Your trip should be planned well in advance for two reasons.

• You want to ensure that you obtain a permit for the date you desire to enter on and for the entry point you wish to embark from.
• Most importantly, you want to make sure you are well prepared with proper gear, know-how, and plan to enter the wilderness.

In picking an entry point and route for your trip, you need to pick a route and a schedule which is suited to your groups ability. Your group will be out there on its own so good planning and logistics are a must. Please visit the Boundary Waters group organizer to help with group planning tasks.

This site will provide you with a start to planning your trip, but we highly recommend you leverage books, maps, outfitters, and guides in planning and executing your trip. Outdoor adventure trips, such as a trip into the BWCA, are not without risk. Be Prepared!

Permits are required to enter the BWCA at anytime. From May 1st through Sept. 30th, you must reserve a quota permit to enter the BWCA if your group is planning to camp overnight or enter with a motor in the few lakes in the BWCA with allow motors. This include entry from hiking trails or by watercraft. To enter the BWCA for the day (no-camping) without a motor or between Oct. 1st and April 30th, a self-issuing permit is required. If you are planning to camp or use a motor in the BWCA, then get a permit reserved as soon as you know your plans. Some entry points can fill up months in advance!

Permits are valid for the entry date listed on the permit. Permits cannot be transferred to others. They can be picked-up the day before or the day of the permit, but not sooner. Quota permits are issued at Forest Service issuing station or by a cooperating issuing station (e.g. outfitters and guides). Self-issuing permits forms are available through the mail, at Superior National Forest Service offices, and at some entry points themselves. Note: Do not count on an entry point having available self-issuing permits.

You can obtain permits from outfitters/guides or from the US Forest Service. Outfitters provide trip planning, permits, gear rental, meal plans, and guiding services for the BWCA. Online permit availability for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area can be checked at www.recreation.gov.

Most up-to-date permit information is available on this page: Additional Permit Details

Obtaining a permit:

A watercraft license is not required for: Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html

The Forest Service, who manages the Boundary Waters, allows up to 9 people and 4 watercraft to enter the Boundary Waters as a group. The reason for these limits is to lower the impact of a large group on the environment and to maintain the wilderness experience for all groups. There is no exception to this.

- Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

Yes, dogs are allowed in the BWCA and Quetico Park. In the Quetico Park you must carry certification of a rabies vaccination within the last year. Dogs must be kept in control when portaging in the BWCA, and in the Quetico park, they must always be on a leash. The Forest Service insists you keep your dog under control. And you must clean up after your dog around campsites and portages. Dispose of fecal matter 150 feet from water sources, campsites, and portages, or deposit it in a latrine

• Glass bottles and cans are not allowed in the BWCA except when they are a non-food item such as insect repellent, medicines, fuel, and other necessary item which are not food or beverage. Food should be repackage in plastic, and garbage should be packed out, not burned or buried in the Boundary Waters.
• Fish remains are to be buried away from shore and away from camps, trails, and portages. Previously, it was recommended that fish remains be put on rocks on the shorelines for consumption by birds and other wildlife, however, this is not longer the case.
• Fires are only allowed in the steel metal grates at designated campsites. Fires may also be restricted entirely or during certain times of the day based on the fire danger level. You will be informed by the Forest Service when picking up your permit your ability to have fires in the Boundary Waters.
• Fires should be put out with water before leaving your camp and or retiring for the night. The coals should be cool to the touch.
• Downed and dry wood should be used to make fires. Please collect this wood away from camp where it is plentiful, down, and dry.
• A latrine is available for each campsite. Do not dump any garbage in the latrines. If you are not near a latrine, then dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 150 feet from shore and then cover when finished.
• Bathe and wash dished at least 150 feet from shore.