BWCA Wilderness Rules
& Regulations
TRAVEL PERMITS
You must enter the BWCAW at the entry point and on the entry date shown on
your permit.
GROUP SIZE
Nine (9) people and four (4) watercraft are the maximum allowed together
in the wilderness.
You may not exceed the limit at any time or anywhere (on water, portages,
campsites) in the BWCAW.
Smaller groups increase your wilderness experience and decrease the
impacts.
TOILET FACILITIES AND WATER QUALITY
Use latrines at designated campsites.
Latrines are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose
only. Personal waste items such as cigarettes, cotton swabs, or plastic
feminine products should always be packed out and should never go into the
latrines.
If you're not near a latrine, dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least
150 feet or more back from the water's edge. When finished, fill hole and
cover with needles and leaves.
Bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams.
All soaps pollute water including soaps labeled "biodegradable."
CONTAINERS
Cans and glass bottles are not allowed.
Containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles,
and other items that are not foods or beverages are the only cans and
bottles you may keep in their original containers.
Food may be packaged in plastic containers that must be packed out with
you.
FISH REMAINS
Dispose of fish remain well away from shorelines, campsites, trails and
portages.
CAMPFIRES
Fires are allowed within the steel fire grates at designated campsites
or as specifically approved on your visitor's permit.
Bringing a small camp stove may be a better idea because it heats food
more quickly, has less impact than a fire, and comes in handy during rainy
weather.
Due to the potential fire danger, fire restrictions may be put into
effect. Check on current conditions just prior to your trip. You may be
required to use a camp stove if there is a campfire ban.
If you build a fire, burn only dead wood found lying on the ground.
Collect firewood away from campsites by paddling down the shore and
walking into the woods where it is more abundant.
Wood easily broken by hand or cut with a small folding saw eliminates the
need for an axe.
Drown your fire with water any time you are going to be away from your
camp or at bedtime. Stir the ashes until they are cold to the touch with a
bare hand.
CAMPSITES
Camp only at Forest Service designated campsites that have steel fire
grates and wilderness latrines.
Make camp early in the day to ensure finding an available campsite.
It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason.
You may camp up to fourteen (14) consecutive days on a specific site.
STORING WATERCRAFT
Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with your current visit
may be stored and left unattended.
All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the
end of each trip.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Leave archaeological, historical, and rock painting sites undisturbed.
The use of metal detectors is prohibited.
MOTOR-POWERED WATERCRAFT
REGULATIONS
No other motorized or mechanized
equipment (including pontoon boats, sailboats, sailboards) is allowed. All
other lakes or portions of lakes within the BWCAW are paddle-only. Motors
may not be used or be in possession on any paddle-only lake. Motor-powered
watercraft are permitted only on following designated lakes:
LAKES WITH A 10 HORSEPOWER
LIMIT
On these lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 6
horsepower is permitted, as long as motors in use do not exceed 10
horsepower.
Clearwater
North Fowl
South Fowl
Seagull (no motors generally west of Three Mile Island)
Sections of Island River within the BWCAW.
LAKES WITH A 25 HORSEPOWER
LIMIT
On these lakes or portions of these lakes, the possession of one
additional motor no greater than 10 horsepower is permitted, as long as
motors in use do not exceed 25 horsepower.
Basswood (except that
portion north of Jackfish Bay and Washington Island)
Saganaga (except that portion west of American Point).
Fall
Newton
Moose
Newfound
Sucker
Snowbank
East Bearskin
South Farm
Trout
LAKES WITH NO HORSEPOWER
LIMITS
Little Vermilion
Loon
Lac La Croix (not beyond the south end of Snow Bay in the U.S.A.)
Loon River.
PORTAGE WHEELS
Mechanical assistance is only permitted over the following: International
Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Fall-Newton-Pipestone and Back Bay Portages
into Basswood Lake, Prairie Portage, Vermilion-Trout Lake Portage.
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