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- Region
- Minnesota, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Boreal lakes (500 m)
- Best season
- May – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Fishing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Boreal lakes (500 m)
- Best season: May – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
Topic summary
A 40-mile classic paddle around the Basswood Lake system — big-water portages and border pine.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Boreal lakes (500 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Plan with verified data
Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop trip tools
How to get there
Plan access through Moose Lake for the approach to Basswood described here. Confirm the launch location and any tow arrangements before departure; check Superior National Forest alerts for current entry and route status.
- Moose Lake
Starting lake for an approach to Basswood Lake. Match the intended trip to the appropriate entry permit and confirm launch arrangements.
- Washington Island, Basswood Lake
Reported tow drop-off on Basswood Lake from Moose Lake, rather than a road-access launch. Confirm the service and exact landing arrangements.
Sources: recreation.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Kayaking
Sheltered and open-water paddling lines.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
Animals around Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Boundary Waters — Basswood LoopAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
Planning to fish Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop, Minnesota? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Minnesota are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop?
- A Minnesota fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Minnesota fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
Thinking about hunting Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop, Minnesota? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Minnesota are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop?
- Confirm the land around Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Minnesota?
- A Minnesota hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Basswood in the Boundary Waters
Basswood Lake is a canoe-trip destination within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. The surrounding wilderness occupies more than 1,098,000 acres in the northern third of Superior National Forest and extends nearly 150 miles along the international boundary. Across the BWCAW, more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes connect a landscape suited to paddling, portaging and camping, with over 2,000 designated campsites. Those totals describe the whole wilderness, not the Basswood area alone. Moose Lake provides an approach to Basswood, and Washington Island is a reported tow destination on Basswood Lake. Treat the Basswood Loop name as a starting point for planning rather than a complete itinerary: confirm the connecting waters, portages and return route before committing to a circuit.
Entry permits and group planning
A permit is required whenever entering the BWCAW. For an overnight paddling trip between May 1 and September 30, obtain a quota permit through Recreation.gov. Availability is limited by entry point, so choose the entry and itinerary together rather than assuming a permit covers any starting location. Reservations are recommended; available walk-in permits may be obtained at an issuing station on the entry date or the day before. Permits become available on the last Wednesday of January at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Non-motorized day visitors use self-issued permits year-round, and overnight visitors entering from October 1 through April 30 also use self-issued permits. One permit covers a group, with a maximum of nine people and four watercraft together anywhere in the wilderness, including campsites, portages and water.
Travel style and current conditions
Plan the trip around both paddling and carrying equipment between waters. Pack so the group can manage its own canoe and gear, and leave room in the schedule for weather and slower travel. A tow from Moose Lake to Washington Island on Basswood is one reported approach, but confirm service arrangements and the exact drop-off before building an itinerary around it. Mobile coverage is reported as unreliable across the wilderness; carry navigation that does not depend on a signal. Check Superior National Forest alerts before departure: phased reopening information includes a closure and open-location list effective September 8, 2026. That wilderness-wide notice does not establish that every Basswood connection is open. Verify the intended entry, route and camping areas, and use the Forest Service trip-planning guide to prepare.
Route options
- Moose Lake to Basswood Lake
Use Moose Lake as the starting point for a Basswood trip. Confirm the connecting waters and portages on a current route map; this approach alone does not define a complete loop.
- Moose Lake to Washington Island by tow
A tow-assisted approach reaches Washington Island on Basswood Lake from Moose Lake. Arrange the service before departure and separately plan the paddling itinerary and return travel.
Sample itineraries
- Basswood Lake day-paddle planning option · 1 day
Plan a non-motorized day paddle only after confirming practical access to Basswood Lake with the Forest Service. Choose a turnaround that suits the group and conditions. This is a planning option, not a verified loop; carry the required self-issued day-use permit.
- Moose Lake to Basswood Lake planning option · 3 days
Use three days as a provisional planning allowance for paddling and camping between Moose Lake and Basswood Lake. Confirm the route, portages, designated campsites and return logistics before booking. The duration is a suggested framework, not a verified completion time for the Basswood Loop.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring transition; quota season begins May 1
Confirm lake and access conditions before committing to paddling. Self-issued permits apply through April 30; overnight paddling requires a quota permit beginning May 1. Permit availability does not establish whether conditions suit the trip.
Summer
Summer; within the May 1–September 30 quota season
Plan overnight travel around entry-point permit availability. Reserve ahead rather than depending on a walk-in permit. Leave flexibility for weather and the group's paddling and portaging pace.
Fall
Fall transition; non-quota season begins October 1
Overnight paddling requires a quota permit through September 30 and a self-issued permit beginning October 1. Check Superior National Forest alerts for phased reopening and access restrictions before departure.
Winter
Winter; within the October 1–April 30 non-quota season
Self-issued permits remain required. Confirm seasonal travel conditions and appropriate access with the Forest Service; do not treat a summer canoe plan as a verified winter itinerary.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring transition; quota season begins May 1 | Confirm lake and access conditions before committing to paddling. Self-issued permits apply through April 30; overnight paddling requires a quota permit beginning May 1. Permit availability does not establish whether conditions suit the trip. |
| Summer | Summer; within the May 1–September 30 quota season | Plan overnight travel around entry-point permit availability. Reserve ahead rather than depending on a walk-in permit. Leave flexibility for weather and the group's paddling and portaging pace. |
| Fall | Fall transition; non-quota season begins October 1 | Overnight paddling requires a quota permit through September 30 and a self-issued permit beginning October 1. Check Superior National Forest alerts for phased reopening and access restrictions before departure. |
| Winter | Winter; within the October 1–April 30 non-quota season | Self-issued permits remain required. Confirm seasonal travel conditions and appropriate access with the Forest Service; do not treat a summer canoe plan as a verified winter itinerary. |
Permits, fees & closures
A permit is always required. Overnight paddling requires a quota permit May 1–September 30. Non-motorized day use year-round and all visits October 1–April 30 require self-issued permits. One permit covers a group; no more than nine people and four watercraft may be together.
Fees: Self-issued permits for October 1–April 30 have no recreation fees.
Reservations: Quota permits open the last Wednesday of January at 9:00 a.m. CT through Recreation.gov. Reservations are recommended. Available walk-in permits may be obtained at issuing stations on the entry date or one day before. Self-issued permits require no reservation and are available at entry-point kiosks and Forest Service offices.
Official source: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest · Verified September 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Mobile coverage has major reported issues. Carry offline navigation and do not rely on a phone signal for assistance.
- Phased reopening and entry-point closures can affect access. Check current Superior National Forest alerts before choosing an entry point or starting travel.
- Canoeing and portaging require conservative decisions about conditions, loads and group ability. Leave enough flexibility to stop rather than force the day's plan.
What to pack for Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop
- Properly fitted personal flotation device
- Paddle and spare paddle
- Waterproof bags
- Footwear suitable for carrying loads on portages
- Required permit
- Route map and compass
- Offline navigation
- Current access and closure information
- Emergency communication device that does not depend on cellular coverage
- Shelter and sleep system suited to the forecast
- Rain protection and insulating layers
- Drinking-water treatment
- Food and suitable storage
- First-aid kit
Boundary Waters — Basswood Loop FAQ
- Is there a confirmed Basswood Loop route here?
- The exact loop alignment, portage sequence, distance and travel time are not established. Confirm these with the Forest Service before selecting an entry permit. Do not assume a Moose Lake–Basswood Lake trip automatically forms a loop.
- Can Moose Lake be used for a Basswood Lake trip?
- Travel from Moose Lake to Basswood Lake is documented, including a tow to Washington Island on Basswood. Confirm current access, service availability and onward travel logistics before relying on that option.
- Where can the group camp?
- The BWCAW has more than 2,000 designated campsites across the wilderness. Confirm campsite locations along the intended Basswood route; that wilderness-wide total does not establish availability on this trip.
- How large can the group be?
- No more than nine people and four watercraft may be together anywhere in the BWCAW, including water, portages and campsites. Smaller groups reduce impacts and can improve opportunities to observe wildlife.
- What should be checked immediately before departure?
- Check Superior National Forest alerts, the phased-reopening map and closure list, entry-point status, permit details and weather. Confirm the complete route and return plan rather than relying on the destination name alone.