BWCA Rules and Regulations

Group Size: Nine people and four watercraft is the maximum group size. Smaller groups make the intimacy of the wilderness more absolute.

Campsites: Adventurers may only camp at the U.S. Forest Service – developed campsites or within Primitive Management Areas specifically designated on your visitors’ permit. The developed sites are furnished with a fire grate, tent pad, and box latrine. Making sure all your garbage is picked up and packed out and leaving a pile of extra firewood is the courteous behavior of a good BWCA camper.

Campfires: Open fires are only allowed within the steel fire grates at developed campsites. A small camp stove is more suited to cooking with its quick heating and rainy – weather use. When building a fire, make sure to use only dead wood discovered on the ground collect wood away from campsites to reduce the impact. It is considered illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason. Finally make sure to drown your fires with water any time to leave the camp and stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch.

Food: Cans and glass bottles are not allowed except for fuel, insect repellent, or medicine containers, and other personal items that would not be considered food or beverages. Food should be stored in plastic containers that will be packed out with you.

Cleanup: Make sure to keep a clean campsite. Scraps of food or residue will attract investigative visitors. Do not burn trash. Make sure it is packed out.

Water Quality: Make sure to bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams as soaps pollute the water. Use toilet facilities at campsites, or if hiking, dig a pit at least 150 feet from the water’s edge. Fish entrails should be buried six inches deep as state law prohibits dumping fish remains in the water.

BWCA Campsite!

BWCA Fishing

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