BWCAW Closed Through May 4 to Honor Stay-At-Home Order

The Minnesota Stay at Home order currently runs through May 4. Out of respect to the order, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will remained closed.

According to the the Superior National Forest Service:

In order to help lessen impacts to local communities while the state’s Stay at Home order is in place, and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) will be closed for both day and overnight use from April 15 through May 4. Reservations made through May 4 will receive a full refund including reservations fees.

Also, to remain in compliance with current social distancing guidelines and ensure the health and safety of all involved, they are also temporarily changing permit pick-up requirements beginning May 5 for all BWCAW quota permits.

Here are two options being made available to visitors:

Print BWCAW Reservation Confirmation Email at home and use this as your permit. This will allow all visitors to travel to their entry point without stopping at a Permit Issue Station, which allows for social distancing.
Pick up the permit in person at a cooperating business that remains physically open and that is under an Agreement with the Forest Service.