BWCA Campsite #2321

🛶 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesotans seeking the profound quiet and challenge of a true wilderness trip, **BWCA Campsite #2321** offers a designated stopping point in one of the most popular and expansive paddling regions: the chain of lakes beginning with **Lake No. 1**. This campsite is part of the sprawling **Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**, located in the Superior National Forest near the gateway town of Ely. Unlike drive-up campgrounds, Campsite #2321 provides a primitive, undeveloped camping experience where reliance on personal skill and preparation is paramount.

Lake No. 1 is known as a main access point, making the region a vibrant hub for starting wilderness trips. Despite its proximity to a major entry point, Campsite #2321 is situated to provide a vital, regulated base for overnight stays. Like all BWCA campsites, it features only the most basic, nature-friendly amenities and requires strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles. This specific site is crucial for groups beginning a multi-day journey into the connected Lake Two and Lake Three areas, serving as a first or last night stop before heading deeper into the solitude of the wilderness.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

BWCA Campsite #2321 is located on **Lake No. 1**, a large, complex body of water that is a primary gateway into the eastern portion of the BWCAW. The general administrative area is **Lake No. 1, MN, USA**, placing it within the jurisdiction of the **Kawishiwi Ranger District** near Ely.

Accessibility to this site is exclusively by canoe and portage, starting from a key entry point:

• **Entry Point:** The site is reached via **BWCA Entry Point #30 (Lake One)**. This access point is about 11 miles east of the town of Ely off the Fernberg Road.
• **Initial Route:** From the entry point landing, paddlers can choose one of two routes: the most common route heads left (east) to bypass initial portages and paddle past the Kawishiwi Lodge, or a less-traveled route heads west along the Kawishiwi River involving a few short portages through Confusion Lake before entering the main body of Lake One.
• **Site Specifics:** Campsite #2321 is located on Lake One, often found along the shoreline of the large northeastern bay or near the route that flows toward Lake Two. Specifically, records indicate that Campsite #2321 is located along the **north shoreline of the large northeastern bay** of Lake One, strategically positioned for those progressing deeper into the chain.
• **Travel Note:** Due to its location near a major entry point and its function as a jumping-off point, the surrounding waters of Lake One can experience high canoe traffic during peak season, particularly near the main channels and portages leading to Lake Two and Lake Three.

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⚙️ **Services Offered**

As a designated, primitive wilderness campsite within the BWCAW, Campsite #2321 is kept intentionally minimal to protect the environment. No modern facilities are available, and campers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all necessary gear, food, and water purification supplies.

The core, essential services provided at BWCA Campsite #2321 include:

• **Designated Fire Grate:** A permanent, centralized **steel fire ring** is installed for safely containing campfires, which are only permitted inside this structure.
• **Wilderness Latrine:** A small, open-air pit toilet (commonly called a "thunderbox") is situated a required distance from the camp area and the shoreline for sanitary waste disposal.
• **Tent Pads:** A cleared, relatively level area or areas for setting up tents. The number and quality of these natural pads depend on the specific site's topography.
• **Water Access:** Access to the waters of Lake No. 1. **Important:** There is no potable water. All water taken from the lake must be **filtered, purified, or boiled** before consumption.
• **Canoe Landing:** A natural landing area—which may be rocky, sandy, or muddy—is available for safely loading, unloading, and securing canoes.

Visitors will not find electricity, garbage receptacles (all trash must be packed out), running water, or staff on-site. Self-reliance is the primary rule.

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🌟 **Features / Highlights**

Campsite #2321, on the scenic Lake No. 1, is noted for its strategic location and desirable characteristics for groups starting or finishing their BWCA adventure:

• **Strategic Location:** Its position on Lake No. 1 makes it an ideal spot for the first or last night of a trip, minimizing travel time to or from the Entry Point #30 landing on the first and last days.
• **Good Fishing Potential:** Lake One is known for its Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass. The campsite offers shore access to these waters, providing an opportunity for anglers to catch dinner.
• **Part of the Popular Chain:** The site is a key component of the interconnected Lake One, Two, Three, and Four chain, offering easy access to explore deeper into the wilderness area without excessive portaging to start.
• **Natural Surroundings:** The site is nestled within the beautiful boreal forest, offering classic Northwoods scenery and the chance to observe local wildlife, including deer and various bird species.
• **Views and Serenity:** While the area sees traffic, the site itself is positioned to provide a measure of peace. Its lake views are characteristic of the glacially carved landscape of Northeastern Minnesota.
• **Kawishiwi Lodge Proximity:** Located near the Kawishiwi Lodge area, it offers proximity to outfitters and amenities *outside* the wilderness boundary (at the entry point) for last-minute gear needs or a post-trip meal.

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📞 **Contact Information**

BWCA Campsite #2321 is an unstaffed wilderness location. It does not have a dedicated phone number or address for direct communication. All management, permits, and official information are handled by the **U.S. Forest Service**.

The administrative authority for Lake No. 1 is the Kawishiwi Ranger District:

**Address (Administrative/Permit Office):** 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731 (The closest Forest Service office to the area for permit pickup)

**Phone (Kawishiwi Ranger District):** (218) 365-7600

Note: An overnight permit is mandatory for all trips between May 1 and September 30. These must be reserved via Recreation.gov and picked up at a designated issuing station (like the Kawishiwi Ranger District) before entering the wilderness.

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👍 **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing BWCA Campsite #2321 on Lake No. 1 is a smart choice for the Minnesota canoeist who values **logistical convenience paired with genuine wilderness access.**

It is worth choosing because it provides a reliable, designated camping spot right at the start of a major canoe route. This location minimizes the stress of the first day's paddle, allowing groups to establish camp quickly and prepare for the deeper wilderness. While the surrounding water may see a higher volume of paddlers due to Entry Point #30’s popularity, the site itself fulfills the essential requirement for overnight stays within the wilderness boundary. Its location on the large, scenic Lake No. 1 also allows for excellent short-paddle excursions and good fishing opportunities without having to commit to major portages immediately. For first-timers, or those with limited time who still want a true BWCA experience, Campsite #2321 is a practical, beautiful, and strategically valuable base camp for unlocking the immense paddling potential of the Kawishiwi chain of lakes.