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.
Spring in the Boundary Waters offers unmatched solitude and the first signs of life, but the beauty hides a deadly risk: water temperatures that linger in the 40s and 50s long after ice-out. An experienced guide shares tips to help stay safe, warm, and prepared for the unpredictable conditions of a BWCAW shoulder-season adventure.
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.
Each spring, the Forest Service plans prescribed burns throughout the Superior National Forest. The work is expected to begin this month and, depending on conditions, will go through June. This is done annually to help safeguard communities from wildfires and reduce fuel loads. See which areas are scheduled for burning.
Experience Minnesota’s dark skies during International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20. Minnesota is home to two certified dark-sky sanctuaries – the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
When the ice will be out on Boundary Waters lakes? Using scientific and historical data, an online thaw tracker provided by the Minnesota Sea Grant helps estimate when ice will disappear from Minnesota lakes.
From the successful restoration of the fire-ravaged Powwow Trail to an ambitious new project rebuilding boardwalks on the popular Eagle Mountain Trail, BWAC volunteers are the boots on the ground keeping wilderness paths open. Crews paddle or hike in, and use traditional hand tools to clear deadfalls and protect the trail experience for thousands of hikers.
Moose populations continue to be stable, according to the most recent survey by the Minnesota DNR. The state, along with tribal, federal, county, and other partners, plans to implement a new, long-term plan to improve moose habitat across three counties and 50,000 acres.
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…
Most people think of Quetico as a paddler’s paradise with over 1 million acres to explore. But the land has played an important role in the lives of the Anishinabeg people for thousands of years, as they lived, hunted, and travelled in the region, and continue to do so.
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.
The Trump administration and Rep. Pete Stauber are using the Congressional Review Act in an unprecedented effort to undo a 20-year mineral leasing withdrawal in the Superior National Forest. Critics warn the move sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the Boundary Waters watershed.
The USFS has updated the regulations concerning food storage in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Hanging items in a tree or using approved bear-resistant containers has been a part of the regulations and rules, and now violations can bring penalties. Learn how to hang a food pack from a tree and travel safely through bear habitat.
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.
The Minnesota DNR has approved a plan by Franconia Minerals, a Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary, to drill for metallic minerals near Birch Lake, about nine miles south of Ely. The approval allows 19 exploratory drill sites along the shoreline and beneath the lake, which drains into the BWCA—prompting concerns about pollution risks to the protected watershed.
Canadian authorities have provided an update to the Remote Area Border Crossing Permit program (RABC). They announced the introduction of a telephone reporting system in areas previously covered by the RABC program. The new system will begin September 14, 2026. Until then, those who currently have a valid RABC permit can use it until September 13, 2026.
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.
If giant ridges flanked with red and white pines towering over crystal-clear, undeveloped lakes sound like your happy place, make sure to visit the Bass Lake Trail. The elevation changes and rocky footing makes this rewarding for experienced hikers, while the varying route options make it accessible for families and those with less experience. Hike, snowshoe or paddle, for a true choose-your-own-adventure.
Cinematographer Alex Horner captures the wild beauty of watersheds near the proposed Twin Metals mine, just south of the Boundary Waters. His short films document what could be lost if copper-nickel mining reshapes one of Minnesota’s most pristine regions.