Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points post-wildfire closure updates
The Forest Service says it has now opened over 73% of the one-million-acre BWCAW. Phase 10 brings the total to more than 1,600 of campsites reopened.
BWCA
A guide to exploring the Boundary Waters with your dog
Bringing your dog to the Boundary Waters? Dogs are a fairly common sight in the BWCAW. You may see them nestled in the middle of packs, or on a portage trail carrying a dog pack…
Wildfires burned more than 62,000 acres in the Superior National Forest and BWCA, now fully contained
A lightning storm on July 6 sparked more than 25 wildfires across the Superior National Forest, prompting a full BWCAW closure and evacuations in three counties. All fires are now reported as 100% contained.
Campfire ban updates: BWCAW, Superior National Forest and Voyageurs National Park, Quetico
Burning restrictions have been removed across the entire three-million-acre Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW, effective August 24, the forest announced this week…
Governor Walz issues executive order aimed at blocking copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters
Gov. Tim Walz’s Aug. 18 executive order directs Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to stop permitting and environmental review work on nonferrous mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. In Ely that day, Walz also proclaimed Aug. 18 “Save the Boundary Waters Day.”
Quetico fire crossed the border into the BWCAW; campsites reopening
The Forest Service lifted closure of Trails End Campground on July 29. Recent rain has moderated fire activity, officials said, the Little Knife Fire area is reopening….
What the Boundary Waters looks like fifteen years after the Pagami Creek Fire
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…
Escaping ahead of the Little Knife Fire in the BWCA
Their Boundary Waters trip started with mosquitoes, unusually warm weather, and rugged portages. “Little did we know, those trials by fire were going to be just stick kindling compared to the real fires ahead…”
Boundary Waters wildfires closure affecting area outfitters and visitors
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.
Wildfires close Quetico’s Dawson Trail Campground and Backcountry Entry
Quetico Provincial Park has closed Dawson Trail Campground due to nearby forest fire activity, according to the park’s alerts page. All backcountry entry stations are also closed.
Lightning-caused Long 2 Fire contained in the Boundary Waters
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.
Three wildfires spark in the Boundary Waters after lightning storm
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.
Birch Bay Fire update: cause determined, evacuations lifted near Burntside Lake
A wildfire broke out on the afternoon of June 1 near Burntside Lake. Driven by hot, dry conditions and light southeast winds, it spread quickly to an estimated 30 acres by evening.
Good winter camping etiquette in the Boundary Waters
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.
Paddling through time: visiting Crooked Lake pictographs
Just north of Lower Basswood Falls in the BWCA, a striking set of pictographs appears on a granite wall, one of at least forty sites scattered across the wilderness. These culturally significant images connect deeply to the history of the Anishinaabe people, who regard this land as sacred.
Court upholds current BWCA towboat use, deciding key legal challenge
A federal judge has ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service in a lawsuit over motorized towboat use in the Boundary Waters, bringing a resolution to the legal challenge filed …
How would reversing the Roadless Rule affect the Superior National Forest?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins recently announced plans to withdraw the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects 59 million acres of National Forest from new roads and timber harvests. In Minnesota, many of these areas border the BWCA. If implemented, the change could significantly affect how parts of the National Forest are managed.
Tackling the rise of toxic algae in Minnesota wilderness waters: what does it mean for visitors?
Blue-green algae is spreading in BWCAW lakes. A $1.3 million grant will be used to study its impact. While visitors should assess their own risk, the researchers also provide tips to help limit exposure.
Closure order issued near the Horse River in the BWCAW
A lightning strike sparked a wildfire near the Horse River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This comes after an active wildfire season has scorched nearly 30,000 acres in the Superior National Forest this year. The Forest Service has issued a closure order for the route along the Dog Sled Portage and has encouraged visitors to avoid the area.
Hiking one of the BWCA’s most remote trails: The Sioux-Hustler
Tucked deep within Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, just miles from the Canadian border, the Sioux-Hustler Hiking Trail offers a truly remote experience. This 32-mile loop winds through rugged boreal forest, quiet lakes, and historic logging paths, giving hikers a rare opportunity to experience true solitude. Learn more about the experience and tips for planning your adventure.