Big Lake Campsite #4

**Introduction / Overview: Your Slice of the Boundary Waters on Big Lake**

For Minnesotans venturing to the iconic **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**, **Big Lake Campsite #4** (often noted as #2099 on some maps) presents a unique opportunity. This campsite holds a distinct status: it is the **only official BWCA designated campsite** on the entirety of Big Lake. This makes it a rare and valuable destination for paddlers seeking the true, regulated wilderness experience on a lake that otherwise features resorts and some motorboat activity.

Big Lake itself is large, popular for its excellent walleye fishing (regularly stocked by the Minnesota DNR), and serves as a crucial entry point (EP #7) into the non-motorized BWCA interior. Campsite #4 is strategically situated on the lake's southwestern shoreline, which is the only segment of the lake officially within the protected wilderness boundary. This means campers here benefit from the primitive, self-sufficient nature of the BWCA while remaining close to the amenities and outfitters located on the rest of the lake.

The campsite provides a rugged, back-to-basics experience, noted for its minimalistic accommodations—a deliberate characteristic of BWCA sites compared to developed campgrounds. It offers a large, natural landing area, making it an excellent base for launching day trips or transitioning into deeper wilderness routes, such as the challenging portages leading to Lapond Lake or the Portage River. This site is the perfect choice for experienced local paddlers seeking a quick-access BWCA stay with rewarding fishing and isolation.

**Location and Accessibility: The Wilderness Line on Big Lake**

Big Lake Campsite #4 is located within the **Superior National Forest** and the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness** boundary on the southwest shore of Big Lake.

The site's general administrative area is: **Ely, MN 55731, USA**.

**Accessibility:**

• **Canoe/Boat Access:** The campsite is only accessible by water. It is situated on a small, shallow bay on the southwest shore of Big Lake.
• **Entry Point:** Access is gained via **BWCA Entry Point #7 (Big Lake)**. The lake is approximately 21 miles northwest of Ely via County Road 116 (Echo Trail).
• **Paddle to the Site:** From the Entry Point landing, paddling to the campsite can take approximately an hour, depending on wind conditions, as Big Lake can be notoriously difficult to paddle when winds are high. Paddlers must navigate the lake's large expanse to reach the secluded BWCA shoreline.
• **Motorized Access Note:** Big Lake is outside the main BWCA motorized restriction zone, meaning motorboats are allowed on the lake. However, once you are on Campsite #4, you are within the BWCA and must adhere to all wilderness regulations.
• **Key Marker:** The site is close to a prominent point and an island, with the Big Lake Wilderness Lodge visible about a half mile away around a point to the north/northeast.

A valid BWCA overnight quota permit for Entry Point #7 is strictly required to camp or stand on this site during the quota season (May 1 - September 30).

**Services Offered**

As the only BWCA site on Big Lake, Campsite #4 provides the standard primitive services expected within the wilderness, emphasizing simplicity and minimizing environmental impact. Notably, BWCA sites lack non-wilderness amenities like picnic tables.

**Campsite-Specific Services (Primitive BWCA Standard):**

• **Designated Tent Pads:** The site contains **two obvious tent pads**, suitable for accommodating small to medium-sized groups (up to the 9-person maximum).
• **Steel Fire Grate:** A permanent, designated fire ring with a steel cooking grate, although one review noted the "fireplace configuration was rather minimalistic" and not as built up as non-BWCA sites.
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A designated latrine (thunderbox) is available on the site, situated away from the camp area and water source to ensure proper sanitation.
• **Natural Canoe Landing:** A **"large tabular rock platform makes for a nice landing zone"** which provides easy, excellent shoreline access for unloading and securing canoes.
• **Water Source:** Water must be sourced directly from Big Lake and **must be filtered, purified, or boiled** for drinking.

**BWCA Wilderness-Wide Requirements & Notes:**

• **First-Come, First-Served:** Campsites are non-reservable and available to the first permitted group to arrive.
• **No Picnic Tables:** Unlike developed campgrounds, no picnic tables are provided, aligning with BWCA primitive standards.
• **Bear Awareness:** Proper food storage using bear barrels or established bear-hanging techniques is mandatory due to the active black bear population in the Superior National Forest.

**Features / Highlights**

Campsite #4's defining highlights revolve around its unique BWCA status on a popular lake, its superior landing, and its value as an access point.

• **Exclusive BWCA Status:** This is the **only campsite on Big Lake that is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area**, providing a sense of achievement and seclusion not found at the lake's non-BWCA backcountry sites or resorts.
• **Excellent Shoreline Landing:** The site features a **large, flat, tabular rock platform** that serves as a superb canoe landing, making loading, unloading, and securing watercraft exceptionally easy and safe.
• **Strategic View:** The view direction is generally to the south across the small, shallow bay, offering a more intimate and protected water view compared to the main, wind-prone expanse of Big Lake.
• **Gateway to the Wilderness:** The campsite is a strategic stop before committing to the long and difficult portages that lead deeper into the non-motorized BWCA interior, such as the route to Lapond Lake or the Portage River.
• **Premier Walleye Fishing:** Big Lake is known for decent walleye fishing, offering excellent opportunities for anglers looking for "numbers rather than size" in the mildly bog-stained waters.
• **Close to Amenities (Yet Secluded):** The proximity to the Big Lake Entry Point, outfitters, and resorts means supplies or emergency access is closer than at sites deep in the BWCA, offering a layer of reassurance for first-time wilderness trippers.

The site's rustic nature means it focuses on function and wilderness immersion over comfort, which is its inherent highlight.

**Contact Information**

As a BWCA campsite, all administrative matters are handled by the U.S. Forest Service.

**Permit and Information Contact (Kawishiwi Ranger District):**

1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731

**Phone (Kawishiwi Ranger District - Superior National Forest):**

(218) 365-7600

**Reservations/Permits:**

Overnight BWCA permits for **Entry Point #7 (Big Lake)** are required during the quota season (May 1 - September 30) and must be reserved in advance via the U.S. Forest Service through Recreation.gov. Campsite #4 is then claimed on a **first-come, first-served** basis.

**What is Worth Choosing: The Best of Both Worlds**

Choosing Big Lake Campsite #4 is an excellent choice for Minnesota paddlers who want the authenticity of the BWCA experience without fully committing to the deep, multi-day routes immediately.

**This site is highly recommended for:**

• **Beginner BWCA Trippers:** It provides a safe, accessible introduction to the BWCA rules (primitive camping, latrine use, fire grate, no tables) while remaining on a motorized lake where a rescue or resupply is less complex than in the deep wilderness.
• **Fishing Enthusiasts:** Its location on the highly-stocked Big Lake makes it a prime base camp for serious walleye fishing, allowing anglers to maximize their time on the water.
• **Quick-Trip Wilderness Access:** For locals planning a short, two-night trip, this site offers immediate access to a designated BWCA spot, providing true wilderness solitude just an hour's paddle from the entry point.
• **Superior Functionality:** The exceptional rock platform landing is a significant practical advantage, ensuring smooth and safe handling of canoes and gear, particularly beneficial on a large, potentially windy lake.

Big Lake Campsite #4 offers the best of both worlds: the rugged beauty and regulations of the BWCA, paired with the relative convenience and stellar fishing of a major Ely-area lake.