The USFS–Superior National Forest (SNF) announced that two ranger stations in northern Minnesota will not issue Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCAW) permits this summer. This decision is due to staff shortages and budget cuts. As a result, some visitors planning to enter the wilderness will be affected. In response, the agency is emailing permit holders to notify them of the need to change their pickup location.
Projections come true
The Gunflint and Kawishiwi Ranger stations will not issue BWCAW permits for the upcoming season. This announcement follows former USFS Chief Randy Moore’s communication that the agency would likely face staffing shortages and reduced funding this year.
Earlier this week, the Forest Service informed area outfitters and cooperators about the change during a scheduled conference call. Ely outfitter Jason Zabokrtsky told MPR News that officials communicated that, “The Kawishiwi station in Ely was scheduled to issue 3,800 permits, and the Gunflint station in Grand Marais was scheduled to issue 1,700 permits.” Both locations experience a high volume of visitors each year.
The Gunflint Ranger Station is located off Highway 61 in Grand Marais. It serves as the main hub for the eastern portion of the wilderness. Nearly 30 entry points are spread across this district, stretching to the Canadian border.
The Kawishiwi Ranger Station is located off Hwy 169 east of Ely. This station manages a broad range of land and resource activities in the western and central portions of the BWCAW. On top of that, it oversees numerous entry points along the Echo Trail, Fernberg Road, and Highway 1.
If you planned to pick up your permit at one of these ranger stations, you must now choose a new pick up location from one of 50 other outfitters or cooperators. To update your preference, log into your Recreation.gov account and make the change.
To help visitors plan, other ranger stations have updated their hours and days for the season.
- LaCroix Office (Cook): open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing full services. Call 218-666-0020 during open hours. Closed on Federal Holidays.
- Laurentian Office (Aurora): open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing full services. Call 218-453-8650 during open hours. Closed on Federal Holidays.
- Supervisor’s Office (Duluth): open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing full services. Call 218-626-4300 during open hours. Closed on Federal Holidays.
- Tofte Office (Tofte): open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. m to 4:30 p.m., providing full services. Call 218-663-8060 during open hours. Open federal holidays only when a federal holiday lands Wednesday through Sunday.
Loss for wilderness visitors
Many people consider this change a significant loss because both hubs provide wilderness visitors with valuable resources. When canoeists arrive, they watch a short educational video while picking up their permit to enter the BWCAW. It demonstrates essential outdoor skills, safety practices, and campsite etiquette. Plus, visitors can speak directly with Forest Service staff to get updates on current conditions, closures, and bear activity. Both locations also display maps and exhibits that highlight the region’s culture, history, and stories.
Zabokrtsky told MPR News, “The one time the Forest Service gets to interact with Boundary Waters users face-to-face and actually educate them on the rules and regulations and best practices and ‘Leave No Trace’ is when they issue a permit.”
Mitch Reaume, owner of Northern Goods, a permit issuer, told Paddle & Portage, “The short of it is we’re bummed for the Forest Service because they continue to be under-resourced and the work they do is so important.”
Additionally, there have been growing concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain infrastructure such as campsites and portage trails.
A Superior National Forest spokesperson said they will post an official notice on social media at 10 a.m. Monday. They emphasized that their priority is to email permit holders, business owners, and cooperators with the update.