Parts of BWCAW to reopen for day use Monday in Cook County

Areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) will reopen on Monday, July 27, for day-use access only at select points of entry within Cook County.

Day use at other entry points in the BWCAW on the western side within Lake and northern St. Louis County remains closed, the U.S. Forest Service announced on Thursday shortly before noon.

While day-use access will be allowed at select points of entry, all overnight access will remain closed through Wednesday, July 29. The Forest Service said, “No overnight camping is currently allowed.”

The BWCAW entry points that will open to day use only in Cook County starting Monday include areas along Forest Service Road 170, also known as “The Grade,” over by Sawbill Lake, areas along the Gunflint Trail, and towards the end of the Arrowhead Trail. On the western edges of Cook County, entry points such as #38 Sawbill Lake, #39 Baker Lake, #40 Homer Lake, and #41 at Brule Lake are open for day use. Areas along the Gunflint Trail include BWCAW entry points such as #60 Duncan Lake, #50 Cross Bay Lake, #51 Missing Link Lake, and #64 East Bearkskin, along with many others. See a full map below.

Map of BWCAW entry points in green that will open for day use starting Monday in Cook County | USFS

The Forest Service said officials continue to evaluate BWCAW quota permit points daily and plan to notify BWCAW permittees seven days in advance.

Due to the varied wildfire activity and weather, the Forest Service advises visitors to be diligent in planning trips into the BWCAW for day-use purposes.

“Ensure a travel plan is in place, and it’s shared with family and friends, know weather and fire conditions before you go, and understand you are entering a Wilderness area with associated risks due to weather, access and wildfire activity,” the Forest Service said.

Weather conditions this weekend will help determine whether the Forest Service reopens select areas for overnight access.

“If there is no major wildfire activity this weekend, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness might partially open for overnight camping next week,” said Drew Stroberg, acting forest supervisor for the Superior National Forest. “We are trying to balance visitor and firefighter safety with people’s desire to visit the Wilderness. We take both responsibilities very seriously.”

The Forest Service said it anticipates the ability to open select portions of the BWCAW entry points in Cook and Lake Counties this next week to overnight use – as long as there is no significant wildfire activity over the upcoming weekend.

The BWCAW has been closed for nearly 10 days after the U.S. Forest Service closed the wilderness on Tuesday, July 14. The closure followed a lightning storm incident that sparked over a dozen wildfires across the Superior National Forest.

For maps and more information on the emergency order, Exhibit A – List and Exhibit B – Map, visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Kalli Hawkins July 23, 2026