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. For visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), Voyageurs National Park, Isle Royale National Park, Grand Portage National Monument, and the Superior National Forest, a shutdown brings a variety of changes that can impact your experience. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for your visit.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
The BWCAW remains open to visitors during a government shutdown. However, with ranger stations closed, all overnight permits become self-issued, available at entry point kiosks or through local outfitters. While the wilderness remains accessible, this lack of staff presence means visitors must be even more self-reliant and prepared.
Voyageurs National Park & Grand Portage National Monument
Other National Park Service sites in the region remain partially accessible but with significant service reductions. At Voyageurs National Park, you can still access the lakes and trails, but all visitor centers are closed and staff is extremely limited. This creates a more rustic experience, as trash collection, restroom maintenance, and interpretive programs will not be available.
Similarly, at Grand Portage National Monument, the grounds and trails remain open for a scenic walk, but the historic buildings of the fur trade depot and the Heritage Visitor Center are closed to the public.
Isle Royale National Park: A Complete Closure
While the official government websites may say parks will remain “as accessible as possible,” for Isle Royale, this means a complete closure. As a remote island park, it is only accessible by ferry or seaplane. During a shutdown, all park-related services, including transportation, are halted. This, combined with the park’s seasonal closure preparations, means there is no safe or legal way for the public to access the island. Isle Royale is effectively closed until the shutdown ends.
Superior National Forest
The Superior National Forest, which encompasses the entire BWCAW, faces widespread service reductions that visitors will notice. Public access to many recreation sites could be limited, and the upkeep you’d normally see at campgrounds and day-use areas will cease. While law enforcement and emergency personnel remain on duty, many of the resources that support visitor recreation are simply not available.
Good News for Minnesota State Parks
It’s important to note that a federal government shutdown does not affect Minnesota’s State Parks. Popular North Shore destinations like Tettegouche, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Cascade River state parks remain fully open and operational. These parks are funded and managed by the State of Minnesota (the DNR), not the federal government. You can expect visitor centers, campgrounds, and all other facilities to be open for normal business. They are a great alternative if your federal travel plans are disrupted.
More Information
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest): https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior
- Paddle & Portage: BWCA Wilderness Remains Open
- Voyageurs National Park: https://www.voyageurs.org/federalimpacts
- Isle Royale National Park: https://www.nps.gov/isro/
- Grand Portage National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/grpo/
- National Parks Conservation Association: What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for National Parks