Photo courtesy of Superior National Forest
If you want to get a permit to go into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) this year, you will have to jump through a few more hoops than in the past.
The Superior National Forest Service recently updated the quota permit issuance process following last season’s unprecedented visitations to the 1,090,000 acres BWCAW.
Last summer there was an unacceptle amount of damage done to the pristine wilderness. Trees were cut. Human waste was not properly disposed of. Trash was left in campfire rings. There were disruptive and oversized groups, and campfires were found left unattended.
To ensure visitors new to the wilderness understand and follow BWCAW regulations and the Leave No Trace Principles, the FS adopted new methods of delivering this information. “It takes a commitment from everyone visiting these treasured lands to ensure that the lakes, waterways, and forests of the BWCAW are protected against resource damage, so the wilderness character is preserved for future generations,” the Forest Service said in a news release.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the forest service offers alternatives to issuing permits in-person and will conduct a “virtual” Leave No Trace “LNT” education program.
All 2021 permit holders will be required to watch three LNT education videos and review the BWCAW regulations and rules before receiving their permit. Permit holders will be required to watch Part 1 and Part 2 of the series before the final step to securing a permit. Video links will be emailed to permit holders at the time of their reservation and two weeks before their entry date. An additional resource to plan a successful trip in the BWCAW Trip Planning Guide.
BWCAW quota permit reservations for the 2021 season will be available beginning at 9 a.m. CST on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Visitors are encouraged to book their reservations for May 1 through September 30 online at www.Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
For the latest updates on the 2021 BWCAW quota permit season, please visit the Forest’s website at: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/specialplaces/?cid=fseprd555184.
Forest offices are available by phone from 8-4:30 Central Time, Monday through Friday. The Forest Service’s primary delivery of service to BWCAW visitors is expected to continue through virtual means (i.e., telephone and online) until further notice.
For more information on travel in this area and all visitor updates, please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/superior. You can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/SuperiorNF or contact us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF/.
Leave a Reply