Plan with verified data
Boundary Waters trip tools
Before you go
| # | Entry point | Permit method | Ranger district | Access notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trout Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | LaCroix/Cook | Access from Vermilion Lake via a 60-rod canoe portage or 180-rod portage that allows the use of portage wheels. |
| 4 | Crab Lake & Cummings Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access from Burntside Lake with a 360-rod portage to Crab Lake. |
| 6 | Slim Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 90-rod portage to Slim Lake Portages to three additional lakes. |
| 7 | From Big Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access La Pond Lake with a 160-rod portage from outside the BWCAW on Big Lake. |
| 8 | Moose River South | Overnight Paddle Only | LaCroix/Cook | Access is a canoe landing heading South from the Echo Trail. Three portages to enter Big Moose Lake. |
| 9 | Little Indian Sioux River South | Overnight Paddle Only | LaCroix/Cook | Heading South from the Echo Trail. Difficult route. Four portages to Bootleg Lake. |
| 10 | Norway Trail | Overnight | LaCroix/Cook | 8 mile trail or 2 mile option. No loops. |
| 11 | Blandin Trail | Overnight | LaCroix/Cook | Winter route to Lamb Lake. 2.4 miles. |
| 12 | Little Vermilion Lake" | Overnight Paddle or Motor | LaCroix/Cook | Enter from Crane Lake. Note: not the entry point to use for Trout Lake (#1). On U.S. side motors allowed only up to edge of Snow Bay on Lac La Croix. |
| 12A | Lac La Croix Only"" | Overnight Paddle or Motor | LaCroix/Cook | Enter from Crane Lake. You must camp all nights on Lac La Croix. Day trips to other lakes permitted. Use this entry point only after Entry Point 12 Little Vermilion Lake is full. Very difficult to reach Lac La Croix by paddle in one day. |
| 13 | Herriman Lake Trail | Overnight | LaCroix/Cook | 15 miles of trail accesses 4 lakes. Loop options. |
| 14 | Little Indian Sioux River North | Overnight Paddle Only | LaCroix/Cook | Access is a 40-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail. |
| 15 | Sioux-Hustler Trail | Overnight | LaCroix/Cook | 30 mile round trip with loop. Primitive trail not well maintained. |
| 16 | Moose/Portage River North | Overnight Paddle Only | LaCroix/Cook | (North of Echo Trail) Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail. |
| 19 | Stuart River | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 480-rod portage to the Stuart River. |
| 20 | Angleworm Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 640-rod portage to Angleworm Lake. |
| 21 | Angleworm Trail | Overnight | Kawishiwi/Ely | Trail loops around Angleworm Lake. 12 miles. If paddling, use entry point #20. |
| 22 | Mudro Lake—Restricted | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Three accesses into Mudro Lake involve portages ranging from 20–185 rods. Restriction is no camping on Horse Lake. |
| 23 | Mudro Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access into Mudro Lake involves portages ranging from 20–185 rods. |
| 24 | Fall Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a boat landing at Fall Lake. Several trip options to Newton, Basswood, & Mud Lakes with additional portages. |
| 25 | Moose Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is an boat landing or canoe launch at Moose Lake. Many trip options for paddlers with additional portages. |
| 26 | Wood Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access to Wood Lake is a 180-rod portage. |
| 27 | Snowbank Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a boat landing or canoe launch at Snowbank Lake. Many trip options for paddlers. |
| 28 | Snowbank Lake Only | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Must camp all nights on Snowbank Lake. Paddle day trips to other lakes are permitted. Access is a boat landing or canoe launch at Snowbank Lake. |
| 29 | North Kawishiwi River | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access the North Kawishiwi River through Ojibway Lake and Triangle Lake using two portages. |
| 30 | Lake One | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a canoe landing at Lake One. |
| 31 | Farm Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a boat landing on Farm Lake with access to South Farm Lake. Paddlers access North Kawishiwi River from Farm Lake. Some trip options available for paddlers with additional portages. |
| 32 | South Kawishiwi River | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 140-rod portage to the river. |
| 33 | Little Gabbro Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 200-rod portage from the parking lot to Little Gabbro Lake. |
| 34 | Island River | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Two small portages leading to Isabella River. |
| 35 | Isabella Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a 70-rod portage to Isabella Lake. |
| 36 | Hog Creek | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a 15-rod portage to Hog Creek leading into Perent Lake. |
| 37 | Kawishiwi Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a boat landing at Kawishiwi Lake. |
| 38 | Sawbill Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a boat landing at Sawbill Lake. |
| 39 | Baker Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a boat landing at Baker Lake with a 10-rod portage into Peterson Lake to reach first campsite. |
| 40 | Homer Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a boat landing at Homer Lake. Part of Homer Lake is outside of the BWCAW (motors allowed) |
| 41 | Brule Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a boat landing at Brule Lake. Large lake with several campsites. |
| 43 | Bower Trout lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a 72-rod portage from small parking area into Bower Trout. |
| 44 | Ram Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a 97-rod portage from the parking area. |
| 45 | Morgan Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a 320-rod portage to Morgan Lake. No campsites on Morgan Lake—short portages to further lakes for campsites. |
| 47 | Lizz & Swamp Lakes | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access from Poplar Lake by 51-rod portage to Lizz Lake and 100-rod portage into Swamp Lake. |
| 48 | Meeds Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access from Poplar Lake into Meeds Lake with a 220-rod portage. |
| 49 | Skipper & Portage Lakes | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a 320-rod portage from Poplar Lake or a 230-rod portage from Iron Lake. |
| 50 | Cross Bay Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is thru the Cross River with two portages to Ham Lake and a 24-rod portage to Cross Bay Lake. |
| 51 | Missing Link Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a canoe landing at Round Lake with a 142-rod portage to Missing Link Lake. |
| 52 | Brant Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is a canoe landing at Round Lake with two 85-rod portages to Brant Lake. |
| 54 | Seagull Lake^^ | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | No motors (use or possession) west of Three Mile Island. Large lake with several campsites. Landing at Seagull Lake. |
| 55 | Saganaga Lake** | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | No motors (use or possession) west of American Point. Access to Canada (the Crown land and Quetico Park). Large lake with many campsites and easy access. |
| 56 | Kekekabic Trail—East | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | 46 mile trail that continues to the west side trail head. Rolling terrain through several lakes. Minimal use. |
| 57 | Magnetic Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access Magnetic Lake and Granite River from Gunflint Lake. |
| 58 | South Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is from Gunflint Lake with a 10-mile paddle and two short portages to South Lake. |
| 59 | Partridge Lake/S. Lake Trail | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | 4 miles. If paddling use Entry Point #60. |
| 60 | Duncan Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is from W. Bearskin Lake with a 70-rod portage to Duncan Lake and an 80-rod portage to Rose Lake. |
| 61 | Daniels Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access is from W. Bearskin Lake with a 60-rod portage to Daniels Lake and 665-rod portage to Rose Lake. |
| 62 | Clearwater Lake^ | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Motors allowed on Clearwater Lake only. |
| 64 | East Bearskin Lake* | Overnight Paddle or Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Motors allowed on East Bearskin Lake only. No motors on Alder & Canoe. |
| 66 | Crocodile River | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Can access Crocodile Lake from Crocodile River or East Bearskin. Must spend all nights on Crocodile Lake. |
| 67 | Bog Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a 232-rod portage into the lake. Bog Lake has three campsites, and does not provide access to other lakes. |
| 68 | Pine Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access through McFarland Lake by a 2-rod portage. |
| 69 | John Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access from Little John Lake with a 10-rod portage to John Lake. |
| 70 | North Fowl Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access from Little John Lake with an 88-rod and a 160-rod portage to get to North Fowl Lake. Border lake between U.S. & Canada. |
| 71 | From Canada | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely/ LaCroix/Cook Gunflint/Grand Marais | Use only when trip originates in Canada, then travels into the BWCAW. No camping in the Vento Unit — the area east of Gunflint Lake and north of the Gunflint and Arrowhead Trails in the BWCAW — during the month of August. |
| 74 | Kekekabic Trail W./Snowbank | Overnight | Kawishiwi/Ely | Loop option includes 27 miles of the Snowbank trail, plus the 46 mile Kekekabic Trail that continues to the east side trail head. |
| 75 | Little Isabella River | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a 20-rod portage to Little Isabella River. Several short portages lead to the Isabella River. |
| 76 | Big Moose Lake Trail | Overnight | LaCroix/Cook | No loop options. 2 miles to Big Moose Lake. If paddling use Entry Point #8. |
| 77 | South Hegman Lake | Overnight Paddle Only | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a 80-rod portage to South Hegman Lake. |
| 78 | Brule Lake Trail | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Trailhead is on Forest Road 326, 1/3 mile south of the Brule Lake parking lot on the east side of the road. Parking at Brule Lake lot. Total trail distance is 7 miles. |
| 79 | Eagle Mountain Trail | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | The trail is 3.5 miles to the top (one way). Provides access to Brule Lake Trail. |
| 80 | Larch Creek | Overnight Paddle Only | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Access from the canoe landing at Larch Creek. |
| 81 | Border Route Trail—West | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | 53 miles. Shorter options available. |
| 82 | Border Route Trail—Center | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | 53 miles. Shorter options available. |
| 83 | Border Route Trail—East | Overnight | Gunflint/Grand Marais | 53 miles. Shorter options available. |
| 84 | Snake River | Overnight Paddle Only | Tofte/Tofte | Access is a 198-rod portage to Snake River & several short portages before reaching Bald Eagle Lake. |
| 86 | Pow Wow Trail | Overnight | Tofte/Tofte | 30 mile loop trail. |
| A | Trout Lake* | Day Use Motor | LaCroix/Cook | Access from Lake Vermilion via a 180-rod portage suitable for portage wheels. Commercial portage service available. |
| C | Fall Lake Only* | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Valid only on Fall Lake not Newton or Basswood. Access is a boat landing at Fall Lake. |
| D | Fall Lake, Newton, Pipestone & Beyond* | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Access is a boat landing at Fall Lake. Valid on Fall, Newton & Basswood. |
| F | Moose Lake to Newfound & Sucker Lakes* | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely beyond Sucker Lake | Valid only on Moose, Newfound and Sucker Lakes. Travel not permitted |
| G | Moose Lake to Prairie Portage to Basswood** | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Commercial portage service available. Valid on Moose, Newfound, Sucker and Basswood Lakes. |
| H | Snowbank Lake* | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Motors allowed on Snowbank Lake only. |
| I | South Farm Lake* | Day Use Motor | Kawishiwi/Ely | Motors allowed on South Farm Lake only. |
| J | Saganaga Lake* | Day Use Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | No motors (use or possession) west of American Point. Access to Canada. |
| K | Seagull Lake^ | Day Use Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | No motors (use or possession) allowed west of Three Mile Island. |
| L | Clearwater Lake^ | Day Use Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Motors allowed on Clearwater Lake only. |
| M | East Bearskin Lake* | Day Use Motor | Gunflint/Grand Marais | Motors allowed on East Bearskin Lake only. No motors on Alder or Canoe Lakes. |
Before you choose
Your overnight permit is tied to one entry point and one date, and quota permits for popular entries sell out for peak weekends. Check availability and reserve through Recreation.gov, and confirm current conditions and any closures on the Superior National Forest site before you go.