BWCA Camp Site

**Introduction / Overview: The BWCA Campsite Experience**

For Minnesotans, the reference to a **BWCA Camp Site** immediately conjures images of the purest, most remote wilderness experience our state offers: the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**. Spanning over a million acres of the **Superior National Forest**, the BWCAW provides more than 2,000 designated, primitive campsites across over a thousand lakes. Unlike developed campgrounds, a BWCA campsite is an opportunity for total immersion into nature, with no electricity, running water, or modern amenities—a truly profound separation from everyday life.

While a specific site number is not provided, the location given—**Fall Lake Township, MN 55731**—places us near one of the most popular and versatile access points: **Entry Point 24 (Fall Lake)**. This specific entry point is often referred to as the "deluxe" way into the wilderness due to the presence of the nearby developed Fall Lake Campground and outfitting services. However, the campsites themselves, once inside the actual BWCA wilderness boundary beyond the portages, conform to the strict, minimal standards that preserve this rare landscape. They are chosen by paddlers daily on a first-come, first-served basis once they enter the permit-designated area, meaning securing a quality site is part of the daily adventure.

**Location and Accessibility**

The region is located in the northernmost part of Minnesota’s "Arrowhead" region, near the gateway community of **Ely, MN**. Access to a BWCA Campsite is governed entirely by the entry point system. The Fall Lake area provides access via **Entry Point 24 (EP 24)**.

To reach the general vicinity, travelers head east from Ely on Highway 169 (which becomes County Road 18), then follow County Road 182 and Fall Lake Road to the boat landing and permit issue station. The Fall Lake Entry Point is unique because it allows for both **paddle and motor travel** (up to 25 HP) on Fall Lake itself, which simplifies the initial stages of a trip. However, to truly reach the remote, primitive campsites deep within the wilderness, travelers must leave the motorized section of Fall Lake and begin **portaging** (carrying canoes and gear overland) into the non-motorized zones like Newton Lake and beyond toward Basswood or Mud Lakes. This transition marks the true beginning of the wilderness camping experience, requiring all visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for multi-day canoe travel.

**Services Offered**

Services at any designated BWCA Campsite are intentionally minimal to maintain the wilderness character. The goal is to provide basic, hardened infrastructure to concentrate human impact and adhere to **Leave No Trace (LNT)** principles.

Services at any designated BWCA Campsite include:

• **Wilderness Latrine**: Each site is equipped with a secluded **wilderness latrine** (a primitive pit toilet) to ensure proper waste disposal away from water sources and camp areas.
• **Fire Grate**: A single, U.S. Forest Service-provided **metal fire grate** is installed at every campsite for safe, contained fires and cooking.
• **Established Tent Pads**: While not formalized platforms, the sites feature clear, established areas (pads) that are relatively flat and rock-free for pitching tents, minimizing impact on the surrounding vegetation.
• **Canoe Landing**: A designated spot on the shoreline, whether it be rock, mud, or a small beach, is used for landing and securing canoes and watercraft.
• **Permit System**: Entry and overnight stays require a **Quota Permit** (May 1 - Sept 30) or a self-issued permit (off-season) to manage visitor numbers and preserve solitude.
• **No Potable Water**: Campers must collect lake water and treat it themselves by **filtering, boiling, or chemical purification**.
• **Pack In, Pack Out**: Visitors must adhere to the strict rule of **packing out all garbage and refuse**; no trash disposal facilities are provided within the wilderness.
• **Group Size Limit**: A maximum of **nine people and four watercraft** is enforced per site and per traveling group at all times.

**Features and Highlights**

The highlights of a BWCA Camp Site are its natural features, solitude, and the surrounding opportunities for outdoor adventure in the heart of the North Woods.

Key features and highlights include:

• **Unmatched Solitude**: The absence of motorized vehicles (past the entry lake) and the limited permit quotas ensure an experience of **expansive solitude** and quiet contemplation rarely found in developed areas.
• **Pristine Waters**: The interconnected lakes and streams offer **world-class paddling and fishing**, particularly for **walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass**.
• **Wildlife Abundance**: The deep forest is home to classic Minnesota wildlife, including **moose, black bear, beaver, otter, and the iconic Common Loon**, offering unforgettable viewing opportunities.
• **Rugged Topography**: The landscape features exposed bedrock ridges, towering cliffs, and boreal forest—the signature results of glacial sculpting that create stunning scenic views.
• **Historical Route**: Paddling the BWCA is following the historic routes of the **Voyageurs** and Indigenous peoples, connecting you directly to the rich history of the region.
• **Star-Gazing Opportunities**: Far from city light pollution, the area is perfect for enjoying crystal-clear night skies and often viewing the **Northern Lights**.
• **First-Come, First-Served Discovery**: The excitement of securing a coveted site upon arrival (after obtaining your entry permit) adds an element of adventure, ensuring you are always on the lookout for the perfect lakeside view or sheltered cove.

**Contact Information**

Direct contact for a specific BWCA campsite is not possible. All contact is managed through the U.S. Forest Service, which administers the wilderness.

Address: Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA (Generally accessed via BWCA Entry Point 24 near Ely, MN)

Phone (Kawishiwi Ranger District, Superior National Forest): (218) 365-7600

Permit Reservations: Recreation.gov (Search BWCA Quota Permits)

**What is Worth Choosing a BWCA Campsite**

Choosing a BWCA Campsite is choosing an experience that is fundamental to the Minnesota identity. It is worth choosing because it forces you to meet nature on its own terms and provides a **unique level of challenge and personal reward**. For those of us in Minnesota, the Boundary Waters represents the ultimate disconnect from technology and the ultimate reconnection with the natural world. Specifically, the campsites accessed via the Fall Lake Entry Point (EP 24) are attractive because they offer an accessible "soft entry" to the wilderness—outfitters, motor use on the initial lake, and amenities at the adjacent Fall Lake Campground—while still providing quick access to the deep, primitive experience.

You choose a BWCA site for the thrill of casting a line into a lake few motors have touched, the quiet satisfaction of boiling filtered lake water for morning coffee, and the pure joy of watching a moose wade through a bay near your tent. The mandatory portaging and self-reliance instill a deep respect for the land and yourself. If your goal is expansive solitude, unparalleled natural beauty, and a chance to experience the North Woods in the spirit of the Voyageurs, then securing a permit and paddling toward a secluded BWCA campsite is the most authentic choice Minnesota has to offer.