BWCA Campsite #1113

**BWCA Campsite #1113: The Accessible Edge of the Boundary Waters**

For many Minnesotans, the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** is the pinnacle of outdoor adventure. **BWCA Campsite #1113** offers a compelling entry point into this million-acre sanctuary, specifically due to its unique location on **Fall Lake**. Unlike most BWCA entry points where motors are strictly prohibited, Fall Lake is one of the few motor-permitted entry lakes, allowing a 25-horsepower motor maximum. This characteristic makes Campsite #1113 an exceptionally attractive choice for local anglers, families with small children, or groups with mixed abilities who still seek the solitude and beauty of the BWCA without committing to long, exclusively paddle-and-portage routes on the very first day.

Located within the general area of **Fall Lake Township**, Campsite #1113 provides a designated, primitive space—a true base camp experience. While the surrounding area is vast wilderness, this campsite is conveniently situated near the busy hub of **Ely**, often considered the gateway to the Boundary Waters. Like all BWCA sites, it demands a commitment to the **Leave No Trace** ethic, requiring campers to be fully self-sufficient and prepared to pack out all waste. The site itself, known simply by its number, is one of the hundreds managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the **Superior National Forest**, offering a vital link between developed amenities and deep, quiet wilderness. It is an ideal starting point for a multi-day trip, allowing groups to establish camp quickly before venturing deeper into the paddle-only lakes like Newton, Basswood, or Mud.

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**Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #1113 is located on **Fall Lake**, a large lake that straddles the boundary between the developed area near Ely and the federally protected wilderness. The campsite is situated on the wilderness side of the lake or near one of the restricted portages leading deeper into the BWCA.

* **Nearest Community:** The site is easily accessed from **Ely, MN**, located about six miles east of the city via Highway 169 (which becomes County Road 18) and a final turn onto County Road 182. * **Entry Point:** Access to the lake is via **BWCA Entry Point #24 (Fall Lake)**, which features a US Forest Service boat landing and the popular Fall Lake Campground adjacent to it. * **Travel Method:** The primary accessibility advantage is the **motor restriction** on Fall Lake itself (25 HP maximum). Groups can motorize across the main body of Fall Lake to reach the campsite or the portages leading into the non-motorized zones. This significantly reduces the paddling time compared to many other BWCA entry routes. * **Final Approach:** Even with motor use, the final approach to Campsite #1113, like all BWCA sites, requires landing a canoe or boat on a natural, unimproved shoreline and walking gear a short distance to the designated camping area. * **Navigation:** Visitors must carry detailed waterproof maps and a compass. While the main routes on Fall Lake may seem straightforward, detailed wilderness navigation is required for travel beyond the lake.

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**Services Offered**

Campsite #1113 is a designated **primitive wilderness campsite** and offers only the most essential amenities required to manage visitor impact and safety within the BWCA. There are no modern conveniences, electricity, or running water directly at the site.

The standard services and infrastructure available at this specific BWCA location include:

• **Designated Fire Grate:** A permanent steel fire grate is provided for cooking and campfires. Campers must gather dead and downed firewood from the surrounding area and must adhere to all current fire restrictions.
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A basic pit or vault toilet (outhouse) is located a short distance away from the main camp and water source to ensure sanitary waste disposal and limit ground impact.
• **Tent Pad:** At least one, and typically two or three, level areas are designated as **Tent Pads**, providing a cleared space to pitch a tent and minimizing damage to the fragile forest floor.
• **Campsite Capacity:** Strictly limited to **one group per night**, with a maximum of **nine people and four watercraft** (canoes or boats/tow vehicles allowed on Fall Lake) per permit.
• **Water Source:** Water must be drawn from **Fall Lake**. It is **non-potable** and requires treatment (filtering, boiling, or chemical purification) before consumption.
• **Food Storage:** Mandatory proper storage of food and scented items is required, typically by hanging food packs at least 12 feet high or using certified **bear-resistant food containers (BRCs)**, which is essential in this bear country.

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**Features / Highlights**

Campsite #1113's most compelling feature is its **strategic location** and the flexibility it offers, making the BWCA accessible to a wider range of Minnesotans.

The key highlights that make this site a desirable base camp include:

• **Motorized Access Advantage:** The ability to use a small motor (25 HP max) on Fall Lake drastically cuts down on the paddling time required to reach the deeper wilderness portages, making the trip less strenuous and more appealing for mixed groups or those with limited time.
• **Exceptional Angling:** Fall Lake is known for holding good populations of fish, including **Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Crappie**. Campsite #1113 offers direct access to prime fishing waters.
• **Gateway to Deeper Wilderness:** The site serves as a perfect **staging point** or base camp. From Fall Lake, groups can portage into the non-motorized, classic BWCA lakes like **Newton, Mudro, and Basswood**, providing the best of both worlds.
• **Proximity to Ely Amenities:** Being near the entry point means a relatively short trip back to the town of Ely for supplies, outfitter services, and emergency support, which provides a layer of comfort for first-time BWCA visitors.
• **Stunning Boreal Scenery:** Despite the motor restriction, the campsite is situated within the majestic **Superior National Forest**, offering classic Northwoods scenery, including towering pines, rocky shores, and excellent opportunities for quiet nature observation.
• **Solitude Guaranteed:** As a designated BWCA campsite, it ensures that only one permitted group occupies the space, delivering the privacy and quiet characteristic of wilderness camping.

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**Contact Information**

Direct contact for Campsite #1113 is not available. All necessary permits, rules, and general information must be sourced through the **Kawishiwi Ranger District** (which oversees the Ely area) of the **U.S. Forest Service**.

Primary Contact Details (Kawishiwi Ranger District / US Forest Service):

• Address (Ranger District): 105 Bdfire Cir, Ely, MN 55731 (Kawishiwi Ranger District)
• Phone (Kawishiwi Ranger District): (218) 365-7600
• Permit Reservations: The mandatory BWCA quota permit (Entry Point #24, Fall Lake) must be secured in advance through **Recreation.gov**.
• Local Resources: Numerous **Ely Outfitters** (e.g., outfitters on Fall Lake or nearby) can provide detailed maps, canoes, motor rentals, and route consultation for this area.

Note: Secure your permit early, especially for summer dates, as the Fall Lake entry point is popular due to its flexible access options.

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**What is Worth Choosing: The Blended BWCA Experience**

BWCA Campsite #1113 is highly worth choosing for the Minnesotan looking for a **blended wilderness experience**—where the traditional challenge of the BWCA meets modern accessibility. This site is particularly ideal for three groups: first-time visitors, serious anglers, and families or groups with limited time.

The key factor making this site superior is the **motorized entry advantage**. For families with small children or older members, using a small boat to reach the campsite avoids the initial strain of a long paddle, allowing the group to conserve energy for hiking, fishing, or portaging later in the trip. For anglers, the motor access opens up more prime fishing territory on the large Fall Lake.

More profoundly, choosing this site offers a flexible immersion into the wilderness. Campers can set up a comfortable base at #1113 and then use the subsequent days to take short, challenging paddle-only portages into the deep, quiet parts of the BWCA, fully customizing their level of primitive challenge. The site provides a secure, scenic, and controlled environment (thanks to the USFS management), while being just a short distance from the logistics and services of Ely. Campsite #1113 is the perfect spot to transition smoothly from civilization to solitude, securing an authentic BWCA experience with a welcome degree of convenience and flexibility.