BWCA Campsite #1564

🛶 BWCA Campsite #1564: An Elevated and Expansive Wilderness Retreat on Basswood Lake

As Minnesotans, we take immense pride in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a true Northwoods sanctuary where the only traffic you’ll encounter moves by paddle and portage. While there are over 2,000 designated campsites spread across this million-acre wilderness, Campsite #1564 on the legendary Basswood Lake holds a special distinction. This is not a secluded, tiny site tucked away on a portage trail; instead, it is a magnificent, huge, and elevated site—an ideal basecamp for larger groups or families seeking space, superb views, and relative convenience on one of the BWCA’s most celebrated lakes.

Campsite #1564 represents the best of wilderness camping infrastructure. Situated among mature pine trees, it offers two distinct areas for tent setup and a generally open environment that catches a nice breeze—a welcome feature on a warm summer day. Its unique location on Basswood Lake, right on the channel leading toward Jackfish Bay, means easy navigation and great access to fishing waters. While every BWCA site requires full adherence to "Leave No Trace" principles, this campsite provides the simple, yet essential, amenities—a fire grate and a latrine—that define a designated wilderness camp, allowing you to focus completely on the beauty and challenge of the Minnesota wilderness.

🗺️ Location and Accessibility

Campsite #1564 is located on Basswood Lake in the heart of the BWCAW, near the historic border of Canada.

Address (General Area): Ely, MN 55731, USA

Access: Accessibility to this specific campsite is strictly via watercraft (canoe or kayak), following the traditional canoe routes of the Boundary Waters. The nearest city and typical outfitting base is Ely, Minnesota. Entry to the BWCAW requires a reserved Quota Permit from the U.S. Forest Service during the peak season (May 1 - Sept 30), obtained via Recreation.gov, with the entry point being specified on the permit.

Getting There: Campers would typically enter Basswood Lake via the Fall Lake Entry Point #24 or Moose Lake Entry Point #25, often utilizing towboat services across the motorized sections of the entry lakes to shorten the travel time to the deeper wilderness. Basswood Lake is a large body of water, and while the southern portion where this site is located is a 25-horsepower motor-allowed area, the site is far enough from the immediate entry points that it retains a strong sense of remoteness. The travel to the site is a rewarding, multi-portage, multi-day experience from most popular entry points.

🛠️ Services Offered (Wilderness Standards)

As a designated wilderness site in the BWCAW, Campsite #1564 offers minimal, primitive services, upholding the area’s strict wilderness designation. It is crucial for all visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for a true backcountry experience.

• Fire Grate: A permanent, steel fire grate is provided on the site. All campfires must be contained within this grate and all wood must be small-diameter, dead wood found lying on the ground away from the campsite itself (never cut live vegetation).
• Wilderness Latrine: An outdoor, pit-style latrine (often referred to as a "thunderbox") is provided and must be used for human waste disposal. It is not a garbage can; all trash must be packed out.
• Water: No potable water is available. All water sourced from Basswood Lake or nearby streams must be boiled, filtered, or treated before consumption.
• Tent Pads: The site is known to have multiple flat areas for tents. Reports indicate it can comfortably accommodate 6 to 9 tents, making it ideal for the maximum group size of nine allowed in the BWCAW.
• Storage: Food must be stored properly to deter wildlife (bears, rodents). This typically involves hanging food packs from ropes at least 12 feet off the ground and 6 feet from the trunk of a tree, or storing them in a Bear-Resistant Food Container (BRFC), and is mandatory under Forest Service rules.

✨ Features and Highlights

Campsite #1564 is known among local paddlers for several distinct features that enhance the camping experience:

• Exceptional Size and Capacity: This is a huge campsite, easily accommodating the largest possible BWCA group (nine people, four watercraft). The ample space allows for comfort and privacy even within a single group.
• Spectacular Views and Breeze: The site is elevated above the lake, offering great, panoramic views of Basswood Lake. This elevated position often catches a beneficial breeze, which helps keep insects at bay and provides a comfortable sitting area.
• Ideal for Hammocks and Shade: The site is dotted with mature pine trees, providing excellent opportunities for hammock camping and ample shade during the sunniest parts of the day. Campers must, however, be aware of and check for potential blowdown hazards (dead trees/limbs).
• Excellent Sunsets: Due to its orientation (facing WSW), the campsite is reported to have awesome sunset views over the lake, providing a stunning backdrop for evening camp time.
• Prime Fishing Location: Located near the channel to Jackfish Bay, the site is perfectly situated for accessing some of Basswood Lake’s best fishing spots, known for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bass.
• Good Landings: The site typically features a couple of good canoe landing spots, although caution is advised if there is a strong South wind, as conditions can become tricky.

📞 Contact Information

Direct contact for an individual BWCA campsite is not possible. All administrative and planning needs are handled through the U.S. Forest Service or an authorized outfitter in Ely, MN.

Address: Ely, MN 55731, USA (General Area of the Superior National Forest)

Permit Reservations: Recreation.gov (Search for BWCAW Permits)

Superior National Forest Headquarters:

Phone: (218) 626-4300

Local Ely Ranger District:

Phone: (218) 365-7600

Note: Always contact a local Ely Outfitter for the most current on-the-ground information, gear rental, and assistance with trip planning and permit acquisition.

⭐ What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1564

For Minnesota paddlers familiar with the BWCA, choosing Campsite #1564 on Basswood Lake is a decision to prioritize space, views, and group comfort on a well-known, majestic lake.

It is particularly worth choosing for large groups or multiple families traveling together. The enormous size of the site and its capacity for numerous tents is rare and highly valued, preventing the overcrowding and resource depletion that can occur at smaller sites. The elevated position is a major natural defense, offering a natural breeze to mitigate bugs and providing stunning, sweeping views of Basswood Lake that make every sunrise and sunset unforgettable. Its location on a motorized section of Basswood is ideal for those who have secured the necessary motor permits, allowing for faster travel and greater access to deep-water fishing opportunities. Campsite #1564 is a proven, high-quality basecamp that minimizes logistical headaches for large parties and maximizes the raw, beautiful experience of the Minnesota wilderness.