Boundary Waters, Entry Points, BWCA

Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) - Entry Points

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has specified entry points for entry by watercraft or hiking. The entry points surround the 1,000,000+ acres of land which makes up the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Certainly BWCA entry points allow motor boat entry, but most are designated for non-motor access and require a portage of watercraft and gear from the parking area to the landing. Permits are required to enter the BWCA and are overnight permits reserved for a specific entry day and entry point. Overnight camping and day use motor permits are restricted by entry point to only so many reservations per calendar day. This reduces impact to the environment and attempts to manage the availability camp sites and privacy in the Boundary Waters.

Click on the Boundary Waters entry point name below to view details

        Entry Name Entry # Permits Per Day Nearest FS Office Miles to Office
Overnight Paddle Only
        Crab Lake and Cummings from Burntside Lake 4 3 Ely 23
        Slim Lake 6 2 Ely 23
        Big Lake 7 2 Ely 28
        Moose River (south) 8 1 permit every other day Ely 39
        Little Indian Sioux River (south) 9 1 permit every other day Ely 44
        Little Indian Sioux River (north) 14 6 Ely 32
        Moose/Portage River (north) 16 5 Ely 27
        Stuart River 19 1 Ely 28
        Angleworm Lake 20 2 Ely 18
        Mudro Lake (restricted--no camping on Horse Lake) 22 2 Ely 19
        Mudro Lake 23 5 Ely 19
        Wood Lake 26 2 Ely 13
        Snowbank Lake Only 28 1 Ely 24
        North Kawishiwi River 29 1 Ely 15
        Lake One 30 13 Ely 21
        South Kawishiwi River 32 2 Ely 21
        Little Gabbro Lake 33 1.5 Ely 23
        Island River 34 2 Grand Marais 19
        Isabella Lake 35 2 Isabella 21
        Hog Creek 36 4 Isabella; Tofte 30
        Kawishiwi Lake 37 7 Isabella; Tofte 33
        Sawbill Lake 38 11 Tofte 25
        Baker Lake 39 2 Tofte 26
        Homer Lake 40 2 Tofte 33
        Brule Lake 41 7 Tofte 35
        Bower Trout Lake 43 1 Grand Marais 25
        Ram Lake 44 1 Grand Marais 26
        Morgan Lake 45 1 Grand Marais 26
        Lizz and Swamp Lakes 47 3 Grand Marais 34
        Meeds Lake 48 2 Grand Marais 28
        Skipper and Portage Lakes 49 2 Grand Marais 28
        Cross Bay Lake 50 3 Grand Marais 45
        Missing Link Lake 51 5 Grand Marais 45
        Brant Lake 52 4 Grand Marais 45
        Seagull Lake Only 54A 0 (No permits) Grand Marais 50
        Saganaga Lake Only 55A 0 (No permits) Grand Marais 55
        Magnetic Lake 57 3 Grand Marais 47
        South Lake 58 2 Grand Marais 47
        Duncan Lake 60 2 Grand Marais 30
        Daniels Lake 61 1 Grand Marais 33
        Crocodile River 66 1 Grand Marais 26
        Bog Lake 67 1 Isabella 28
        Pine Lake 68 1 Grand Marais 60
        John Lake 69 1 Grand Marais 69
        North Fowl Lake 70 2 Grand Marais 60
        From CANADA 71 3 All offices 0
        Little Isabella River 75 1 Isabella 30
        South Hegman Lake 77 1.5 (varies by day) Ely 16
        Larch Creek 80 1 Grand Marais 53
        Snake River 84 1 Isabella 30
Overnight Paddle Or Motor
        Trout Lake 1 12 Cook 30
        Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake) 12 6 Cook 45
        Lac LaCroix Only 12A 6 Cook 45
        Fall Lake 24 14 Ely 7
        Moose Lake 25 27 Ely 21
        Snowbank Lake 27 8 Ely 24
        Farm Lake 31 3 Ely 7
        Seagull Lake 54 8 Grand Marais 50
        Saganaga Lake 55 15 Grand Marais 55
        Clearwater Lake 62 2 Grand Marais 33
        East Bearskin Lake 64 3 Grand Marais 26
Day-use Motor
        Trout Lake A 2 Cook 30
        Fall Lake Only C Varies by week Ely 7
        Fall Lake and Beyond D Varies by week Ely 7
        Moose Lake Chain Only F Varies by week Ely 7
        Moose Lake to Prairie Portage G Varies by week Ely 21
        Snowbank Lake H 2 Ely 24
        South Farm Lake I 2 Ely 7
        Saganaga Lake J 2 Grand Marais 55
        Seagull Lake K 2 Grand Marais 50
        Clearwater Lake L Varies by week Grand Marais 33
        East Bearskin Lake M Varies by week Grand Marais 33