Permit
From BWCAWiki
Overnight visits to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness require a permit from the U.S. Forest Service. There are limits to the number of permits available for each entry point each day.
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Day-use permits
A permit is required for a non-overnight visit the BWCAW as well, although these permits are self-issuing at most trailheads and have no quotas or fees. Group size limits (see below) still apply. During the off-season (October to May), overnight permits are also self-issuing.
Limits
Entry point
An overnight permit is only valid to enter the BWCAW at the entry point indicated on the date indicated. Each entry point has a quota of available overnight permits per day from May to October. If there are no permits available for your desired entry point and date, choose a different entry point or try a day earlier or later.
The permit does not restrict travel once you have entered the wilderness, and does not require a set take-out date.
Group size
The permit system limits the size of each group within the wilderness to no more than 9 people and 4 watercraft. This group size limit applies at all times, including while paddling on lakes, during portages, and at campsites. It is not legal for a large group of, say, 15 to reserve two permits and then combine back into one group once in the wilderness. If a group is already using a portage, wait until they finish before you begin portaging, in order to keep group sizes below the limit.
Acquiring a permit
By reservation
Permits may be reserved as early as January for the following summer. Permit applications submitted prior to that date are awarded via a lottery system once permits become available. Permits may be reserved online, by telephone, fax, or mail. If using the services of an outfitter, they will usually be able to make the permit reservation for you if you like.
Without a reservation
Overnight permits may also be available without reservation, although they will be subject to availability. All reserved permits have priority over "walk in" permits.
Pick-up
Permits must be physically picked up no more than one day prior to your put-in date. The permit must be picked up at either a Forest Service ranger station or a cooperating vendor, such as an outfitter. The location of pick-up must be decided when the permit is reserved.
Fees
- $12 reservation fee per trip
- $10 per adult per trip
- $5 per youth/Golden Age per trip
For example, three adults and one youth would pay $47 for a permit reservation. The duration of visit does not matter; a one night trip costs the same as a two week trip.
