BWCA Wilderness Rules and Regulations

TRAVEL PERMITS

  • You must enter the BWCAW at the entry point and on the entry date shown on your permit and may not re-enter on a different date using the same permit.
  • Permit and stubs become invalid when the trip leader exits the wilderness.

    GROUP SIZE
  • Nine (9) people and four (4) watercraft are the maximum allowed together in the wilderness.
  • You may not exceed the limit at any time or anywhere (on water, portages, campsites) in the BWCAW.
  • Smaller groups increase your wilderness experience and decrease the impacts.

    TOILET FACILITIES AND WATER QUALITY
  • Use latrines at designated campsites.
  • Latrines are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose only. Personal waste items such as cigarettes, cotton swabs, or plastic feminine products should always be packed out and should never go into the latrines.
  • If you're not near a latrine, dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 150 feet or more back from the water's edge. When finished, fill hole and cover with needles and leaves.
  • Bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams.
  • All soaps pollute water including soaps labeled "biodegradable."

    CONTAINERS
  • Cans and glass bottles are not allowed.
  • Containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles, and other items that are not foods or beverages are the only cans and bottles you may keep in their original containers.
  • Food may be packaged in plastic containers that must be packed out with you.

    FISH REMAINS
  • Dispose of fish remains by traveling well away from shorelines, campsites, trails and portages.


    CAMPFIRES

  • Fires are allowed within the steel fire grates at designated campsites or as specifically approved on your visitor's permit.
  • Bringing a small camp stove may be a better idea because it heats food more quickly, has less impact than a fire, and comes in handy during rainy weather.
  • Due to the potential fire danger, fire restrictions may be put into effect. Check on current conditions just prior to your trip. You may be required to use a camp stove if there are campfire restrictions.
  • If you build a fire, burn only dead wood found lying on the ground.
  • Collect firewood away from campsites by paddling down the shore and walking into the woods where it is more abundant.
  • Even after forest fires, you may see an ample supply of burned wood near your site. Collect firewood away from campsites to prevent enlarging and defacing the area.
  • Wood easily broken by hand or cut with a small folding saw eliminates the need for an axe.
  • Drown your fire with water any time you are going to be away from your camp or at bedtime. Stir the ashes until they are cold to the touch with a bare hand.

    CAMPSITES
  • Camp only at Forest Service designated campsites that have steel fire grates and wilderness latrines.
  • Make camp early in the day to ensure finding an available campsite.
  • It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason.
  • You may camp up to fourteen (14) consecutive days on a specific site.
  • All members of a permit group must camp together.
    STORING WATERCRAFT
  • Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with your current visit may be stored and left unattended.
  • All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the end of each trip.

    CULTURAL HERITAGE
  • Leave archaeological, historical, and rock painting sites undisturbed.
  • The use of metal detectors is prohibited.

    DOGS IN THE BWCAW
    Dogs impact wildlife and barking intrudes on the experience of others. Dogs must be under control at all times. Dispose of fecal matter 150 feet from water sources, campsites, portages, or deposit in a latrine.

    WHAT RULES APPLY TO FIREARMS? FIREWORKS?
    Discharging a firearm is prohibited within a 150 yards of a campsite or occupied area in an unsafe manner or location that places people or property at risk of injury. State game laws apply in the BWCAW. Fireworks of any kind are illegal.

    MOTOR-POWERED WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS

    No other motorized or mechanized equipment (including pontoon boats, sailboats, sailboards) is allowed. All other lakes or portions of lakes within the BWCAW are paddle-only. Motors may not be used or be in possession on any paddle-only lake. Motor-powered watercraft are permitted only on following designated lakes:

    LAKES WITH A 10 HORSEPOWER LIMIT
    On these lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 6 horsepower is permitted, as long as motors in use do not exceed 10 horsepower.

  • Clearwater
  • North Fowl
  • South Fowl
  • Seagull (no motors generally west of Three Mile Island)
  • Sections of Island River within the BWCAW.

    LAKES WITH A 25 HORSEPOWER LIMIT
    On these lakes or portions of these lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 10 horsepower is permitted, as long as motors in use do not exceed 25 horsepower.

  • Basswood (except that portion north of Jackfish Bay and Washington Island)
  • Saganaga (except that portion west of American Point).
  • Fall
  • Newton
  • Moose
  • Newfound
  • Sucker
  • Snowbank
  • East Bearskin
  • South Farm
  • Trout

    LAKES WITH NO HORSEPOWER LIMITS

  • Little Vermilion
  • Loon
  • Lac La Croix (not beyond the south end of Snow Bay in the U.S.A.)
  • Loon River.


    PORTAGE WHEELS
    Mechanical assistance is only permitted over the following: International Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Fall-Newton-Pipestone and Back Bay Portages into Basswood Lake, Prairie Portage, Vermilion-Trout Lake Portage.

     

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