BWCA Campsite #2322

**Introduction / Overview: True Wilderness Awaits in the Northwoods**

For Minnesotans, the

**Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)**

is the pinnacle of outdoor adventure—a vast, pristine landscape of interconnected lakes, streams, and portage trails.

**BWCA Campsite #2322**

is one of over 2,000 designated sites scattered throughout this million-acre sanctuary, representing the genuine, primitive camping experience that defines the region. Unlike drive-up campgrounds, access to Campsite #2322 is a journey in itself, requiring a permit, a canoe, physical effort, and a commitment to the strict principles of wilderness preservation.

This specific campsite, located in the vast roadless area accessible through the

**Fall Lake Entry Point (#24)**

, offers a chance to fully immerse oneself in the solitude of the Northwoods. It is a

**first-come, first-served**

site, meaning securing it is part of the adventure—success depends entirely on timing, route planning, and luck. Campsite #2322, like all BWCA sites, provides basic necessities: a steel fire grate for cooking and warmth, and a dedicated wilderness latrine (outhouse).

Reviewers of this specific site note its typical BWCA ruggedness, mentioning a

**"Steep rock side to walk up"**

from the landing, indicating a physical challenge upon arrival. However, it also features

**"2 good tent pads close together,"**

suggesting it is well-suited for a small group or family willing to embrace the terrain. This is the BWCA experience: raw, challenging, and profoundly rewarding, offering a level of solitude and natural beauty few places in the lower 48 states can match. For the Minnesota explorer, securing a campsite like #2322 is a badge of honor and the starting point for an unforgettable paddle trip.

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**Location and Accessibility: Paddling from Fall Lake into the Wilderness**

Campsite #2322 is situated in the wilderness accessible via the popular

**Fall Lake Entry Point (Entry Point 24)**

, which is located near the town of Ely, Minnesota. The general area is within

**Fall Lake Township, MN 55731**

, and falls under the management of the Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest.

Accessibility is strictly managed to preserve the wilderness character:

• **Permit Required**

  : For overnight use, a

  **Quota Permit**

  must be secured in advance through Recreation.gov for the peak season (May 1 - September 30). This permit dictates the entry date and specific entry point (Fall Lake #24) that must be used.

• **Non-Motorized Access**

  : To reach Campsite #2322, travelers must paddle, requiring a canoe or kayak. While Fall Lake itself allows limited motorboat use, travel into the deepest parts of the BWCAW requires non-motorized travel and

  **portaging**

  (carrying boats and gear between lakes).

• **No Direct Road Access**

  : There is

  **no vehicle access**

  to the campsite. All gear, food, and supplies must be transported by watercraft and carried over land trails.

• **Distance from Entry**

  : Depending on its precise location on Fall Lake or one of the subsequent lakes (like Newton or Basswood), the site could be reached after a few hours of paddling or may require a significant day of paddling and portaging, making the journey part of the overall experience.

The adventure begins at the Fall Lake access point, which is approximately six miles east of the essential outfitting and supply town of Ely. This location offers easy access for Minnesotans traveling north from the Duluth area and ensures proximity to outfitters for gear rental and shuttle services.

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**Services Offered (Essential Primitive Functionality)**

In the BWCAW, "services" are intentionally limited to preserve the area's primitive, undeveloped character. Campsite #2322 provides the core necessities required for responsible wilderness camping:

• **Tent Pads**

  : The site features

  **designated tent pads**

  —level areas cleared of rocks and roots—designed to minimize impact on the fragile forest floor. The site review suggests there are two well-defined pads available.

• **Fire Grate**

  : A fixed,

  **steel fire grate**

  is provided for safe, contained campfires and cooking. Visitors are strictly prohibited from building fires outside of this grate or cutting live wood.

• **Wilderness Latrine**

  : A designated

  **wilderness latrine**

  (pit toilet or outhouse) is situated away from the campsite and water source, ensuring sanitary waste disposal and water quality protection.

• **No Potable Water**

  : There is

  **NO clean, running, or potable water source**

  provided. Campers must collect water from the lake and treat it (boil, filter, or chemical treatment) before consumption.

• **No Developed Utilities**

  : Absolutely

  **NO electricity, flush toilets, showers, garbage service, or Wi-Fi**

  are available. Campers must practice strict Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash.

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**Features / Highlights (Solitude, Challenge, and Natural Beauty)**

The true highlights of Campsite #2322 are the intangible qualities of the BWCAW experience, highly valued by the Minnesota outdoor community:

• **Unmatched Solitude**

  : Due to the quota permit system and the vastness of the wilderness, campers can expect a profound sense of

  **quiet and isolation**

  , fostering deep connection with the natural environment.

• **Trophy Fishing**

  : The surrounding lakes, accessible from Fall Lake, are renowned for excellent fishing, particularly for

  **Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass**

  . The wilderness setting enhances the challenge and reward of the catch.

• **The Canoe Challenge**

  : The need to paddle and portage makes every trip a physical and mental challenge, rewarding participants with a sense of

  **self-reliance and accomplishment**

  unlike typical vehicle camping.

• **Dark Sky Sanctuary**

  : The BWCAW is one of the world's designated

  **Dark Sky Sanctuaries**

  , offering unparalleled views of the Milky Way, constellations, and frequent opportunities to view the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

• **Unique Site Terrain**

  : The campsite's character, including its

  **steep, rocky landing**

  , ensures that the site is rugged and retains its wild, Northwoods appeal, discouraging casual visitors.

• **Wildlife**

  : The area is home to iconic Minnesota wildlife, including

  **Moose, Beaver, Bald Eagles, and Gray Wolves**

  , providing extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities for the quiet observer.

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**Contact Information**

Since Campsite #2322 is a specific wilderness site, direct contact is made through the official managing agencies and the reservation service.

**Address:** Wilderness Site, Accessible via Fall Lake Entry Point 24, Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA

**Managing District (for trip information and conditions):**

**Kawishiwi Ranger District**

**District Phone:**

** (218) 365-7600**

**Permit Reservations:** Quota permits (May 1 – September 30) must be reserved through

**Recreation.gov**

.

**Note on Site Selection:** Campsites are

**first-come, first-served**

; you cannot reserve Campsite #2322 specifically, only the entry point and date.

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**What is Worth Choosing: The Defining Minnesota Wilderness Experience**

For the Minnesota resident who seeks to understand and experience the true heart of the Northwoods, choosing to camp at a site like BWCA Campsite #2322 is

**choosing the definitive wilderness challenge**

. It is the ultimate expression of the state's outdoor heritage.

What makes it worth the effort—the portaging, the strict rules, the lack of modern amenities—is the

**unparalleled solitude and the purity of the environment**

. This campsite demands self-reliance: you must carry everything in, filter your own water, and pack everything out, leaving no trace. This level of commitment is what earns the profound reward of watching the Aurora over a wilderness lake, catching a walleye for dinner from an unspoiled shoreline, and enjoying the near-absolute silence of the boreal forest.

While Campsite #2322 is noted for its challenging

**steep, rocky approach**

, this very characteristic is a feature, not a drawback, for the adventurous Minnesotan. It naturally filters out less prepared visitors, ensuring that those who reach the site are fully committed to the experience, thus protecting the wilderness character. Choosing this site, or any BWCA campsite, is choosing to step back in time and accept the wilderness on its own rugged, beautiful terms.