BWCA Campsite #1566

🌲 **Introduction / Overview: Your Gateway to the Heart of the Boundary Waters**

For Minnesotans and wilderness enthusiasts looking for an unparalleled escape into the state’s natural crown jewel, BWCA Campsite #1566 offers a prime base camp location. Located within the magnificent Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), part of the Superior National Forest, this designated campsite provides a classic Northwoods camping experience that balances deep immersion in nature with the essential structure of a designated site.

The BWCAW is a million-acre sanctuary renowned for its sparkling, interconnected lakes, ancient rock formations, and vast boreal forest. It is an area protected by Congress to preserve its primitive character, offering visitors a unique opportunity for paddle-only travel and traditional wilderness camping. Campsite #1566, specifically, is highly regarded among local paddlers for its **expansive space** and beautiful setting, making it suitable for larger groups or those who simply enjoy room to roam within their camp perimeter. A trip here is a journey back to the roots of Minnesota's canoeing culture, providing solitude, challenge, and breathtaking natural beauty.

As a designated site, it is part of the system that ensures responsible use of the wilderness. This means it is equipped with a few simple amenities—a fire grate and a wilderness latrine—to minimize human impact, all while requiring visitors to adhere strictly to the Leave No Trace principles and BWCAW regulations, such as packing out all trash.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #1566 is situated on the shores of Basswood Lake, one of the most famous and extensive lakes in the Boundary Waters system, known for its excellent fishing and dramatic granite shorelines. Basswood Lake lies along the U.S./Canada border, adding a layer of remote, international intrigue to your trip.

The general staging area for trips into this part of the BWCAW is the quintessential northern Minnesota town of Ely, MN. The physical address associated with the permit area is:

Ely, MN 55731, USA

Please note that this address is for the general area and the permit-issuing station, not the campsite itself, which can only be reached by **canoe and portage**. Accessibility to Campsite #1566 is typically achieved by entering the BWCAW via entry points near Ely, such as Fall Lake (Entry Point #24), which leads directly into the Basswood Lake region via the tumultuous but historic Pipestone Bay.

Access requires obtaining a mandatory BWCAW entry permit for the specific date and entry point, followed by paddling and navigating through a series of lakes and portages. This site is considered a significant paddle-in, underscoring the true wilderness nature of the experience.

🛶 **Services Offered (Wilderness Amenities)**

As a designated site within a federally protected wilderness area, the services offered are intentionally minimal to preserve the wild nature of the environment. The focus is on providing simple, durable structures to help minimize ecological impact while upholding the primitive camping ethos.

• Established Fire Grate: A steel fire grate is provided for cooking and warmth, helping to contain fires and prevent resource damage.
• Wilderness Latrine: An established "commode" or latrine is provided a discrete distance from the main camp area and water sources. Users must bring their own toilet paper and pack it out.
• Tent Pad Area(s): The site is known for having multiple, large, and relatively flat areas suitable for pitching tents, sometimes accommodating a large group size (up to the BWCAW maximum of 9 people and 4 watercraft).
• Designated Landing Area: While landings can be rocky on Basswood, this site generally offers a recognizable area for pulling canoes out of the water.
• Free Firewood (Dead and Down): All firewood must be dead and down (not cut from standing trees) and gathered within the camp area.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

Campsite #1566 is popular for a reason, blending practical functionality with stunning scenery. The general consensus among paddlers is that this is a great, spacious site.

• Great, Spacious Site: Multiple customer reviews confirm the site is large and sprawling, capable of handling a significant number of tents (some mention space for 8-9 tents) while retaining a sense of openness.
• Scenic Lake Views: The site often sits up slightly, offering nice views of Basswood Lake or its beautiful Pipestone Bay. Its elevated position can also provide a pleasant breeze, which helps deter biting insects.
• Unique Natural Features: Highlights include a large, open, granite rock slab or "dome" near the water, perfect for sunbathing, stargazing, or enjoying the lake view. This feature often serves as a central gathering point.
• Ample Shade and Hammock Options: The surrounding forest, often described as 'Huge Open Pines' or 'Tall Pines,' provides plenty of sturdy trees for shade and excellent options for hammock campers.
• Proximity to Fishing Hotspots: Basswood Lake is celebrated for its fishing, including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Some visitors report success catching fish right from the shore near the campsite.
• Privacy with Access: Despite Basswood being a well-traveled lake, the site is often situated far enough from others to maintain a welcome sense of privacy and wilderness solitude.

📞 **Contact Information**

For the BWCAW, contact and permit information are handled through the U.S. Forest Service and its authorized cooperators. There is no direct phone number to the campsite itself.

Address (General Area / Permit Issuing Station): Ely, MN 55731, USA

Permit Reservations: Wilderness permits must be reserved online through Recreation.gov or an authorized local outfitter. All overnight visitors require a permit for the specific entry date and location.

Superior National Forest Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely): For current information on permits, fire restrictions, and regulations.

Note: The nearest physical location for permit pickup and official information is the U.S. Forest Service office in Ely, or an outfitter authorized to issue permits in the area.

🌟 **What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1566**

Choosing Campsite #1566 on Basswood Lake is choosing a premier, highly-rated location that maximizes the Boundary Waters experience. For a Minnesota resident planning a trip, this campsite provides the ideal mix of classic wilderness challenge and comfortable natural features.

The site's main selling point is its spaciousness and high capacity. It's the perfect choice for a larger family or a full-sized group of up to nine people, where finding enough level ground can often be a challenge at smaller sites. The multiple, separate tent pad areas allow a group to spread out, enhancing privacy and comfort, a feature frequently praised in customer reviews: "Great, spacious site."

Furthermore, the physical features—the large rock dome for sweeping lake views and the abundance of **tall pines for shade and hammocks**—elevate the experience from merely camping to a true wilderness retreat. While the landing can be rocky, the protection often afforded by a small bay area allows for a safer, more sheltered arrival. Being located on Basswood Lake puts you in the middle of a historic and productive fishing area, maximizing your opportunities for a fresh, lakeside dinner.

In short, BWCA Campsite #1566 offers a reliable, beautiful, and accommodating home base in the heart of Minnesota's most treasured wilderness. It is a site that promises both the deep solitude of the BWCAW and the practical space needed for an enjoyable group adventure.