BWCA Campsite #1603

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

For the resident of Minnesota, the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** is the pinnacle of outdoor adventure, a vast, preserved landscape where the only access is by paddle and portage. **BWCA Campsite #1603** is one of the approximately 2,200 designated, primitive campsites within this million-acre federally protected area, located near the primary outfitting town of **Ely, MN 55731, USA**. To secure this campsite is to reserve your own piece of pristine, glacially-carved wilderness, far from the sounds of roads and civilization.

The BWCAW is renowned globally for its unique landscape of thousands of interconnected lakes and streams, making it the only large temperate lake-land wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Campsite #1603 is identified on official maps by its number, typically associated with a specific lake—historical records often link sites in this numbering range to routes off the **Basswood Lake** area, a large, celebrated lake that spans the US-Canada border. This site caters exclusively to self-reliant adventurers who are prepared to carry all their gear and provisions, embracing the ethos of the early Voyageurs.

Camping at #1603 guarantees an experience steeped in solitude, challenge, and profound natural beauty. It’s an escape that is both physically demanding and deeply rewarding, offering an immersion into the ancient boreal forest of the Superior National Forest.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #1603 is situated in the northeastern corner of Minnesota within the **Superior National Forest**, accessible primarily through the numerous **Entry Points (EPs)** surrounding **Ely, MN**. Its specific location within the BWCAW is often associated with the route systems leading to large lakes like Basswood Lake, a critical part of the international Quetico-Superior country.

Accessing Campsite #1603 requires securing a mandatory **BWCAW permit** for overnight use (especially during the quota season from May 1 to September 30). Visitors must paddle a canoe or kayak and make several **portages**—carrying all gear and watercraft overland—to reach the site. Depending on the chosen EP (e.g., Moose Lake or Fall Lake EPs are common for the Basswood area) and the intended route, the journey to #1603 can range from a short day’s paddle to a multi-day trek.

Campers must enter the wilderness at the specific time and location noted on their permit. Due to the primitive nature of the area, **no motorized vehicles or mechanical portaging** are allowed near this site (though limited exceptions exist on certain large lakes). **Cell phone service is completely unavailable**, making traditional navigation (map, compass) and robust emergency planning absolute necessities.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a designated BWCAW campsite, #1603 provides minimal, rustic services mandated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to maintain the primitive character of the wilderness:

• **Single Designated Site:** The site is marked with the number 1603 (often painted on the latrine) and is limited to **one camping party** (maximum 9 people and 4 watercraft).

• **Steel Fire Grate:** A permanent, steel fire grate is provided for cooking and campfires. Campers must use only **dead and downed wood** for fuel and adhere strictly to all current **fire restrictions**.

• **Primitive Latrine:** A rustic, open-air box latrine (pit toilet) is located a short distance from the main camping area for proper disposal of human waste.

• **Water Access:** The site is located directly on a lake or river shore, providing an accessible water source. **Water is NOT potable** and must be purified, filtered, or boiled for safe consumption.

• **No Developed Facilities:** There are **no picnic tables, no running water, no docks, no trash receptacles, and no other modern amenities**. All garbage must be packed out.

• **Bear Safety:** Although no permanent structures are provided, proper bear safety techniques (using bear barrels or a 100-foot bear rope hang) are **mandatory** to secure food and scented items away from the campsite.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

The rewards of reaching a remote site like Campsite #1603 are the experiences only a world-class wilderness can provide:

• **World-Class Angling:** The lake systems feeding the Basswood area are famous for exceptional **Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass** fishing, offering some of the best freshwater angling in North America (valid MN license required).

• **Pristine Solitude:** The required paddle and portage journey ensures a high level of **seclusion and quiet**. You are choosing a night where the sounds are strictly the loons, the wind, and the crackle of your campfire.

• **Iconic Voyageur Scenery:** The campsite is set amidst the stunning, ancient landscape of the Canadian Shield, featuring **towering Red Pines, granite cliffs, and exposed rock outcroppings** characteristic of the Voyageur's Highway.

• **Dark Sky Sanctuary:** Far removed from city lights, the BWCAW is an incredible location for **astronomy and stargazing**. The dark skies often yield breathtaking views of the Milky Way and the opportunity to spot the **Aurora Borealis** (Northern Lights).

• **Wildlife Density:** The BWCAW is home to a robust population of native Minnesota wildlife, including **Moose, Black Bear, and the Eastern Timber Wolf** (Gray Wolf). Quiet campers have unparalleled opportunities for respectful wildlife observation.

• **Base for Extended Routes:** Sites in this region are excellent base camps for **extended loop trips** or to travel deeper into the core of the wilderness, making it a critical hub for multi-day expeditions.

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📞 **Contact Information**

All official inquiries and required permit applications for BWCA Campsite #1603 must be directed to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) or their designated cooperator, often based in Ely.

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

USFS Superior National Forest Headquarters Phone: (218) 626-4300

BWCA Permit Reservations (Required May 1 – Sept 30): 877-444-6777 (or Recreation.gov)

Local Outfitting Services: Visitors are strongly encouraged to contact an Ely-based outfitter for trip planning assistance, gear rental, and permit issuance services.

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✔️ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing **BWCA Campsite #1603** is a decision to embrace the highest level of wilderness camping available in Minnesota. **What is worth choosing is the site’s location on a prime canoe route, offering a genuine, untouched experience in the most visited wilderness in the United States.**

This campsite is ideal for the experienced Minnesota backpacker or canoeist who is seeking solitude and a challenging, yet rewarding, journey. By venturing to a site on a major route like those connected to Basswood Lake, you are positioning yourself for spectacular scenery, legendary fishing, and the chance to witness the Northwoods ecosystem at its most vibrant.

If your goal is to push your limits, rely on your skills, and return home with stories of loon calls and starry nights unmarred by electric light, then securing your permit and plotting your course to Campsite #1603 is the perfect plan. It stands as a profound testament to the enduring wild heart of Minnesota.