BWCA Campsite #1613

**Introduction / Overview: Gateway to the Boundary Waters**

For Minnesotans, the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** is more than a destination; it’s an institution. **BWCA Campsite #1613** offers a prime, authentic experience within this million-acre protected area, providing a fantastic starting or finishing point for an extended canoe trip. This campsite is often associated with the Fall Lake Entry Point, which, while being a busy access point, allows quick passage into the vast network of wilderness lakes.

Campsite #1613 is situated on the route that connects Fall Lake to other central lakes like Newton, and is strategically located just past Wegens Point. Unlike the first, highly trafficked sites near an entry point, this location strikes a balance: it’s relatively accessible but still offers the quiet solitude that defines the BWCA. Visitors familiar with the area will appreciate its large size and practical amenities, making it a reliable and comfortable base camp.

Customer reports indicate that this site is known for its **ample space**, being large enough to accommodate multiple tents and hammocks. It even served as a place for children to build a temporary fort from downed trees, suggesting a mature forest environment with plenty of room to roam. The tone of the BWCA is one of rugged self-sufficiency, dictated by U.S. Forest Service rules designed to preserve its pristine, primitive character. This site embodies that ethos, serving as a comfortable launch pad into one of the state's most cherished wild spaces.

**Location and Accessibility: A Paddle into the Wild**

BWCA Campsite #1613 is located within the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness**, part of the **Superior National Forest**. It is situated on the water route near **Wegens Point**, commonly understood to be on **Fall Lake**, close to the town of **Ely, MN**.

The general administrative address is: **Ely, MN 55731, USA**.

**Accessibility:**

• **Canoe Access Only:** Like all designated BWCA campsites, Site #1613 is only reachable by canoe or kayak. There is no road access.
• **Entry Point:** The most common access point is **Fall Lake Entry Point #24**, which is located near a Forest Service campground and outfitter services, making the launch logistically straightforward.
• **The Paddle:** Paddling distance to Campsite #1613 is generally considered moderate, a good first-day paddle for groups starting their trip. It is located just before the portage into Newton Lake.
• **Motor Restrictions:** Fall Lake allows 25-horsepower motors for a limited distance, meaning the initial paddle to the site may involve some motorized traffic. However, the wilderness experience deepens significantly once you portage into the non-motorized lakes beyond.
• **Portages:** Reaching deeper wilderness areas from this campsite requires mastering the art of the portage (carrying your canoe and gear overland between lakes). The site is a strategic stop before the portages leading further into the non-motorized zone.

Campers must secure a BWCA wilderness permit with an approved entry point and date for all overnight stays during the quota season (May 1 - September 30).

**Services Offered**

BWCA campsites offer minimal, designated services to maintain the wilderness environment, emphasizing Leave No Trace ethics and self-reliance.

**Campsite-Specific Services:**

• **Wilderness Latrine:** A rustic, box-style toilet (often called a "thunderbox" by locals) located a short distance from the main camp area to ensure sanitation.
• **Steel Fire Grate:** A permanent, designated steel fire ring/grate for cooking and campfires, mandated by the U.S. Forest Service.
• **Designated Tent Pads:** While not highly manicured, the site offers level, cleared areas suitable for pitching tents. Reviewers note it has **plenty of space** for multiple tents.
• **Ample Hammock Trees:** The site is described as being in a mature forest, providing excellent, well-spaced trees for hanging hammocks and tarps.
• **Landing Area:** A designated spot on the shoreline for safely landing and securing canoes.

**BWCA Wilderness-Wide Requirements & Notes:**

• **First-Come, First-Served:** Campsites in the BWCA are not reservable; they are available to the first permitted group that arrives.
• **Water Source:** All water is sourced from the lake or connecting streams and **must be filtered or boiled** for drinking. Potable water is not provided.
• **Food Storage:** Campers must use bear-resistant food containers or employ proper bear-hanging techniques, keeping food at least 200 feet from tents.
• **Pack In, Pack Out:** All garbage, including non-burnable food scraps, must be packed out of the wilderness.

**Features / Highlights**

BWCA Campsite #1613's features center on its generous size, strategic location, and the natural beauty of the surrounding boreal forest.

**Campsite Highlights:**

• **Exceptional Space:** The site is described as being large and roomy, easily accommodating groups with multiple tents and hammocks. This is a significant feature for groups and family trips seeking comfort and maneuverability.
• **Strategic Location:** Located just before key portages, it functions as an excellent last-night-out site or a solid first-night-in base before venturing deeper into the BWCA’s non-motorized zone.
• **Mature Forest Cover:** The surrounding woods provide good windbreak, opportunities for bear-hanging, and the ideal trees for setting up hammocks, all crucial elements of a great BWCA site.
• **Family-Friendly Environment:** The previous sighting of a fort built by kids from downed wood suggests the area is relatively safe and inviting for children to explore the immediate vicinity of the camp.

**BWCA Wilderness Features:**

• **Paddling Opportunities:** Direct access to Fall Lake for fishing (known for Walleye and Northern Pike) and paddling.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** Opportunities to see iconic Minnesota wildlife, including moose, deer, black bears, bald eagles, and the ever-present loons.
• **Portage System:** Being on the edge of the deeper wilderness, it provides easy access to the famed portage trails that connect the BWCA’s chain of over 1,000 lakes and streams.
• **Stargazing and Solitude:** Though on a busy route, the sheer size and primitive nature of the area still offer world-class quiet and dark skies for viewing the Northern Lights or the Milky Way.

**Contact Information**

As a designated wilderness campsite, there is no direct contact number or address for Campsite #1613. All essential planning and permits are handled through the U.S. Forest Service and authorized outfitters.

**Permit and Information Contact (Superior National Forest):**

Supervisor’s Office: 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808

**Phone (Superior National Forest/BWCA Info):**

(218) 626-4300

**Reservations/Permits:**

Overnight quota permits for the BWCAW (required May 1 - September 30) must be reserved in advance through the U.S. Forest Service via Recreation.gov. Enter the wilderness only at the date and entry point specified on your permit.

**What is Worth Choosing: The True BWCA Launchpad**

Choosing BWCA Campsite #1613 is an excellent decision for Minnesotans seeking a blend of easy access and deep wilderness feel. It provides a reliable, spacious, and comfortable starting point for a life-changing wilderness trip.

**The essential advantages of selecting Campsite #1613 are:**

• **Ideal Group Base Camp:** Its large size, noted by previous visitors, makes it perfect for the maximum group size allowed in the BWCA (9 people and 4 watercraft). The ample tent and hammock space means less crowding and more comfort for multi-day stays.
• **Strategic Position:** Being located just past the initial bustle of the Fall Lake entry point and before the portages to Newton Lake, it offers a crucial stop. You can spend your first or last night here, easily making it to or from your outfitter while still enjoying a quality wilderness campsite.
• **A True BWCA Experience:** While on Fall Lake, the location past Wegens Point ensures you are fully immersed in the primitive character of the BWCA, with all the accompanying rules and the rewarding solitude that follows.
• **Ready Access to Deeper Wilderness:** For those planning longer routes into the heart of the BWCA, Campsite #1613 serves as an excellent staging area to prepare for the portages that will take you into the wholly non-motorized, quieter lakes of the system.

If your goal is to launch a successful, multi-day canoe adventure into Minnesota's world-famous wilderness, Campsite #1613 provides the spaciousness, reliability, and strategic location you need for a smooth and rewarding trip.