In order to help preserve the BWCAW's wilderness qualities, the area is regulated by a permit quota system from May through September (see user regulations below). There are several lakes where motorized use is allowed on the edge of the wilderness area (Moose, Fall, Farm, Snowbank, Saganaga, Basswood and Trout Lakes). Considering the overall size of the wilderness area, there is very little motor use allowed. Motor permits are required by users for day and overnight trips.

Those entering the wilderness for a canoeing day trip (not staying overnight) do not require a permit in advance. There are no quotas restricting entry points or starting date. At each entry point there will be a US Forest Service (USFS) display with day use permit cards. The cards are completed by the user before entering the wilderness. The hard copy is sent to the USFS at the end of the day. The light weight copy is carried with the user while in the BWCAW.

If a user plans to camp overnight, the wilderness area is regulated by a permit quota system. The permit stipulates the day the user MUST enter the wilderness and at what entry point the user MUST start. The user can stay out as many days as they would like, but the first two criteria must be met when entering the BWCAW. There are limited numbers of permits that access each entry point on a daily basis. Once an entry point is full, the only way an additional permit will be issued is through a cancellation (usually occurs several weeks before the desired start date).

A permit may be applied for through an outfitter or directly at the permit office starting on November 1. The USFS has a lottery starting on January 15 that fills any existing permit applications received by that date. On January 20 the permit office goes "live" by phone (877-550-6777) or e-mail (www.bwcaw.org), which means that remaining available quota after the January 15 lottery is opened up for immediate reservation. Be sure to keep a copy of the permit application submitted by e-mail, mail or fax in the event that there are problems with your permit application or reservation. Acknowledgements for confirmed permits are typically mailed out in mid to late February. If an acknowledgement for the lottery is not received by mid March, call the permit office hot line at 877-553-6777.

When applying for a permit have several different entry points (starting points) in mind and several different dates. Early applications don't guarentee a first choice. With the lottery system the first application could be selected last. If the user needs several different permits for the same date (working with a large group) it is suggested that alternate dates are not submitted. Multiple permit applications are not kept together during the lottery, but are treated as separate and unique applications. One permit may get one day and another a different date (depending on how quickly the quotas fill-up).

Non-profit groups can reserve permits directly under the organization name. For the 2002 season, the US Forest Service is only allowing three permits per organiztion, per season, to be reserved this way. If the group size exceeds 27 people, additional permits can be reserved under the group leader's name with additional alternate names on the permit. The latter method of reserving permits for large groups requires that at least one of the individuals listed on each permit be present on the trip as the group leader.

The following are the user regulations that must be followed by all visitors whether day use, overnight, canoeing or motor. These rules are in place to assure the continued preservation of the wilderness. Stiff fines are applied when rules are broken. Portage crews and enforcement officers do patrol the wilderness areas and have the right to search packs and write out tickets on the spot.

No cans or bottles! Anything that can be consumed must be packaged in foil, paper, or plastic. No exceptions. Transfer spices in metal tins or jars into small plastic containers or plastic bags. Watch bulk beverage and snack containers for metal bottoms -- those are illegal too.

A maximum group size of 9 people and 4 canoes are allowed. If the user is bringing up a much larger group, the group MUST split into smaller subgroups. The subgroups can still travel into the same areas during the trip, but they must never canoe, portage, camp or congregate together at any time.

The only place a user may legally camp overnight is at a designated campsite. A designated campsite will have a cemented-in firegrate (usually visible from the water), plus a wilderness box latrine located back in the woods.

Fires may only occur within the legal firegrate/fire pit area. In areas where a fire ban has been issued, no open campfires are allowed and all cooking must be done over liquid or gas fired stoves.

Use only dead and downed trees for firewood. Please do not strip loose birch bark or "hack" at live trees with a saw or axe. This weakens the trees and will kill them. Plenty of firewood exists throughout the wilderness. Check down the shoreline, away from the campsite, or across the lake for usable dead and downed wood.

All canoes or boats must be registered either in the user's home state or in the state of Minnesota.

Life jackets rated for the users size must be worn while out in the wilderness area. It can not be used as a cushion or attached to the seat while the canoe is occupied.

Using soap products in or near the lake is prohibited. Bathing and washing dishes, clothing and gear should occur at least 100 feet from the nearest shoreline.

Plan to treat water by boiling, water tablets, or a purification system. Waterborne illnesses can be picked up in stagnant and shallow shoreline waters.

Avid fisherman: please clean fish well away from the campsite. Either bury the fish remains, or leave the carcass and entrails on an exposed rock a good distance from the site.

Use the portage trails! The portage trails have been designed for BWCA user's safety. They exist when water hazards are present or lakes are land-locked. It's a long walk home, so don't risk running a canoe through the rapids.

The wilderness offers a great deal of solitude and serentity. Leave the cell phones, radios and tape players behind. Remember fellow travelers are also looking for solitude too. Keep voices down - yelling carries for miles, spooks potential wildlife, and shows other visitors that a novice canoe camper is near by.