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The U.S. Forest Service reports that in 2020 the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) saw 15,000 more visitors than the previous four-year average.
The BWCAW is just over one million acres in size and stretches nearly 150 miles along the international border adjacent to Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park. The BWCAW has more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites; it is one of the most frequented wilderness parks in the U.S.
Since 2016, the BWCAW has averaged about 150,000 visitors, but last year 165,918 folks ventured into the pristine canoe park/wilderness.
That increase in attendance occurred even though the BWCAW was closed to all visitors until May 4 and closed to overnight visits until May 18, because of the pandemic.
The increase in outdoor vacationers benefited outfitters and lodges. Unfortunately, some of the new visitors caused damage to campsites, abandoned garbage, and cut down live trees for campfires, etc.
Because of the problems experienced last year, the Forest Service has mandated “No Trace” training for visitors before they can venture into the BWCAW. This training is part of the permit application process.
Bookings are strong again for 2021, so the Forest Service expects another busy summer in the wilderness.
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