Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Permits
Over 1 million acres of pristine lakes in Superior National Forest.
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in BWCAW
Lake One (EP30)
“Entry Point 30 puts you into a million-acre wilderness through one specific landing on one specific day, and that pairing is the whole permit.”
Sawbill Lake (EP38)
“Entry Point 38 puts you into a million-acre wilderness through one specific landing on one specific day, and that pairing is the whole permit.”
Moose Lake (EP25)
“Entry Point 25 puts you into a million-acre wilderness through one specific landing on one specific day, and that pairing is the whole permit.”
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Epic multi-day traverses starting from BWCAW
Kekekabic Trail
A 39-mile point-to-point trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from Snowbank Lake near Ely to the Gun...
3-5 days
Border Route Trail
A 53-mile trail along the Canadian border in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from the Gunflint Trail east to ...
5-7 days
All Permits
Select a permit to learn more and set up alerts
Lake One (EP30) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Lake One (EP30).
Sawbill Lake (EP38) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Sawbill Lake (EP38).
Moose Lake (EP25) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Moose Lake (EP25).
Saganaga Lake (EP55) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Saganaga Lake (EP55).
Seagull Lake (EP54) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Seagull Lake (EP54).
Snowbank Lake (EP27) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Snowbank Lake (EP27).
Angleworm Lake (EP20) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Angleworm Lake (EP20).
Baker Lake (EP39) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Baker Lake (EP39).
Border Route Trail BWCAW permit
A 53-mile trail along the Canadian border in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from the Gunflint Trail east to McFarland Lake, connecting the Kekekabic Trail to the Superior Hiking Trail.
Brant Lake (EP52) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Brant Lake (EP52).
Brule Lake (EP41) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Brule Lake (EP41).
Clearwater Lake (EP62) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Clearwater Lake (EP62).
Crab Lake & Cummings Lake (EP4) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Crab Lake & Cummings Lake (EP4).
Cross Bay Lake (EP50) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Cross Bay Lake (EP50).
Daniels Lake (EP61) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Daniels Lake (EP61).
Duncan Lake (EP60) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Duncan Lake (EP60).
East Bearskin Lake (EP64) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for East Bearskin Lake (EP64).
Fall Lake (EP24) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Fall Lake (EP24).
Farm Lake (EP31) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Farm Lake (EP31).
Hog Creek (EP36) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Hog Creek (EP36).
Isabella Lake (EP35) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Isabella Lake (EP35).
Island River (EP34) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Island River (EP34).
John Lake (EP69) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for John Lake (EP69).
Kawishiwi Lake (EP37) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Kawishiwi Lake (EP37).
Kekekabic Trail BWCAW permit
A 39-mile point-to-point trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from Snowbank Lake near Ely to the Gunflint Trail, past the lake the trail is named for.
Lac La Croix Only (EP12A) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Lac La Croix Only (EP12A).
Larch Creek (EP80) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Larch Creek (EP80).
Little Gabbro Lake (EP33) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Little Gabbro Lake (EP33).
Little Indian Sioux River North (EP14) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Little Indian Sioux River North (EP14).
Little Indian Sioux River South (EP9) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Little Indian Sioux River South (EP9).
Little Isabella River (EP75) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Little Isabella River (EP75).
Little Vermilion Lake (EP12) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Little Vermilion Lake (EP12).
Lizz & Swamp Lakes (EP47) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Lizz & Swamp Lakes (EP47).
Magnetic Lake (EP57) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Magnetic Lake (EP57).
Missing Link Lake (EP51) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Missing Link Lake (EP51).
Moose River South (EP8) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Moose River South (EP8).
Moose/Portage River North (EP16) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Moose/Portage River North (EP16).
Mudro Lake (EP23) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Mudro Lake (EP23).
Mudro Lake Restricted (EP22) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Mudro Lake Restricted (EP22).
North Fowl Lake (EP70) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for North Fowl Lake (EP70).
North Kawishiwi River (EP29) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for North Kawishiwi River (EP29).
Pine Lake (EP68) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Pine Lake (EP68).
Snake River (EP84) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Snake River (EP84).
Snowbank Lake Only (EP28) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Snowbank Lake Only (EP28).
South Hegman Lake (EP77) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for South Hegman Lake (EP77).
South Kawishiwi River (EP32) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for South Kawishiwi River (EP32).
South Lake (EP58) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for South Lake (EP58).
Stuart River (EP19) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Stuart River (EP19).
Trout Lake (EP1) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Trout Lake (EP1).
Wood Lake (EP26) permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry permit for Wood Lake (EP26).
Other National Forests & Wilderness Areas
Explore more wilderness permits in the region
SHT permits
1 permit
Central Cascades permits
19 permits
Mt. Hood permits
4 permits
Mt. St. Helens permits
2 permits
BWCAW Permit FAQ
What permits are required for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness requires permits for various activities including Trout Lake (EP1), Crab Lake & Cummings Lake (EP4), Moose River South (EP8), Little Indian Sioux River South (EP9), Little Vermilion Lake (EP12), and 45 more. Each permit has different requirements and booking processes.
How do I get a permit for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?
Permits for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are available through Reservation systems. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When should I apply for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits?
Cancellations open all season, so set a PermitSnag alert now and we tell you the moment one does. Lottery permits open months in advance; reservation permits release on a rolling basis.