BWCA Campsite #1565

🛶 **Deep Wilderness Solitude: Introducing BWCA Campsite #1565**

For Minnesota outdoor enthusiasts, the number **BWCA Campsite #1565** signifies a specific point of solitude within the vast **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**. This designated, primitive site is located within the expansive **Superior National Forest**, situated on the waters of the **Basswood River/Lake** area near Ely, MN. This region is internationally renowned, forming the boundary with Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park and offering some of the most challenging, yet rewarding, paddling and camping experiences in North America.

Campsite #1565 is not a standard campground; it is a point in the wilderness where a small, designated clearing is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. It is exclusively for overnight canoe campers who have secured a mandatory permit. Information suggests that this particular site is known for its seclusion, often tucked away from the main paddling routes, making it a favorite for those seeking deep quiet and minimal interaction with other groups. Like all BWCA sites, a trip here is a commitment to the Leave No Trace ethic, demanding full self-sufficiency and respect for the pristine environment.

The Basswood River/Lake area is famed for its large size, dramatic waterfalls, and excellent fishing, meaning the journey to Campsite #1565 is an adventure in itself, rewarding paddlers with exceptional natural beauty.

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🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: The Voyage to the Basswood Region**

BWCA Campsite #1565 is located in the wilderness section accessible from Ely, MN 55731, USA. Due to the site number's proximity to other known sites, it is placed on the large water systems that form the Basswood River/Lake area. Access is achieved via specific BWCA Entry Points, such as Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake) or Entry Point #23 (Mudro Lake), which are the primary launch points for this section of the wilderness.

Reaching this campsite requires a true canoe trip:

• Mandatory Permit: An overnight quota permit for the correct entry point serving the Basswood area must be obtained via Recreation.gov for the period of May 1 to September 30.
• All-Paddle or Canoe/Towboat Combination: Depending on the entry point chosen, the journey may involve long stretches of open paddling on large lakes, crossing several small portages, or utilizing towboat services (where permitted on the initial lakes) to conserve time and energy for the wilderness portages.
• Portaging Challenge: The path to the Basswood region includes several key portages, some of which are long and rugged, particularly those leading around the famous Lower Basswood Falls, which are close to this site number range. These are part of the challenge that ensures the area remains low-traffic.

Its remote location on the Basswood system guarantees a deep wilderness experience, far removed from any roads, development, or cell service.

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🛠️ **Services Offered (Committed to Primitive Camping)**

As a designated BWCA site, Campsite #1565 adheres strictly to the rules of wilderness preservation. Services are basic and functional, demanding that groups bring everything necessary for comfort, safety, and sanitation. There are no modern amenities whatsoever.

• Designated Camp Area: A specific, established clearing, marked by a number, is provided for camping. The site is intended for a single group of up to nine people and four watercraft.
• Steel Fire Grate: A heavy-duty, permanent metal fire grate is supplied for cooking and campfires. All fire activity must be contained within this grate. It is illegal to build ground fires outside the grate.
• Wilderness Latrine: A primitive pit latrine is located away from the main camp area and water source, provided for the disposal of human waste. Toilet paper must be either burned or packed out.
• Tent Pads/Ground: The site offers minimally cleared, relatively flat spots for pitching tents, though the quality and levelness depend on the natural terrain of the specific site.
• Lake Water Access: Direct shoreline access for landing canoes and collecting water. All water collected from the lake must be filtered, purified, or boiled before drinking.
• Strict Pack-Out Policy: Absolutely all garbage, including food scraps and micro-trash, must be packed out of the wilderness. Cans and glass bottles are prohibited entirely to reduce litter and environmental impact.

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⭐ **Features and Highlights: The Appeal of Campsite #1565**

Campsite #1565 and its position on the Basswood waterway offer unique, highly sought-after wilderness features for Minnesota campers:

• Unrivaled Solitude: Due to the difficulty and distance required to reach this area, Campsite #1565 offers exceptional privacy and a genuine feeling of being completely alone in the wilderness.
• Access to Fishing Hotspots: Basswood Lake is renowned as one of the best fishing lakes in the BWCAW, particularly for trophy Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. The site is an excellent base for daily angling excursions.
• Proximity to Waterfalls: Sites in this number range are often near the spectacular Lower Basswood Falls—a major landmark that requires a portage. This allows for day trips to see the falls, a truly memorable photo opportunity.
• Superior Wildlife Viewing: The remote nature of this part of the BWCAW increases the probability of viewing large wildlife, including Moose, Black Bears, and Timber Wolves (from a safe distance, of course).
• Stargazing Excellence: As part of the designated wilderness, light pollution is zero, providing unparalleled views of the night sky, making it an astronomer's paradise and increasing the chance of seeing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

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☎️ **Contact Information and Essential Trip Logistics**

Since this campsite is deep inside the federal wilderness, there is no direct phone or address for the site itself. All planning and official contact are made through the U.S. Forest Service.

General Campsite Location: Basswood Lake/River Area, near Ely, MN 55731, USA

Managing Authority: U.S. Forest Service – Superior National Forest (Kawishiwi Ranger District)

Essential Permit System:

• BWCAW Quota Permit Reservations: Required for all overnight trips from May 1 to September 30. Permits for entry points accessing Basswood must be reserved via Recreation.gov.
• Reservation Phone: 1-877-444-6777 (Recreation.gov)
• Local Ranger Station (Kawishiwi, near Ely): (218) 365-7600 (Recommended for conditions and regulations)

Crucial Planning Note: Securing a permit guarantees you entry into the specific area, but Campsite #1565 is secured on a first-come, first-served basis upon your arrival at the lake. Always have at least three backup campsites scouted on your map.

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1565**

Choosing BWCA Campsite #1565 is worth the considerable planning and physical effort for Minnesotans who crave the most authentic and secluded wilderness experience possible. It’s a site for those who consider the strenuous travel to be part of the reward.

It is worth choosing for the unmatched privacy and quietude its remoteness affords, coupled with access to some of the most productive fishing waters in the entire state. If your group is small, self-reliant, and looking to disconnect fully amidst dramatic scenery and historical waterways, this site provides an extraordinary and unforgettable basecamp deep in the heart of the BWCAW.