BWCA Campsite #1588

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesota outdoor enthusiasts, the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** remains the pinnacle of North Woods adventure. This immense, federally protected area within the Superior National Forest requires non-motorized travel and adheres strictly to primitive camping and 'Leave No Trace' ethics, preserving its rugged, glacial-sculpted beauty.

**BWCA Campsite #1588** is a specific, designated camping location situated on the iconic **Basswood Lake**, one of the largest and most famous lakes in the BWCA, forming part of the international border with Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park. More specifically, the site is located on the western shoreline of **Pipestone Bay**, an area of Basswood that is accessible via towboat or motorboat (up to 25 HP is permitted on this part of the lake), offering a blend of wilderness solitude with slightly easier logistics compared to the deep, paddle-only interior.

Campsite #1588 is consistently highlighted in local reviews for its **spaciousness, excellent elevated views**, and protective natural features. It is recognized as a well-used but highly desirable spot, offering a decent mix of sun and shade, making it a popular choice for groups seeking a high-quality basecamp on this legendary Minnesota lake.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

The administrative address is **Ely, MN 55731, USA**, placing the site in the vast area managed by the Kawishiwi Ranger District. To reach Campsite #1588 on Basswood Lake, adventurers will typically utilize one of two major entry points (EPs) near Ely:

• **Primary Entry Point #24 (Fall Lake):** This is the most common route. It involves paddling across Fall Lake, making the smooth, often motorized-tracked portage into Newton Lake, and then a final portage into Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake.
• **Alternative Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake):** This route requires traversing the Moose Lake Chain (often with a towboat shuttle) and then making the final portage into Basswood Lake near Prairie Portage.
• **Motor Access Advantage:** Crucially, the section of Basswood Lake containing Campsite #1588 (Pipestone Bay) allows for the limited use of 25 HP motors, meaning groups can use motorboats (rented or owned) or towboat services to cover the considerable distances on these large lakes, maximizing time for fishing and relaxation.
• **On-Water Approach:** The final approach to Campsite #1588 involves paddling to its location on Pipestone Bay’s western shore. Reviews note that the **approach area is a bit narrow** but manageable for canoes.
• **Permit Requirement:** All overnight visitors must secure a BWCA Quota Permit for the chosen entry point (EP #24 or EP #25) via Recreation.gov, specifying the entry date.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a designated wilderness campsite, #1588 is strictly primitive and provides only the essential infrastructure required to minimize human impact on the environment. Visitors must be completely self-sufficient.

• **Designated Tent Pads:** The site features an ample, well-shaded camping area with reported room for **three flat tent pads**, making it comfortable for 2–5 people, or the maximum of 9 if using smaller tents and sharing space.
• **Steel Fire Grate:** A permanent metal ring and grate are provided for safe campfires, which is essential for cooking and warmth (always check local fire restrictions).
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A pit-style latrine is provided for sanitary waste disposal. A customer review noted that the latrine was "very nearly full," serving as a reminder that these sites are infrequently maintained, and visitors should **always check the latrine condition** before fully settling in.
• **Kitchen/Sitting Space:** The site is noted for having a **"big kitchen and sitting space,"** suggesting a well-defined and functional common area separate from the tent pads.
• **Lake Water Access:** Shoreline access is available for collecting water for cooking and cleaning; this water is **not potable** and must be rigorously filtered, boiled, or treated before consumption.

No modern amenities such as running water, trash disposal (all trash must be packed out), or reliable cell service are available at this remote site.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

Campsite #1588 is highly regarded for several unique features that elevate the traditional camping experience on Basswood Lake:

• **The Granite Rock Dome:** The standout feature is the **huge, elevated bedrock dome** or large granite boulder adjacent to the site. This feature offers **sweeping, unobstructed views** of Pipestone Bay and provides a fantastic, breezy spot for sunning, reading, enjoying a meal, or escaping the bugs.
• **Spacious and Open:** The main sitting and tent area is described as large and open, with a good mix of sun and shade, providing comfort for a group. It has designated space for tents and separate areas for hammocks.
• **Excellent Fishing and Swimming:** The area near the shore landing provides **decent opportunities for fishing and swimming**, with large boulders offering easy entry into the water for a refreshing dip in the clear lake.
• **Strategic Location on Basswood:** Located on Pipestone Bay, the site offers excellent access to the famous **Basswood Lake**—renowned for its world-class fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass—while still providing a sense of being somewhat tucked away.
• **Breezy Spot:** The large rock dome and elevated nature of the site often catch a good breeze, a natural defense against the insects during the summer months.
• **Ideal Basecamp:** Given its size and location on a primary motor-access route, it is a perfect basecamp for anglers or large groups planning to spend multiple days fishing and exploring the extensive bays of Basswood.

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📞 **Contact Information**

BWCA Campsite #1588 is a protected resource within the Superior National Forest. All administrative and reservation inquiries must go through the managing authority near Ely, MN.

• **Official Campsite Location (Administrative):** Ely, MN 55731, USA (Located on Basswood Lake, Pipestone Bay)
• **Managing Authority:** USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District.
• **Permit Reservations:** Overnight Quota Permits (May 1 – September 30) for Entry Points #24 (Fall Lake) or #25 (Moose Lake) must be secured through **Recreation.gov**.
• **Kawishiwi Ranger Station Phone (Ely Area):** (218) 365-7600 (Recommended for local conditions, fire bans, and permit issuance).

Due to the complexity of the Basswood route, consulting an Ely-based outfitter is highly recommended for route planning and reserving towboat services.

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1588**

For Minnesota travelers, BWCA Campsite #1588 offers a unique and highly desirable wilderness camping experience on one of the state's most magnificent lakes. It is definitively worth choosing for these reasons:

• **The Best Views:** The distinguishing feature—the huge, elevated granite dome—provides a stunning, panoramic view, transforming a simple campsite into a memorable destination for sunning, photography, and evening relaxation.
• **Group Comfort:** The site’s reputation for having a large kitchen area and multiple tent pads makes it an excellent, comfortable choice for larger groups of friends or families (up to five people recommended for maximum comfort based on reviews).
• **Motor-Assisted Access to Deep Wilderness:** The ability to reach this site via the motor-allowed portion of Basswood Lake minimizes paddling fatigue and maximizes time spent fishing or relaxing, making it an ideal option for anglers focused on the world-class fishing of Basswood.
• **Excellent Recreation:** With natural swimming areas and highly-rated fishing potential right from the shore, the site provides superior recreational activities without the need to paddle every day.

Choose Campsite #1588 for a visually spectacular, spacious, and logistically manageable basecamp deep in the heart of the BWCA’s legendary Basswood Lake.