BWCA Campsite #2186

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesota natives seeking to fully immerse themselves in the state’s world-renowned lake country, **BWCA Campsite #2186** offers a true wilderness test and an unforgettable reward. This site is a single, primitive camping location tucked deep within the **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**, a federally protected area spanning over a million acres in the **Superior National Forest**. Unlike drive-in facilities, Campsite #2186 is strictly a **paddle-in/portage-in** destination, embodying the core principles of wilderness travel and low-impact recreation.

While the exact features of every single BWCA campsite can change with weather and time, public records indicate that Campsite #2186 is located on **Blackstone Lake**. This positioning makes it accessible via the Kawishiwi Lake Entry Point (#37) or similar routes branching off the main Ely/Winton area. It is vital to understand that this is not "developed" camping; it is raw, authentic wilderness. Campsite #2186 adheres to strict regulations designed to protect the fragile ecosystem, including limits on group size (maximum 9 people) and the prohibition of motorized equipment. Choosing this site means committing to self-sufficiency and embracing the ultimate quiet that the Minnesota Northwoods is famous for.

📍 **Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #2186 is situated in a remote, protected area, with its nearest logistical hub being **Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA**, near the communities of Ely and Tofte. Its location on **Blackstone Lake** dictates a challenging, yet deeply rewarding, approach, generally involving a long journey from the nearest public road.

• **Entry Point:** Access to Blackstone Lake is frequently achieved via **Entry Point #37 - Kawishiwi Lake**, requiring groups to secure a mandatory Quota Permit for that specific entry point and date.
• **Canoe/Portage Required:** The site is reached entirely by human power, demanding multiple hours of **paddling** and rigorous **portaging** (carrying canoes and gear over land trails between lakes). This distance ensures the high level of solitude enjoyed at the site.
• **Trail Conditions:** The portages and campsite access trails can be rugged, rooty, and muddy, requiring proper footwear and conditioning.
• **No Direct Road Access:** Vehicles must be left at the designated entry point parking lot (e.g., Kawishiwi Lake), requiring a multi-day commitment to the wilderness.

🛠️ **Services Offered**

Consistent with its wilderness designation, Campsite #2186 provides only the most basic amenities required by the U.S. Forest Service to manage human impact. Campers must view the site as a base camp providing minimal infrastructure and must plan to be fully self-sufficient.

• **Designated Campsite:** A specific, small area is cleared and designated for tents, usually providing space for 2-3 tents, but offering no built-in tent pads or shelters.
• **Fire Grate:** A steel fire grate is provided at the main cooking area. **All fires must be contained within this grate.** (Always check for fire bans).
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A rustic pit toilet (latrine) is located a short distance from the main camp area to ensure proper sanitation.
• **Water Source:** **No Potable Water** is provided. All water for drinking and cooking must be sourced from Blackstone Lake and purified using filters, chemicals, or boiling.
• **No Food Storage:** Campers are responsible for bringing their own equipment (ropes, bear barrels, or bags) and properly hanging or storing all food and scented items away from the campsite to protect wildlife.
• **Pack-In, Pack-Out:** **No trash collection.** All refuse, including waste and food scraps, must be packed out of the wilderness entirely.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

The highlights of Campsite #2186 are intrinsically linked to the untouched natural environment of Blackstone Lake, offering a classic Minnesota wilderness experience far from development.

• **True Wilderness Isolation:** Its remote location on Blackstone Lake guarantees minimal traffic, offering exceptional quiet, privacy, and an unmatched sense of being truly alone in the wild.
• **Stunning Boreal Scenery:** Blackstone Lake is surrounded by the unique flora of the boreal forest, including towering pines and beautiful granite rock outcrops that offer scenic views and great photo opportunities.
• **Excellent Fishing Potential:** Like many lakes in the area, Blackstone Lake is known to be excellent for angling, potentially yielding **Walleye** and **Northern Pike**. The depth and clarity of the water often make for a rewarding fishing experience.
• **Wildlife Encounters:** The deep-woods setting increases the opportunity for viewing large mammals like **moose and black bears**, as well as the sight and sound of the iconic **Common Loon**.
• **Paddling Routes:** Campsite #2186 is part of a larger chain, providing the option for layover days and continued exploration of nearby lakes via additional portages, ideal for multi-day loop trips.
• **Stargazing:** Away from all light pollution, the campsite provides an incomparable view of the Milky Way and night sky—a truly humbling experience in the Northwoods.

📞 **Contact Information**

Due to the primitive and remote nature of BWCA Campsite #2186, all essential planning and information must be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service office managing the area.

P **Address (Administrative Area):** Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA

P **Managing Office:** Kawishiwi Ranger District, Superior National Forest

P **Phone (Permits/Information):** (218) 365-7600 (The number for the Kawishiwi Ranger District, the nearest managing station for this section of the BWCA.)

P *Note: All quota permits (May 1 – Sept 30) must be reserved in advance through the federal Recreation.gov system.*

✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing BWCA Campsite #2186 is a deliberate decision to pursue a high-quality, authentic Minnesota wilderness trip. **What is worth choosing** here is the **absolute, hard-earned solitude** that comes with a site deep in the Boundary Waters, far beyond the day-trippers and car-campers. It represents a quintessential Northwoods adventure.

This particular site is worth the extra paddling and portaging effort for dedicated groups who prioritize a secluded base camp for fishing and exploration. If your idea of a perfect Minnesota vacation is testing your mettle against the elements, mastering map and compass navigation, and experiencing a truly quiet night only broken by the calls of the loons, then securing a permit for the route to Blackstone Lake and finding Campsite #2186 will deliver a deeply satisfying and unparalleled wilderness memory.