BWCA Campsite #1583

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

The **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** in the Superior National Forest is a globally renowned treasure, encompassing over a million acres of interconnected waterways along the Minnesota-Canada border. This vast, protected wilderness offers unparalleled opportunities for primitive, paddle-in camping, challenging visitors to embrace self-sufficiency and the "Leave No Trace" ethos.

**BWCA Campsite #1583** is a specific, designated site located on the magnificent **Basswood Lake**. Basswood is one of the largest and most famous lakes in the BWCA, forming a significant portion of the international border with Canada's Quetico Provincial Park. What makes this site particularly unique is its location on a lake that permits limited motorized use (up to 25 HP on certain sections), offering a different type of access compared to the deep, paddle-only interior lakes.

Campsite #1583 is specifically noted for being situated in a relatively **protected and private little bay** between the major areas of Pipestone Bay and Jackfish Bay. This positioning provides a sense of seclusion despite being on a large, historically significant lake. For Minnesota adventurers, this campsite offers a base from which to explore the lake's rich history, world-class fishing, and stunning scenic vistas, all while maintaining the fundamental experience of wilderness camping.

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🛶 **Location and Accessibility**

The administrative address for this vast region is **Ely, MN 55731, USA**. However, understanding the true location and accessibility of Campsite #1583 requires knowing the route to Basswood Lake.

Basswood Lake is accessed via several entry points (EP), notably those along the Moose Lake Chain (like EP #25 or #24), or sometimes via the Fall Lake Entry Point (EP #24). Since Basswood is large and on the permitted motor route, access typically involves:

• **Vehicle Travel:** Driving to an outfitter or launch point near Ely, MN, such as Moose Lake Landing.
• **Motorized Option:** Utilizing towboat services or a private motorboat (up to 25 HP limit) across lakes like Moose, Newfound, and Sucker, which significantly speeds up the journey to the main body of Basswood Lake.
• **Paddling:** From the final tow drop-off or non-motorized boundary, the final leg of the journey to Campsite #1583 involves paddling to its precise location between Pipestone and Jackfish bays, a journey that still requires careful map reading and navigation.
• **Permit Requirement:** An essential step for all overnight users (May 1 – September 30) is securing a Quota Permit, specifically for the entry point used to reach Basswood Lake. This reservation is critical due to the limited number of permits available daily.

The site itself is often described as having a landing along a sloping rock ledge, which provides a high and open clearing for the campsite, a valuable feature on such a large lake.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a primitive, designated campsite within the BWCAW, Campsite #1583 offers **no modern amenities**. The services provided are strictly limited to the necessary infrastructure for low-impact, essential wilderness camping, as mandated by the U.S. Forest Service:

• **Designated Tent Pads:** Cleared, established areas for pitching tents, helping to concentrate impact and protect the surrounding environment. Reviewers often note the clearing is quite large, featuring ample space.
• **Steel Fire Grate:** A heavy-duty, permanent metal ring and grate provided for safely containing campfires, which are only permitted within this structure (subject to fire bans).
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A simple, pit-style latrine, located away from the main camp area and water source for sanitary disposal of human waste.
• **Water Source:** Direct access to the waters of Basswood Lake, which **must be treated** (filtered, boiled, or chemically purified) before consumption to prevent illness.
• **Canoe Storage Area:** The sloping rock ledge landing often provides adequate space for storing canoes above the water line, protecting them from waves.

Visitors must be entirely self-sufficient, packing in all food and gear and packing out all trash and waste. No potable water, electricity, trash disposal, or cellular service is provided.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

Campsite #1583's position on Basswood Lake lends it several attractive features for the discerning Minnesota wilderness traveler:

• **Sheltered Privacy:** The site is tucked into a small bay between Pipestone and Jackfish bays, offering good protection from the wind and traffic of the larger, main channels of Basswood, providing a sense of privacy often desired in the BWCA.
• **Superior Landing & Views:** The landing along the sloping rock ledge often elevates the camping area, providing excellent views over the lake and better air circulation to deter insects. The clearing is described as large with huge Jack Pines, enhancing the classic North Woods aesthetic.
• **World-Class Fishing:** Basswood Lake is legendary among Minnesota anglers for its large Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. The nearby bays and weed lines provide excellent trolling and casting opportunities.
• **Access to Motor Zone:** For groups with limited mobility or seeking to cover significant distance, the ability to access this site via the motor-allowed portion of Basswood Lake is a significant logistical advantage.
• **International Border Proximity:** The lake itself borders Canada's Quetico Provincial Park, offering the unique experience of paddling along the International Boundary and connecting with history.
• **Wind Protection:** Reviewers have highlighted the site's protective location, noting it is an "excellent site if Basswood is windy," a critical consideration on such a massive body of water.

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📞 **Contact Information**

Since Campsite #1583 is a specific point in the vast wilderness, contact is managed through the U.S. Forest Service and its administrative offices near Ely, MN.

• **Official Campsite Location (Administrative):** Ely, MN 55731, USA
• **Managing Authority:** USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District (based in Ely).
• **Permit Reservations:** All overnight Quota Permits (May 1 – September 30) must be secured through **Recreation.gov**. Early booking (starting in late January) is crucial for popular areas like Basswood Lake.
• **Kawishiwi Ranger Station Phone (Ely Area):** (218) 365-7600 (Recommended for obtaining local conditions, rules, and permit issuance information).

It is strongly recommended that visitors planning a trip to Basswood Lake utilize an official BWCA outfitter in Ely for personalized routing advice and gear preparation.

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1583**

Campsite #1583 is an excellent choice for Minnesota paddlers and campers who desire a classic BWCA experience but value a slightly easier access route and a sheltered location on a very large, open lake. It is worth choosing for these key reasons:

• **Strategic Solitude:** You get the feel of deep wilderness camping with the advantage of a naturally sheltered bay. It feels far more remote and private than its location on a popular lake might suggest.
• **Outstanding Central Location:** The site provides an ideal basecamp for day trips into the famed Jackfish Bay, or for longer excursions along the U.S./Canada border, allowing explorers to cover distance quickly via paddle or approved motor.
• **Maximum Enjoyment, Less Fatigue:** The option to utilize a motor tow for the initial journey means less energy is spent on long, open water paddles and more time is available for enjoying the site, fishing, and exploration.
• **A Grand Scale Wilderness:** Basswood Lake offers an awe-inspiring, massive water environment, complete with historic features and stunning scenery, an experience distinct from the smaller, interconnected lakes of the interior.

If you are planning an extended trip to the Ely area and value a protected, scenic base camp on one of the BWCA's premier fishing lakes, Campsite #1583 on Basswood is an excellent option to prioritize.