BWCA Campsite #1666

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

The **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**, a cherished part of Minnesota's Superior National Forest, offers a unique opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in a million acres of preserved North Woods. To secure this experience, every overnight visitor must adhere to the rules of primitive camping, including securing a limited-entry quota permit and strictly following 'Leave No Trace' principles.

**BWCA Campsite #1666** is a specific, designated camping location situated on **Wind Lake**. While the provided address references the proximity to **Prairie Portage**, this geographical location places the site in a strategic, often remote area of the BWCA that serves as a vital access point to the **International Boundary** and Canada's Quetico Provincial Park. Wind Lake is one of the more secluded lakes in this region, generally accessed via Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake Chain) or other, deeper routes, ensuring a more dedicated journey to reach its shores.

Campsite #1666 is known within the BWCA campsite database for its designation as a primitive site that requires complete self-sufficiency. Its presence on Wind Lake offers a quieter, more solitary experience compared to the heavily trafficked entry point lakes, appealing to Minnesota residents seeking genuine wilderness solitude and excellent opportunities for day-tripping deeper into the vast network of waterways.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

The administrative location, **2F8M+XW, Prairie Portage, MN 55731, USA**, indicates that Campsite #1666 is accessed through the system of lakes leading up to the International Border station at Prairie Portage, a major logistical hub for the area.

Accessibility to Campsite #1666 on Wind Lake requires significant paddling and portaging:

• **Entry Point:** Access is most commonly achieved via **Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake)**, located near Ely, MN. This involves paddling and using motor tows (where permitted) across the Moose Lake Chain (Moose, Newfound, Sucker) to reach the vicinity of Prairie Portage.
• **The Journey:** From the end of the Moose Lake Chain, groups portage and paddle into the area, continuing past Basswood Lake or through connecting routes until reaching the secluded waters of Wind Lake. This distance means Campsite #1666 is typically a **second-day camping destination** for a group making good time.
• **Travel Method:** The entire route requires **paddle-only** travel (May 1 – September 30) once past the motor-allowed portions of the main entry lakes. Portage wheels (mechanical assistance) are specifically permitted over the Prairie Portage to assist with gear transport, easing the transition into the deeper area.
• **Permit Necessity:** An **Overnight Paddle Quota Permit** for Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake) or the applicable entry point must be secured through Recreation.gov.

Being on Wind Lake, the site offers a more removed sense of solitude than the main thoroughfare lakes, rewarding the paddling effort required to reach it.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a designated, primitive campsite within the federally managed BWCAW, Campsite #1666 provides only the mandated basic facilities for low-impact wilderness use. Campers must be fully prepared to handle all necessities themselves:

• **Designated Tent Pads:** Cleared, established areas designed to concentrate impact and minimize erosion, suitable for pitching tents. Early information suggests this area may offer a good number of potential tent pads (with a reported average of 5 maximum pads).
• **Steel Fire Grate:** A permanent, centralized metal ring and grate installed at the site for safely containing campfires, which are crucial for cooking and warmth (always observe current fire bans).
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A simple, pit-style latrine provided for the sanitary disposal of human waste, located a required distance from the camp area and the lake.
• **Water Source:** Direct access to Wind Lake, where water **must be treated** (filtered, boiled, or chemically purified) before consumption, as no potable water is provided.

There are no services for garbage disposal, electricity, cellular service, or potable water. All food, supplies, and waste must be packed in and packed out by the group.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

Campsite #1666 on Wind Lake, while not one of the most frequently reviewed sites, possesses inherent characteristics that make it an attractive and rewarding destination for the discerning Minnesota paddler:

• **Seclusion and Quiet:** Located on Wind Lake, which is off the main, direct routes, the site generally receives less visitor traffic than sites on the Moose Lake or Basswood Lake chains, offering a heightened sense of **wilderness solitude**.
• **Good Group Capacity:** Early campsite database information suggests the potential for a decent size camp (reported average maximum of 5 tent pads), making it a viable option for a mid-to-large size group (up to the 9-person limit).
• **Basecamp for Deeper Exploration:** Its location is excellent for those intending to explore the lakes surrounding the Prairie Portage area, which include important bodies of water that lead directly toward the Quetico Provincial Park border.
• **Fishing Potential:** Wind Lake is known as a smaller, typically deeper lake, often yielding good fishing for species like Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike, providing a more focused angling experience away from the highly-pressured waters.
• **Classic Boreal Forest Setting:** The lake is surrounded by mature forest, providing excellent shade, ample natural firewood (though heavily used sites may require gathering wood by canoe), and numerous trees for safe food hanging and hammock setup.

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📞 **Contact Information**

Since BWCA Campsite #1666 is an undeveloped location within the protected wilderness, all formal communication, permits, and regulation inquiries must be handled through the U.S. Forest Service.

• **Official Campsite Location (Administrative):** 2F8M+XW, Prairie Portage, MN 55731, USA (Located on Wind Lake)
• **Managing Authority:** USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District (associated with the Ely area).
• **Permit Reservations:** Overnight Quota Permits (May 1 – September 30) for the most likely entry point, **Entry Point #25 (Moose Lake)**, must be secured through **Recreation.gov**.
• **Kawishiwi Ranger Station Phone (Ely Area):** (218) 365-7600 (Recommended for checking current fire conditions, water levels, and permit issuance).

Contacting a local, reputable outfitter in Ely is highly recommended for obtaining detailed maps, renting necessary gear, and navigating the complex route to Wind Lake.

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing BWCA Campsite #1666**

For Minnesota outdoor adventurers who have some experience with BWCA travel and seek a rewarding destination beyond the immediate entry lakes, Campsite #1666 on Wind Lake is an excellent choice. It is worth choosing for these key reasons:

• **Heightened Solitude:** The site's location, requiring multiple portages and a dedicated paddle, naturally filters out casual visitors, offering a more peaceful and traditional wilderness experience.
• **Strategic Basecamp:** It serves as a great base for groups wanting to paddle the areas around Prairie Portage or potentially attempt a deeper, multi-day loop without committing to the Quetico permit process.
• **Excellent Angling Potential:** Wind Lake's less-traveled waters provide a strong opportunity for focused fishing, particularly if targeting Lake Trout or other cold-water species that thrive in the deeper lake basins.
• **Easier Portage Logistics:** The availability of mechanical assistance on the major portage into this area (Prairie Portage) reduces some of the physical strain of hauling gear and makes the deeper location more accessible to groups with varied fitness levels.

Choose Campsite #1666 for a memorable, secluded, and strategically placed basecamp that truly embodies the heart of the Minnesota Boundary Waters wilderness.