, you will forfeit the $32 deposit and the $12 reservation-processing fee.
BWCAW Information Resources
The BWCAW Reservation Center personnel are available only for making reservations and selling camping passes.
For information about the BWCAW, contact the Superior National Forest headquarters or one of the BWCAW-area ranger district offices listed below. They can answer your questions but cannot process reservations. The Superior National Forest offers a comprehensive website filled with useful information and resources: www.superiornationalforest.org/bwcaw.
Normal business hours at ranger district offices are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays before May 1 and after September 30. During the summer permit-issuing season, the district offices are generally open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The hours do change from year to year, however, and they may vary from office to office. The Superior National Forest office in Duluth is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Superior National Forest
Attn: Forest Supervisor
8901 Grand Ave Place
Duluth, MN 55808-1102
(218) 626-4300
Gunflint Ranger Station
2020 W. Highway 61
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218) 387-1750
Isabella Work Station
2759 Highway 1
Isabella, MN 55607
(218) 323-7722
Kawishiwi Ranger Station
1393 Hwy 169
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-7561
La Croix Ranger Station
320 N. Hwy 53
Cook, MN 55723
(218) 666-0020
Laurentian Ranger Station
318 Forestry Road
Aurora, MN 55705
(218) 229-8800
Tofte Ranger Station
Box 2159
Tofte, MN 55615
