Boundary Waters Outfitters| BWCA Travel Permits

Applications for the 2009 season may be submitted by website, fax, or mail beginning November 1, 2008. All applications will be processed by lottery (regardless of method or order received) after COB (5:00 p.m. CST) on January 15, 2009. Lottery applications submitted by mail and fax must be received by January 10, 2009 COB (5:00 p.m. CST). Lottery applications submitted via the website must be received by January 15, 2009 COB (5:00 p.m. CST). Following the lottery, first come, first served reservation processing will start on January 20, 2009 via interactive website (reservations processed and confirmed immediately), fax or mail. Please note that if January 20 falls on a Sunday or holiday, mail and fax reservations will not be processed until the next business day. Phone reservations will be accepted beginning February 1, 2009. Non-Refundable BWCA Travel Permit Fees: $12 (If Moose Track Adventures secures your permit - the Non-refundable BWCA Travel Permit Fee is $20 - Includes $12 Forest Service Reservation Fee + $8 Service Fee) If reserving an overnight permit, a $20 deposit will be collected regardless of party size. Example: A total of $48 will be collected for an overnight reservation or $12 for a day use motor.

The $20 use fee deposit will be refunded if a reservation is cancelled two or more days prior to the entry date. If the reservation is not cancelled in time, or the permit is not used, the $20 deposit is not refunded.

All reserved permits must be picked up at the location specified when the reservation was made, or at a Forest Service office issuing station. Only the trip leader or alternate trip leaders, specified when the reservation was made, can pick up the permit. It is recommended that you list three alternates when you make your reservation - these cannot be added at a later date. The person that picks up the permit must stay with the group for the duration of the trip and ensure that they follow all rules and regulations. The remaining overnight use fee, if any, will be calculated when the permit is issued based on the group size upon arrival. Non-reserved permits, if available, can be picked up at any permit issuing station. However, non-Forest Service permit stations may only accept credit cards for payment. Only Forest Service offices can accept cash and checks in addition to credit card payments. All cards (Golden Age, Golden Access, or Seasonal) must be presented at the time of permit pickup to receive a discount, otherwise the full fee will be charged. Non-Forest Service permit issuing stations may charge an issuing service fee up to $2 for each overnight permit. Permits can only be picked up the day before, or the day of entry, by the group leader or alternate leader listed. Office hours vary, check with your permit pickup location for their office hours.

A group must have an official tax-exempt status to qualify as a non-profit organization. If your permit reservation is audited, your group must be able to produce a tax-exempt number. All the people on the trip, with the exception of a guide, must be associated with the non-profit organization. Non-profit organizations may reserve as many permits as they like. However, there is a limit of no more than three (3) permits within a permit season to be reserved using the name of any one non-profit organization name as the trip leader instead of a specific person's name as the trip leader. Additional permits can only be reserved under a specific person's name as trip leader.

The only benefit to reserving a permit using a non-profit organization's name as the trip leader is that the permit may then be issued to anyone who can prove affiliation with the organization in the same location. For example, if a permit is reserved with the trip leader name of "Girl Scouts, Troop 16, Chicago" then anyone affiliated with that particular organization may have the permit issued to her/him. When reserving a permit using a non-profit name as the trip leader, the non-profit organization's name, address and a contact person for the organization is required. The representative of the non-profit organization that actually picks up the permit becomes the trip leader, must remain with the group for the duration of the trip, and will be responsible to see that the group follows BWCAW regulations. Please contact the Forest Service office nearest your planned entry point for additional information about reserving permits planning for non-profit organizations

For groups with fees calculated to be more than $20, the difference will be collected at the time the permit is picked up (cash, check, or credit card at Forest Service offices, credit card-only at non-Forest Service permit issuing stations). For groups with fees calculated to be less than $20, the refund will be made by the BWCAW Reservation Center after the trip has been completed.

Seasonal Fee Cards may be purchased by mail after November 15 or by phone after February 1 from the BWCAW Reservation Center, or in person after May 1 from any Superior National Forest District Office. This card fulfills the fee requirements for the season but does not eliminate the need for obtaining a BWCAW permit and paying the $12 non-refundable reservation fee and the $20 refundable deposit for reservations. Seasonal Fee applications can be obtained at Superior National Forest Offices or from the BWCAW Reservation Center.

Per Person Per Trip
$16—Adult
$8—Youth 0–17
$8—Golden Age or Golden Access Passport Holders

(All seasonal fee card holders must still obtain a BWCAW Permit)
$40—Adult
$20—Youth 0–17
$20—Golden Age or Golden Access Passport Holders

MAIL
BWCAW Reservation Center
P.O. Box 462
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

FAX
(518) 884-9951

PHONE 1-877-550-6777(Toll Free)
TDD 1-877-TDD-NRRS (Toll Free)
International 1-518-885-9964
(Feb. 1–Sept. 30)