Boundary Waters Permits

BWCA Permits and Entry Points

Do you need a permit to explore the Boundary Waters!

Yes!

Permits are always required to enter the Boundary Waters. But from May 1 through September 30, everyone taking an overnight camping, hiking or canoe trip of any kind needs to have a quota permit.

That’s why it’s important that you plan your BWCA trip early.

Here, we’ll help you find a route and get a permit!

Below you’ll find a map and a list of all entry points, as well as dozens of Boundary Waters canoe routes that will make it easy to plan your trip.

Map, Entry Points, Suggested Canoe/ Hiking Routes

Entry Point	Entry Name	Find Routes from this entry point
1	Trout Lake	Loop East Through Cummings Lake Exploration of Trout Lake and its neighbors Short Loop through Pine Lake
4	Crab Lake and Cummings from Burntside Lake
6	Slim Lake
7	Big Lake	Big Rice Lake
8	Moose River (South)
9	Little Indian Sioux River (south)
12	Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake)	Exploration of Little Vermillion Lake
12A	Lac LaCroix Only
14	Little Indian Sioux River (North)	One-Way to Nina Moose Lake
16	Moose/Portage River (North)	Agnes, Iron, Stuart Loop Lac La Croix Express
19	Stuart River	Stuart River, Iron Lake Loop
20	Angleworm Lake	Angleworm Trail
22	Mudro Lake (restricted–no camping on Horse Lake)
23	Mudro Lake	Iron Lake Loop
24	Fall Lake	Horse Lake Loop Exploration of Basswood Lake
25	Moose Lake	Eastern Loop through Ensign Lake and Beyond Basswood / Wind Lake Loop Exploration of Moose Lake
26	Wood Lake	Exploration of Basswood Lake
27	Snowbank Lake	Northern Loop from Snowbank Southern Loop From Snowbank Loop through Parent and Disappointment Lakes
28	Snowbank Lake Only
29	North Kawishiwi River
30	Lake One	Exploring the Number Chain Wilder / Fire Lake Trip from Lake One
31	Farm Lake	Loop through the Kawishiwi River Triangle
32	South Kawishiwi River	Loop through Clearwater Lake and Lake One
33	Little Gabbro Lake
34	Island River	One-way to Perent Lake
35	Isabella Lake	One Way on the South Kawishiwi River
36	Hog Creek
37	Kawishiwi Lake	Alice Lake Loop
38	Sawbill Lake	Loop through Phoebe, Malberg and Louse Creek Exploration of Alton Lake Cherokee Lake Loop
39	Baker Lake	Cherokee Lake Loop
40	Homer Lake
41	Brule Lake	Brule to Long Island Loop
43	Bower Trout Lake
44	Ram Lake
45	Morgan Lake	Meeds, Omega and Winchell Loop
47	Lizz and Swamp Lake
48	Meeds Lake	Meeds, Horseshoe, Gaskin Loop
49	Skipper and Portage Lakes	Loop through Banadad, Long Island, and Henson
50	Cross Bay Lake	Cherokee, Sawbill, Gillis Lake Voyage
51	Missing Link Lake	Frost River Loop
52	Brant Lake
54	Seagull Lake	Loop through Kekekabic and Little Saganaga Loop through Seagull and Saganaga Lakes
54A	Seagull Lake Only
55	Saganaga Lake	Loop through Seagull and Saganaga Lakes
55A	Saganaga Lake Only	Exploration of Saganaga Lake
57	Magnetic Lake	Granite River Journey to Saganaga
58	South Lake	Rose Lake Round Trip
60	Duncan Lake	Minnesota Mountains
61	Daniels Lake
62	Clearwater Lake	Pike and Pine Lake Loop
64	East Bearskin Lake	Caribou Lake Weekend
66	Crocodile River
67	Bog Lake
68	Pine Lake
69	John Lake
70	North Fowl Lake
75	Little Isabella River
77	South Hegman Lake
80	Larch Creek
84	Snake River	Clearwater Lake Loop

Fees and Cancellations

The cost for an overnight permit during the quota period is $16 per adult and $8 per child, ages 0 to 17.

Holders of the Interagency Senior and Access Pass get a $8 discount, and Interagency Youth Access Pass holders get a $4 discount.

Once you complete your reservation, you will need to put down a $32 deposit to hold the permit, plus a nonrefundable reservation fee of $6. If you are traveling solo, or in a small group where the total user fees are under $32 dollars, you will be refunded the difference upon picking up the permit.

Now, what if something goes awry and you need to cancel your trip?

This $32 is refundable if canceled at least two days in advanced, but the $6 reservation fee is nonrefundable. If you cancel on the entry date or one day before the entry date, you will be charged a penalty of $32.00, any additional amount will be refunded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can be on one BWCA permit?

One permits is issued for each group. Group size is limited to nine people and four canoes or any type of watercraft (such as stand-up paddle boards). The reason for this is that smaller groups have less impact and enhance the experience for everyone.

What if we are traveling before April 30 or after October 1?

In this case, you don’t need to reserve a permit in advance. Simply fill out a self-issued permit at the kiosk located at the entry point.

Why does the Boundary Waters have a permit system?

Quota permits are in place during the most popular times to enter the Boundary Waters (from May 1 to September 30) because it limits the number of people entering each location, prevents overcrowding and preserves the wilderness experience for all visitors.

What if I’m just going in for a day paddle and don’t plan on camping overnight?

Permits for day travel can be self-issued and filled out at the entry point. These don’t need to be reserved in advanced.

Do they mail me my permit?

No. You need to pick your permit up at the designated issuing station the day of or one day before you enter the Boundary Waters.

What if I need to cancel?

You can cancel online or by calling.

Is it okay if I start my BWCA canoe trip a day late or a day earlier than the date that’s on my permit?

No. You can only enter the Boundary Waters on the date and at the entry point that is on your permit.

But it was raining the day I was supposed to go in. Can’t I just wait a day?

Seriously.

Can I transfer my permit to another party?

No. Permits are non transferable.

What if I don’t find a permit for the entry point and the date that I want?

This is why you need to plan early! Once permits are gone, they’re gone. However, there is a chance that someone will cancel their reservation and the permit you want will become available. But don’t count on it!