Fifteen years ago, the Pagami Creek Fire burned more than 90,000 acres of the Boundary Waters — the largest wildfire Minnesota had seen in nearly a century. Wilderness guide Pam Wright paddled back into the heart of it this summer, days after the area reopened, and found a landscape regenerating…
The Forest Service says it has now opened over 70% of the one-million-acre BWCAW. Phase 7, effective August 13, will bring the total to more than 1,500 of campsites reopened.
BWCAW permits are cancelled through July 24, and the closure order now formally runs through October 1, or until rescinded. The Forest Service said this week that it is assessing opportunities to reduce the closure in areas where conditions allow.
With the entire Boundary Waters closed and no reopening date announced, outfitters on both sides of the wilderness are scrambling — canceling and rerouting trips, fielding calls from visitors who flew in from across the country, and hoping the next few days bring better news.
A small wildfire detected in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last week is now fully contained, the Superior National Forest said in its final update on the fire July 5.
The USFS announced that the ban on campfires in the BWCAW would be lifted as of June 12. The restriction was announced due to dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk.
Three new wildfires ignited in the BWCA due to storms that passed through the area on Thursday, June 4. The Superior National Forest said that crews have been working on management and suppression techniques. The wilderness campfire ban will remain in effect through June 30.
Friends of the Boundary Waters lost over a million dollars for its youth program after the state voted to eliminate the funding. Lawmakers said the organization should not receive public funds because it also engages in anti-mining advocacy.
The Forest Service has published its latest permit and visitor-use report for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). While visitor numbers remain about the same, cancellations and no-shows continue to rise.
In a narrow 50-49 vote, the U.S. Senate passed H.J. Res. 140, effectively overturning a 20-year moratorium on mineral leasing in the Superior National Forest. The move clears a major federal hurdle for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine.
We eagerly await each year’s announcement from the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness—images that capture the people, seasons, and quiet moments defining canoe country, and remind us why this landscape deserves protection.
It’s no secret that Minnesota has a lot of lakes—the DNR has listed 11,842 of them. Although Lake Superior is the deepest overall, Saganaga Lake in the BWCA ranks as the deepest natural inland lake. Its easy access draws all kinds of adventure-seekers to its cool, clean waters each summer.
The fight to protect the Boundary Waters has reached a critical turning point. Following a Day of Action at the Minnesota State Capitol, all eyes are now on the U.S. Senate…
Minnesotans have become increasingly interested in winter camping, particularly in the BWCA. But, as in other seasons, it’s essential to minimize your impact and practice good etiquette. We’re sharing both written and unwritten guidelines to help everyone enjoy a positive experience while protecting the natural environment.
Permit reservations open on Jan 28. Planning a trip to the BWCA and not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help plan your canoe trip and secure your permit so you can create memories that last a lifetime.
Once a network of logging roads, the Banadad Ski Trail has become a beloved winter route through the BWCAW. Groomed since the early 1980s and maintained by volunteers, the 27-kilometer trail connects skiers to both the region’s past and its quiet, snow-covered present.
A new bill could permanently alter how the Boundary Waters’ border with Canada is patrolled. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah recently introduced the Border Lands Conservation Act, which would allow the federal government to expand border patrol operations using tactical infrastructure and surveillance systems.
Does the government shutdown have you worried about your travel plans? If you’re heading to Minnesota’s North Shore and Boundary Waters region, you’re right to wonder how it might affect your trip.
The U.S. Forest Service–Superior National Forest is inviting public comments on a proposal to increase recreation fees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Forest Service would use the additional revenue to improve campsites and portage trails, expand outdoor education programs, and support Search and Rescue operations.
Waterfalls and cascades appear throughout many parts of the BWCAW. These natural features, often found between lakes and rivers, add excitement and beauty for paddlers and anglers exploring by canoe. Many portage trails follow these dynamic stretches of moving water. In fact, these waterfalls are a big reason portages exist in the first place.