The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) covers 1 million acres with over 1,100 lakes along 150 miles of the Minnesota-Canada border. Get the latest news on BWCA regulations, the mining debate, wildlife, trail conditions, camping permits and more.
New legislation in Congress would prohibit mining in Boundary Waters watershed
Bill introduced today by Rep. Betty McCollum seeks to stop any and all copper-nickel mining activity in parts of the Superior National Forest where water flows into the wilderness.
Photo gallery: Winter’s wilderness wonders await in the Boundary Waters
Inspiring images from around the region show how to have fun in the snow and enjoy the unique beauty of the season.
Boundary Waters counties get good news about federal reimbursement for wilderness
Local governments will continue to receive the same level of compensation from the Forest Service to make up for lost revenue, until a new appraisal is completed.
Choose Your Own Adventure – Fall Hike on the Upper Gunflint Trail
A fall hike along the edge of the Boundary Waters. Ada Igoe shares one of her favorite trails, easily accessible from the Gunflint, on marked ski trails through aspen and jackpine to incredible vistas…
International ranger crew partners to improve flood-prone portage on Granite River
Quetico and Boundary Waters crews come together on the border of the U.S. and Canada to reduce hazards on portage and facilitate wilderness visitors.
Volunteers save the Powwow Trail
Volunteers and a nonprofit group worked tirelessly to clear deadfall and regrowth from the Powwow Trail in the BWCAW, after Pagami Creek Fire.
Measuring dark night skies in Quetico-Superior a first step in light pollution protection
Wilderness rangers recently traveled through Quetico and Boundary Waters to take measurements of the night skies are, as regional efforts get underway to recognize and preserve its darkness.
Prescribed fires planned this fall in the Boundary Waters to protect outside areas
Fires will reduce the amount of flammable forest materials in areas hit by the 1999 blowdown, and hopefully reduce the risk that a wildfire could escape the wilderness.
Paddlers break 50-year-old speed record for Border Route
Canoeists cover historic route through heart of Quetico-Superior in less than three days, cutting considerable time off the previous best.
Forest Service finalizes plans to cut and burn 17,000 acres near the Echo Trail
Superior National Forest officials recently concluded the lengthy development of a plan to manage significant swaths of public land near and in the Boundary Waters.
Watch: Forest Service releases new videos for Boundary Waters visitors
Replacing the previous video that was required viewing for permit-holders, a new series of three short videos is updated in strategy, style, and content.
Boundary Waters permit reservation system reopens in wake of earlier failure
After crashing on its first day at the end of January, the system that lets people plan wilderness trips re-launched successfully, though a key Congressman is seeking to force the Forest Service to bring back the lottery for motorized trips.
“The BWCA is at stake” says former supervisor of Superior National Forest
“We must stop the political do-over on the Twin Metals mine. Experience shows that pollution is probable. It may be catastrophic.”
New BWCAW permit system fails on first day, reservations remain unavailable
The web site used to reserve Boundary Waters permits apparently could not handle the traffic of eager wilderness users seeking to reserve permits for this year’s quota season.
Camping in Quetico-Superior country this winter?
The hardy souls that winter camp in the Boundary Waters and Quetico need to be as conscious of wilderness rules as their summer counterparts. Their reward: the freedom to explore corners of the wilderness that are inaccessible in any other season…
Teenagers invited to enter wilderness essay contest for a chance to win a “no parents” Boundary Waters trip
An essay contest for high school students seeks to encourage outdoor experiences and promote paddling to a new generation.
Somali youth explore winter in the BWCAW
A collaboration between Wilderness Inquiry and youth advocacy group Ka Joog takes kids into the Boundary Waters to share new experiences…
The Banadad Ski Trail – from historic logging road to winter wilderness experience
Snow underfoot, dark pines above, a white path beckons cross-country skiers into the Boundary Waters and offers glimpses into its past.
University researchers working in the Boundary Waters face an uncertain future
The Hubachek Wilderness Research Center sits on the edge of northern Minnesota’s vast wilderness, a launching point into the Boundary Waters. The region has become a focus of controversy. The facilities, which date back to the 1930s, moved to the Fall Lake location…
Boundary Waters created out of conflict and compromise 40 years ago today
Watch an award-winning student film about how the BWCAW Act of 1978 came to pass, and learn more about the long road to wilderness protection.
What is Wilderness? Examining tree rings, researchers reconsider the history of human influence in the Boundary Waters
“By examining annual growth rings in increment cores taken from tree trunks, we found that many pines at this site were more than 250 years old. Distinct injuries recorded within their rings denoted the passage of multiple low-severity surface fires that damaged but did not kill many of these trees…”
Boundary Waters canoe trip provides courage, strength, and starry nights to young East African women
Minneapolis entrepreneurship program takes group of women from immigrant community to the wilderness in search of canoe country’s unique challenges and rewards.
Painter captures forest regeneration after the Ham Lake Fire
“Painting that blackened landscape really taught me how to find beauty in an otherwise not so beautiful environment. The shiny silver patterns on a charred tree or stump against a green back ground were fascinating to me….”
Honoring Veterans with a Boundary Waters wilderness experience
In July, five veterans of our US armed forces gathered to celebrate Independence Day in the BWCAW. The group had never met and most had never paddled before, but they were all ready to leave civilization behind to enjoy peace and serenity, and hopefully some good fishing.
The State of the Boundary Waters Report
How healthy is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness really? Will the Boundary Waters survive climate change, mining, invasive species and the myriad of issues faced today? The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness released an extensive and revealing report…
Watch the Boundary Waters video made by teenage essay winner
Teenagers who enjoyed a free trip to the Boundary Waters with no parents share glimpses of their trip — and celebrate recovery from cancer.
Three lawsuits filed to defend rejection of mineral leases near the Boundary Waters
Boundary Waters businesses, environmental groups challenge the Trump administration’s effort to restore leases to Twin Metals which are critical for its mine proposal.
Boundary Waters Expo to offer exhibitors and expert advice on wilderness canoeing
Annual two-day event on the Gunflint Trail will offer presentations and exhibitors to help beginners and experienced canoeists make the most of their adventures.
Threat of mining pollution puts Boundary Waters on annual list of threatened rivers
American Rivers has named the wilderness waters to its list for a second time in five years as critical decisions loom.
Sharing the wilderness with women—of any age
“There is a measurable amount of growth with every trip and every person I take out… And it really is empowering, especially for mature women who think that, physically, they aren’t capable anymore,” wilderness guide Peta Barrett says.