7/26 Good News! Limited access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now available! Boundary Waters Day Use permits open at select Cook County Entry Points on Monday July 27th, although overnight permits are still cancelled through July 29, 2026.
The BWCAW was closed on July 14th at 12:01am after a lightning storm created a surge of wildfires across the forest, predominanty in the Ely area. In an effort to re-open select areas of the BWCA (as fire activity, weather and resources allows) the Forest Service will continue to evaluate BWCA quota permit points daily.
Specific entry points in our area that will be opening to Day Use Only on Monday, July 27th:
-Sawbill Lake
-Baker Lake
-Homer Lake
-Brule Lake
In additon to day trips opening, there is also a proposal for opening select entry points of overnight use. In an effort to re-open select areas of the BWCA, the Forest Service continues to evaluate fire activity, weather and resources daily. Forest Officials anticipate the ability to open select BWCA entry points on Thursday, July 30, barring no significant wildfire activity. The proposal, when implemented, would open access to overnight use at 37 of the 103 quota entry points and re-open approximately 424, 231 acres (39%) of the BWCA to the public. We expect an announcement from the Forest Service with a final decision on the proposed reopening on Monday, July 27th.
The entry points under consideration for opening include select entry points in the Gunflint Ranger District, Kawishiwi Ranger District, and LaCroix Ranger District. In the Tofte District, the area closest to us, the following entry points are being considered:
- #34 Island River
- #35 Isabella Lake
- #36 Hog Creek
- #37 Kawishiwi Lake
- #38 Sawbill Lake
- #39 Baker Lake
- #40 Homer Lake
- #41 Brule Lake
- #67 Bog Lake
- #75 Little Isbella River
- #84 Snake River
Welcome back to the BWCA!
-Gary