Trailhead
Kekekabic Trail East Trailhead (Fernberg Road / Snowbank Lake)
MI 0 · ≈1,481 ft
Eastern access point near Ely, off the Fernberg Road, shared with the Snowbank Lake BWCAW entry point.
Each entry point carries its own quota
Kekekabic Trail BWCAW Permit
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness · Minnesota
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.
Get an alert when Kekekabic Trail opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Kekekabic Trail were gone within 10 minutes.
Kekekabic Trail reservation dates
- Season
- May 1 (quota permit season opens) to September 30 (quota permit season ends; self-issued permits October 1 to April 30)
- route distance, point to point
- 39mi
- max group size
- 9people
Kekekabic Trail elevation profile
Kekekabic Trail East Trailhead (Fernberg Road / Snowbank Lake) to Kekekabic Trail West Trailhead (Gunflint Trail / Round Lake)Trailhead
Kekekabic Trail East Trailhead (Fernberg Road / Snowbank Lake)
Eastern access point near Ely, off the Fernberg Road, shared with the Snowbank Lake BWCAW entry point.
Mile 0 of 39
0 Kekekabic Trail East Trailhead (Fernberg Road / Snowbank Lake)39 Kekekabic Trail West Trailhead (Gunflint Trail / Round Lake)
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- ≈1,481 ft
Kekekabic Trail landmarks
Map of the Kekekabic Trail BWCAW, Kekekabic Trail East Trailhead (Fernberg Road / Snowbank Lake) to Kekekabic Trail West Trailhead (Gunflint Trail / Round Lake)
14 of 14 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Kekekabic Trail permit
As of September 2026, Kekekabic Trail in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota requires a permit issued via reservation. Kekekabic Trail rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Kekekabic Trail permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Kekekabic Trail runs May 1 (quota permit season opens) through September 30 (quota permit season ends; self-issued permits October 1 to April 30). The Kekekabic Trail route covers 39 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, Minnesota, MN
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Kekekabic Trail: Live availability activityWhen Kekekabic Trail permits open upKekekabic Trail BWCAW permit itinerary
How much a Kekekabic Trail permit costs
Kekekabic Trail permit fee: $16/adult + $8/child per person per trip (May 1 to September 30 quota season) plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee; free self-registration October 1 to April 30.
The Kekekabic Trail hike
- Distance
- 39 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 3-5 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
How hard the Kekekabic Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Kekekabic Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: 83% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
🌧️
66°
59°
83%
Wed
🌫️
71°
55°
Thu
☁️
61°
42°
Fri
☁️
55°
36°
Sat
🌧️
54°
42°
41%
Sun
🌧️
52°
36°
27%
Mon
☁️
56°
30°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Kekekabic Trail rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Kekekabic Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Kekekabic Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Kekekabic Trail FAQ
Do I need a permit for the Kekekabic Trail?
Yes. The Kekekabic Trail runs almost entirely inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, so you need a BWCAW permit for any overnight trip, and a day-use permit for a day trip. From May 1 to September 30 that permit is a paid, quota-limited reservation made on Recreation.gov; from October 1 to April 30 it is a free self-registration at the trailhead kiosk.
Which BWCAW entry point do I use for a Kekekabic Trail thru-hike?
Entry point #74 on the west end (shared with Snowbank Lake) or #56 on the east end.
How long is the Kekekabic Trail?
39 miles, point to point, according to the Superior National Forest's own trail page. Most hikers take 3 to 5 days.
Is the Kekekabic Trail hard to follow?
The Forest Service warns that map and compass skills are recommended, and that sections of the trail may have downed trees that have not been cleared. There is no cell phone coverage anywhere on the route.
Kekekabic Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Kekekabic Trail permit
Where to stay near Kekekabic Trail
- Fall Lake campgroundSuperior National Forest
- Fenske Lake CampgroundSuperior National Forest
- South Kawishiwi River campgroundSuperior National Forest
- All Minnesota campgrounds
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