BWCA Entry Points

These entry points must be used to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. You cannot enter the BWCA legally except from these official entry points.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a roadless and unmotorized area.  Therefore, the entry points into the BWCA surround it, along its edges.  Many roads leading to the entry points are forest roads and of packed gravel; some are paved however.  Once at the entry point, there is often a portage of some sort to move your gear from the parking lot down to the water’s edge.  These portages can be trivial to really long.  You must have a permit from the U.S. Forest Service to enter the BWCA and you must enter on the day shown on your permit.  Also, you must enter at one of these entry points.  Note that if you just want to visit for the day (no overnight), you can find a day permit box at each entry point.  Fill out the day permit and carry it with you.  This is all you need to do if you just plan to be here for the day.  Day permits are free.  The permit system is in effect to reduce impact to the wilderness, limit the number of people competing for campsites and to allow for some solitude. Visit the U.S. Forest Service Reservation website to reserve your entry point date.

BWCA Entry Points Map
Click on the active areas of the map above, or click a link in the table below.

Table below shows BWCA Entry Points sorted by Entry Point Number

(Click this link to see BWCA Entry Points sorted by name. Click this link for Quetico Provincial Park Entry Points.)

Note that permit quotas are sometimes revised (permanently or temporarily) depending on conditions in the BWCA.

BWCA Entry Point #
BWCA Entry Point Name
Daily Quota
Nearest Forest Service Office Entry Point Details
1
Trout Lake
12
Cook; LaCroix Ranger Station on U.S. Hwy 53 Nearest boat launch is on Moccasin Point on Lake Vermillion. It's about 3.5 miles from Moccasin Point to the Trout Lake portage.
4
Crab Lake
3
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Use the Burntside Lake County Road 404 Public Water Access. It's about 2.5 miles from the access to the Crab Lake portage.
6
Slim Lake
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Somewhat rough one lane road from North Arm Road to entry point parking lot. Parking lot is small and can be tight on busy summer weekends.
7
Big Lake (from)
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Across the road from the Stuart River entry point. There is a dock and restroom here.
8
Moose River SOUTH
1 (every other day)
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 One permit every other day. Small parking lot on either side of road. Accessed from Forest Road 464.
9
Little Indian Sioux SOUTH
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 39 miles from Ely along the Echo Trail. Small parking lot. No restroom. Scenic trail to hike along the Little Indian Sioux River.
10
Norway Trail
999
Cook; LaCroix Ranger Station on U.S. Hwy 53 Leads to the North Arm of Trout Lake. Two trailheads. The south trailhead is the shortest and offers a 2 mile out and back hike to Trout Lake. Route Map.
11
Blandin Trail
999
Cook; LaCroix Ranger Station on U.S. Hwy 53 Primarily a winter route to Lamb Lake. Can also be hiked in the summer.
12
Little Vermillion Lake
6
Cook; LaCroix Ranger Station on U.S. Hwy 53 Start at the access in Crane Lake, MN. Shuttle service/tow is recommended across Crane Lake to Little Vermillion Lake.
12A
Lac LaCroix ONLY
6
Cook; LaCroix Ranger Station on U.S. Hwy 53 Start at the access in Crane Lake, MN. Shuttle service/tow is recommended across Crane Lake to Little Vermillion Lake and the Loon River. Must camp all nights on Lac LaCroix.
14
Little Indian Sioux NORTH
4
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 39 miles from Ely along the Echo Trail just past BWCA Entry Point 9. Restroom.
15
Sioux-Hustler Trail
999
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Sign for the access road along the Echo Trail before the two Little Indian Sioux entry points.
16
Moose/Portage River NORTH
5
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 If you are coming from Ely, this access road is one mile past the eastern turnoff for Forest Road 464. There is a sign at that point showing it is 1 mile further. There is a restroom here.
19
Stuart River
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 This entry point involves a 450 rod portage. There are no campsites along the Stuart River until you reach Stuart Lake, so start early.
20
Angleworm Lake
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 A two mile portage from the parking lot to Angleworm Lake.
21
Angleworm Lake Trail
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 This trail is also the same as the Angleworm Lake portage. The trail however circumnavigates Angleworm Lake once it reaches the lake.
22
Mudro Lake RESTRICTED
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 30 rod portage to lake. A permit for this entry point disallows camping on Horse Lake
23
Mudro Lake
5
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 30 rod portage to lake
24
Fall Lake
14
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Campground with a huge parking lot. Entry point can be busy. Close to Ely.
25
Moose Lake
27
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Highest quota entry point for BWCA. Can be very busy. Large parking lot.
26
Wood Lake
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Fairly long portage to the lake. Short drive from Ely.
27
Snowbank Lake
8
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Unload gear near lake and launch canoe from dock. Bad entry point if it is windy.
28
Snowbank Lake RESTRICTED
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Unload gear near lake and launch canoe from dock. Bad entry point if it is windy. You must camp all nights on Snowbank Lake with this permit.
29
North Kawishiwi River
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 To reach BWCA, must portage to and pass through Ojibwe Lake and Triangle Lake.
30
Lake One
13
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Nice beach landing area. Paved road all the way to entry point via the Fernberg Road.
30F
Lake One (restricted)
0
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 No permits are being issued for this entry point (as of 2022 season). Nice beach landing area. Paved road all the way to entry point via the Fernberg Road.
31
Farm Lake (from)
3
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Boat access on west side of lake off of Hwy. 16 (Kawishiwi Trail).
32
South Kawishiwi River
2
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 The 147 rod portage is in good condition.
33
Little Gabbro Lake
2/1 (every other day)
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Located 6 miles down gravel road from MN Hwy. 1. Portage to lake is 290 rods, but very walkable.
34
Island River
2
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 From entry point it is 1.5 miles to Isabella River. Also provides access to pictograph site just outside BWCA.
35
Isabella Lake
3
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 Area is within the 2011 Pagami Fire zone. Desolate but pretty landscape.
36
Hog Creek
4
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 Just up the road from the Kawishiwi Lake Campground. Only route option is to Perent Lake and the Perent River.
37
Kawishiwi Lake
7
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 The entry point is also the location of the Kawishiwi Lake Campground. It is a fairly long drive on dirt roads out to this entry point and campground. Unload right next to lake.
38
Sawbill Lake
11
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 You can park near the lake to unload gear. There is a dock here. The parking lot is across the road next to the Sawbill Canoe Outfitters Lodge.
39
Baker Lake
2
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 Next to the Baker Lake Campground.
40
Homer Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station This entry point offers relatively few route options. Landing is very good with a cement ramp, sand and smooth gravel.
41
Brule Lake
7
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station At the end of the Brule Lake Road. Entry point parking lot shared by Brule Lake ONLY #42 and Brule Lake Trail #78. Canoe landing is excellent.
42
Brule Lake ONLY
0
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station No permits are being issued for this entry point (as of 2022 season). At the end of the Brule Lake Road. Entry point parking lot shared by Brule Lake #41 and Brule Lake Trail #78. Canoe landing is excellent. Must camp all nights on Brule Lake.
43
Bower Trout Lake
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access road just south of T-intersection of Forest Road 152 and Forest Road 325. Access road is 1/2 mile long and fairly rough. Easy 80 rod portage from parking lot to lake.
44
Ram Lake
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is just north of T-intersection of Forest Road 152 and Forest Road 325.
45
Morgan Lake
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is about 2 miles north of junction of Forest Road 152 and Forest Road 315 (Lima Grade).
47
Lizz and Swamp Lakes
3
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access from Poplar Lake to both Lizz and Swamp Lakes. The two Lizz Lake portages are easy.
48
Meeds Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Requires a 290 rod portage from Poplar Lake. If you are trying to decide between Meeds Lake and Skipper Lake (#49), the Skipper Lake portage is easier, even though it is slightly longer.
49
Skipper & Portage Lakes
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Requires a 317 rod portage from Poplar Lake. Also possible to enter from Iron Lake via a 230 rod portage (less common) to Portage Lake.
50
Cross Bay Lake
3
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Entry is actually into the Cross River. From the Gunflint Trail, three entry points are available along this road (#50 as wells as #51 Missing Link Lake and #52 Brant Lake just down the road).
51
Missing Link Lake
5
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Entry is actually at Round Lake. You must cross Round Lake before portaging into Missing Link Lake. From the Gunflint Trail, three entry points are available along this road (#50 as wells as #51 Missing Link Lake and #52 Brant Lake just down the road).
52
Brant Lake
4
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Entry is actually at Round Lake. You must cross Round Lake, West Round Lake and then Edith Lake before portaging into Brant Lake. From the Gunflint Trail, three entry points are available along this road (#50 as wells as #51 Missing Link Lake and #52 Brant Lake just down the road).
54
Seagull Lake
8
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station The boat landing is on the east end of the lake off the Gunflint Trail.
54A
Seagull Lake ONLY
0
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station No permits are being issued for this entry point (as of 2022 season). The boat landing is on the east end of the lake off the Gunflint Trail.
55
Saganaga Lake
15
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Boat landing on Saganaga Lake Trail at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
55A
Saganaga Lake ONLY
0
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station No permits are being issued for this entry point (as of 2022 season). Boat landing on Saganaga Lake Trail at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
56
Kekekabic Trail (east)
999
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Trailhead along west side of Gunflint Trail, just south of the Magnetic Rock Trailhead.
57
Magnetic Lake
3
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is from Gunflint Lake. Paddle one mile across Gunflint Lake to reach Magnetic Lake.
58
South Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is at Gunflint Lake. It's over 11 miles of paddling and a couple portages to reach South Lake.
59
Partridge Lake Trail (also called South Lake Trail)
999
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station This is usually referred to as the South Lake Trail.
60
Duncan Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is on south side of West Bearskin Lake from the Hungry Jack Lake Road 2.5 miles from its intersection with the Gunflint Trail. You must paddle across West Bearskin Lake to reach Duncan Lake portage.
61
Daniels Lake
3
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is on south side of West Bearskin Lake from the Hungry Jack Lake Road 2.5 miles from its intersection with the Gunflint Trail. You must paddle across West Bearskin Lake to reach Daniels Lake portage.
62
Clearwater Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Boat access is near the west end of the lake along the north shoreline, not far past the Clearwater Historic Lodge. Follow Clearwater Road to its end.
64
East Bearskin
3
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station The boat access is located at the East Bearskin Lake Campground on the west end of the lake. From the Gunflint Trail, follow East Bearskin Road.
66
Crocodile River
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Limited trip options. Mostly an out and back route. Must camp on Crocodile Lake.
67
Bog Lake
2
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 The portage from the parking lot out to the lake if fairly rugged. There are no other routes from Bog Lake.
68
Pine Lake
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is at McFarland Lake. Short portage from McFarland Lake to Pine Lake.
69
John Lake
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is at McFarland Lake. Must paddle across Little John Lake to reach John Lake.
70
North Fowl Lake
2
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Access is at McFarland Lake. From access, must paddle across Little John Lake and a small part of John Lake. From John Lake, follow the Royal River which has two portages (80 rods and 160 rods) to reach North Fowl Lake.
71
From Canada
3
  This entry point is only used when the trip starts in Canada and then enters into the BWCA.
74
Kekekabic Trail (west) / Snowbank Lake Trail
999
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 This is the entry point for both the Kekekabic Trail (heading west) and the Snowbank Lake Trail. The Kekekabic Trail starts across the road.
75
Little Isabella River
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Long arduous drive out the the entry point parking lot. Portage to river is an easy 33 rods downhill.
76
Big Moose Lake Trail
999
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 A 2.5 mile one way hike to the north shore of Big Moose Lake. Return same route. There is a beautiful campsite at the end of the trail on the lake.
77
South Hegman Lake
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Entry point for visiting the North Hegman Lake pictographs.
78
Brule Lake Trail
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station At the end of the Brule Lake Road. Entry point parking lot shared by Brule Lake #41 and Brule Lake ONLY #42. Canoe landing is excellent. Actual trailhead is located 1/4 mile down the road from parking lot (you pass it on the way to the parking lot on the right).
79
Eagle Mountain Trail
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station This place can be very busy on Saturday's.
80
Larch Creek
1
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station A creek paddle to Larch Lake. Not recommended when water levels are really low.
81
Border Route Trail (west)
999
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station Trailhead on north/east side of County 12 (Gunflint Trail). The trailhead for the Kekekabic Trail (east) is just down the road on other side of highway. This is also the trailhead for the Magnetic Rock Trail.
82
Border Route Trail (center)
999
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station 65 mile long trail connecting the Superior Hiking Trail to the Kekekabic Trail. Accessible from several points along the Gunflint Trail.
83
Border Route Trail (east)
999
Grand Marais on Hwy. 61; Gunflint Ranger Station 65 mile long trail connecting the Superior Hiking Trail to the Kekekabic Trail. Accessible from several points along the Gunflint Trail.
84
Snake River
1
Ely; Kawishiwi Ranger Station on Minnesota Hwy. 1 Fairly long drive from Ely with a long period of driving on dirt roads. The final mile is a rugged road. Portage of 198 rods to river is in very good condition.
86
Powwow Trail
999
Tofte; Tofte Ranger Station on Hwy. 61 Trail severely damaged by 2011 Pagami Creek Fire.

 
PMA #1: Weeny PMA #4: Tick PMA #7: Pitfall PMA #10: Hairy
PMA #2: Canthook PMA #5: Spider PMA #8: Mugwump PMA #11: Weasel
PMA #3: Sundial PMA #6: Drag PMA #9: Humpback PMA #12: Fungus
- www.BWCAwild.com - All Rights Reserved.
All images, videos and text property of www.BWCAwild.com - No reuse without permission.
DISCLAIMER AND TERMS OF USE --- CONTACT US --- PRIVACY POLICY