BWCA Campsite #1149

Unlocking the Wilderness: BWCA Campsite #1149 on Wood Lake

For Minnesotans seeking an immersive, self-supported adventure into the heart of the Northwoods, BWCA Campsite #1149 on Wood Lake represents a classic Boundary Waters experience. Located within the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), near the famed outfitting town of Ely, MN 55731, this site is a crucial piece of the puzzle for those paddling the popular routes leading toward Basswood Lake. It is a designated, primitive wilderness campsite—a reward earned after the initial portage, promising solitude and the quiet beauty of a shallow, fish-rich lake.

Wood Lake is accessed via BWCA Entry Point #26, a location famous for its relatively small daily quota (typically just two permits) and the 180-rod portage required to reach the water. Campsite #1149 is situated just a short paddle north of the entry point landing, making it an excellent first-night stop for travelers who start their journey late or are using the lake as a staging area before paddling further into the chain toward Hula Lake and eventually, the iconic Basswood Lake. While Wood Lake can be busy due to its proximity to the entry point, choosing a designated site like #1149 provides a dedicated space to fully appreciate the area’s scenic beauty and wilderness atmosphere.

Location and Accessibility

Campsite #1149’s location on Wood Lake places it firmly in the Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest, offering direct access to key paddling routes.

• Gateway: The closest major town and outfitting center is Ely, MN.
• Entry Point: The site is reached via BWCA Entry Point #26 – Wood Lake. This is an Overnight Paddle Only entry point, with a highly limited daily quota of permits.
• Initial Access Challenge: The journey begins with a challenging 180-rod (approximately 0.56 miles) portage from the parking lot to the shore of Wood Lake. This requires a significant physical effort to transport canoes and all gear before the paddling even begins, immediately filtering out less serious adventurers.
• Paddling Route: Once on the water, the campsite is located along the western shore of Wood Lake, paddling north from the portage landing. Public trip reports note it is one of the first sites encountered and is a strategic resting point before continuing the route north toward the 40-rod portage into Hula Lake.
• Permits: A valid BWCA Overnight Paddle Permit for Entry Point #26 is mandatory and must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov, due to the extremely limited daily quota.

Services Offered

As a designated BWCA wilderness campsite, #1149 provides standardized, minimal amenities required by the Forest Service to facilitate low-impact camping. Visitors must be completely self-sufficient.

• Designated Camp Area: A cleared space for setting up tents, accommodating a group of up to nine people and four watercraft (the maximum allowed BWCA group size).
• Fire Grate: A permanent, steel fire grate is provided for cooking and warmth. Visitors must collect only dead and downed wood, though due to the site's popularity, firewood may be scarce, necessitating a canoe trip around the lake to collect it, or the use of a lightweight stove.
• Wilderness Latrine: An unstaffed, basic latrine (often a box or pit toilet) is situated discreetly away from the main camp area and water source, ensuring sanitary waste disposal.
• Water Source: Wood Lake itself serves as the raw water source. All water must be treated (filtered, boiled, or chemically purified) before consumption.
• Canoe Landing: The shoreline features a suitable, often rocky or gravel, area to land and secure canoes.
• Leave No Trace: The primary service provided by the user is the packing out of all trash and adherence to strict wilderness ethics.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #1149's highlights are derived from its strategic location, making it a functional and scenic stop on a longer journey.

• Proximity to Entry Point: Its location just a short paddle north of the Entry Point 26 portage makes it the perfect base for late arrivals or for easing into the canoe trip.
• Walleye and Pike Fishing: Wood Lake is noted for supporting a good population of walleye and northern pike, offering excellent fishing opportunities right from the campsite or nearby shallow bays. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also inhabit the lake.
• Gateway to Basswood Lake: The site functions as a key launch pad, allowing groups to complete the rugged initial portage, set up camp, and be strategically positioned to tackle the route through Hula Lake onward to the massive Basswood Lake—one of the BWCA’s most famous paddling destinations.
• Aspen and Balsam Forests: The surrounding forest consists of regenerating aspen, birch, and balsam firs with scattered pines, offering a classic Northwoods backdrop and a sense of forest recovery in this eastern section of the BWCAW.
• Clear Lake Views: As a campsite on a sizeable lake, #1149 offers clear sightlines across the water, ideal for enjoying sunsets and watching for the frequent sight and sound of the iconic common loon.
• Strategic Narrows: Paddlers heading north from this campsite will traverse a mid-lake narrows, providing interesting paddling dynamics and often increased chances of wildlife viewing.

Contact Information

For information, permits, and current conditions regarding BWCA Campsite #1149 or Entry Point 26, contact the administrative authority for this area of the Superior National Forest.

• Administrative Address (Closest Designation): Wood Lake, Ely, MN 55731, USA.
• Managing District (Superior National Forest): Kawishiwi Ranger District in Ely, MN.
• Kawishiwi Ranger District Phone: (218) 365-7600 (The best resource for permit questions, local route advice, and condition updates).
• Permit Reservations: Overnight Paddle Permits for Entry Point #26 must be reserved online via Recreation.gov. Campsite #1149 itself is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis by the groups who have successfully entered through EP #26 that day.

Outfitter Services: Numerous full-service outfitters in Ely can handle your permit reservation, provide lightweight canoe rentals, map routing, and even offer a van ride to the somewhat remote Entry Point 26, making the logistics of reaching this site much easier.

What is Worth Choosing: Campsite #1149 on Wood Lake

Choosing BWCA Campsite #1149 is worth it because it offers convenient, high-quality wilderness camping while serving as the perfect launch pad for deeper exploration.

• The Ideal First Night: The ability to complete the challenging 180-rod portage and then secure a quality campsite shortly thereafter is a significant advantage, especially for groups with varied experience levels or those starting later in the day.
• Uncrowded Start: With only two permits issued daily for EP #26, the Wood Lake route is inherently less crowded than some of the area's larger entry points, guaranteeing a more serene initial experience.
• Fishing Destination: For the angler, the known quality of the walleye and pike fishing in Wood Lake makes staying at #1149 a rewarding base camp choice, allowing maximum time on the water.
• Strategic Route Planning: The site places you perfectly on the route to Basswood Lake. Spending the night here allows for an early start on the subsequent paddle to Hula Lake and beyond, optimizing the time spent paddling deep into the wilderness.
• Self-Reliant Immersion: It embodies the core BWCA values—minimal amenities, mandatory self-sufficiency, and a commitment to preserving the natural environment—all within a day's paddle of the trailhead.

For Minnesotans ready to commit to a true canoe adventure, Campsite #1149 offers the blend of rugged accessibility and natural beauty needed for a memorable and successful journey into the legendary Boundary Waters.