BWCAW permit reservations open end of January

At the end of January, individuals will be able to reserve permits for the 2026 season in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The BWCAW quota permit reservations will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The public will be able to reserve permits for the May 1 to Sept. 30, 2026 season, the U.S. Forest Service said in a press release on Monday.

Individuals can book their reservations online at Recreation.gov/BWCAW.  Reservations may also be made by calling 1-877-444-6777.

To ensure a successful reservation, Superior National Forest managers encourage visitors to:

• Visit the Superior National Forest and BWCAW websites before traveling.
• Thoroughly review the BWCAW Trip Planning Guide and carefully consider whether a primitive wilderness trip is the best option for your group. A unique backcountry experience with no permit reservations or visitor use fees may be an option by checking out any of the 265 backcountry campsites.
• Plan at least three travel options (dates and entry points) before making a reservation.
• Reserve only the permit(s) you can use. Choose an entry point that fits your skill level and a trip date that works for your schedule.
• When a permit holder makes multiple reservations in their name on the same entry date or has overlapping reservations, the Forest Service will cancel all but one permit without notification. A group leader can only lead one trip at a time.
• Do your homework. Look online for route-planning guidebooks, trip ideas, and information. Contact local outfitters, guides, resorts, or cooperator permit issuing stations. Refer to the back page of the BWCAW Trip Planning Guide for more information.

The BWCAW is a federally regulated area with regulations and rules that must be followed. Permit holders are responsible for sharing the Leave No Trace Video series with their entire group prior to arrival, the press release stated.

According to BWCAW annual visitation data, 93% of visitors traveled to the BWCAW from May 1 through Sept. 30 on a quota permit last year, while only 7% of visitors traveled from Oct. 1 through April 30 on a self-issued permit.

Annual visitation has remained relatively steady at approximately 26,000 since 2022, after increasing to over 31,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Kalli Hawkins January 5, 2026