BWCA Campsite #1614

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesotans, the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)** is not just a destination; it's a profound cultural touchstone and the ultimate wilderness escape. **BWCA Campsite #1614** is one of over 2,000 designated, primitive campsites scattered across this million-acre expanse of pristine forests and glacial lakes. Located within the Superior National Forest near the outfitting hub of **Ely, MN 55731, USA**, this campsite offers a completely untamed experience, honoring the spirit of the French Voyageurs who paddled these routes centuries ago.

All campsites within the BWCAW are accessible only by paddle and portage, completely removed from roads, resorts, and motorized vehicle noise (except in limited, permitted areas). The numbering system, like #1614, identifies the site’s location on official maps, often near a lake or river that forms one of the Wilderness’s extensive canoe routes. To camp here is to embrace radical self-reliance, solitude, and challenge, all while being immersed in one of the world's most beautiful lake-land wildernesses. This site, like all others, is a testament to the effort to preserve the area's primitive character.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #1614 is geographically located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which spans the northern edge of the **Superior National Forest** in northeastern Minnesota. Its access point is typically routed through the historic outfitting town of **Ely, MN**, known as a primary gateway to the wilderness.

Accessibility to Campsite #1614 is entirely dependent on the entry point (EP) chosen and the intended canoe route. The journey involves **paddling across multiple lakes and streams, interspersed with mandatory portages**—the physical act of carrying canoes, gear, and packs overland between waterways. The specific distance and difficulty of the trip to Campsite #1614 will vary greatly depending on the selected Entry Point (EP) and the number of lakes and portages required.

A **quota permit is mandatory** for overnight and motorized day use from May 1 to September 30, and a **self-issued permit** is required year-round. This permit must be secured in advance through Recreation.gov and picked up from a designated issuing station (often an outfitter in Ely) on or one day prior to the entry date. The permit holder must enter the BWCAW on the specified date and stay with the group for the entire trip. Due to the area's protected status, there is **no public road access** to the campsite itself, and **cell phone reception is non-existent** once you enter the wilderness.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

All of the approximately 2,000 designated campsites in the BWCAW, including Campsite #1614, adhere to strict primitive wilderness standards. Services are minimal, functional, and designed to support low-impact camping and preservation of the area's integrity.

• **Designated Campsite:** The site is officially marked with a painted number on the latrine (in this case, 1614). It includes a cleared area for tents, but typically has only **one established fire grate** and **one latrine**.

• **Latrine:** A primitive, open-air box latrine (pit toilet) is provided, positioned a short walk from the main camping area to ensure sanitation and privacy.

• **Fire Grate:** A permanent metal fire grate is provided for cooking and campfires. Campers must collect only **dead and downed wood** for fuel and adhere strictly to all local **fire restrictions**, which can be common in the summer.

• **Water Source:** The site provides direct access to the **lake or river water source**. This water is **NOT potable** and must be filtered, purified, or boiled before consumption.

• **No Developed Facilities:** There is **no electricity, no running water, no picnic tables, no showers, and no trash disposal**. Campers must practice "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" and **secure all food** from bears using proper bear-proof containers or hanging techniques.

• **Limited Capacity:** All BWCAW campsites are limited to a maximum group size of **9 people and 4 watercraft**.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

The allure of Campsite #1614, like any BWCAW site, comes from the natural highlights surrounding it, which are universal across this preserved wilderness:

• **Pristine Lakefront/Riverfront:** Campsite #1614 offers a dedicated, scenic spot on one of the BWCA’s crystal-clear lakes or rivers, perfect for **swimming, fishing, and sunrise viewing** directly from the site.

• **Exceptional Fishing:** The lakes and streams in the BWCA are renowned for world-class fishing, including **Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Smallmouth Bass** (valid Minnesota license and trout stamp required).

• **Unrivaled Solitude:** The mandatory paddle and portage access ensures a high degree of **peace and seclusion**. You will hear the iconic calls of the loons and perhaps the howl of wolves, but rarely the sound of civilization.

• **Glacial Geology and Scenery:** The campsite is located in an area carved by glaciers, featuring **rugged cliffs, ancient rock formations, and towering pines** (Red Pine, White Pine, Jack Pine), offering incredible photographic opportunities.

• **Dark Sky Viewing:** Remote from all major urban light sources, the BWCAW is an incredible location for **stargazing**, with frequent sightings of the Milky Way and the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

• **Voyageur History:** Camping here puts you on the historic trade and travel routes used by the indigenous people and the French-Canadian Voyageurs, offering a deep, tangible connection to Minnesota's frontier past.

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📞 **Contact Information**

All administrative and permitting needs for BWCA Campsite #1614 are handled through the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and its official reservation system, generally coordinated by the closest Ranger District or a local outfitter 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)

Recommended Local Contact: Contact any Ely-based outfitter (e.g., Piragis, Voyageur North, North Country) for route planning, gear rental, and permit issuing services.

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✔️ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing **BWCA Campsite #1614** is a choice to engage in one of the most immersive and rewarding outdoor adventures available to Minnesotans. **What is worth choosing is the unparalleled, preserved wilderness experience—a true digital detox and a test of skill and spirit.**

This campsite is ideal for experienced campers, dedicated anglers, and families seeking an authentic rite of passage into the wild. The distance and effort required to reach #1614 ensures that you are rewarded with deep solitude and a pristine environment. You are choosing to sleep where the loons call, to fish in waters that rarely see a lure, and to portage the same trails trod by history.

If you crave challenging travel, self-reliance, breathtaking natural beauty, and the ultimate quiet of a federally designated Wilderness Area, then secure your permit, pack your ultralight gear, and paddle into the unforgettable landscape that surrounds Campsite #1614. It is, unequivocally, the best of the Minnesota Northwoods.