Spirit of the Wilderness

08/04/2026

There’s still plenty of time to book your trip up north! Ask us about available routes, trip planning, and the best places to explore. Whether you need a fully outfitted canoe camping adventure, with canoes, camping gear, food, and equipment or just a few last minute essentials, Spirit of the Wilderness is here to help.

Let our experienced team get you outfitted and on the water for your next Boundary Waters adventure. Your next trip starts here!

08/04/2026

8/3/26 update: We are excited that many of the Ely Area entry points are opening this Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters is excited to welcome guests back to the BWCA for trips. Check photo in the comments for the open entry points. Most of the entry points along the Fernberg Road and south of Ely, MN are opening! Need a canoe for yoru trip? We would be happy to help.

Unfortunately, there are a number of entry point that will stay closed through August 10, 2026 for now. We will learn more about them as the USFS works on the fires.

August 5-10 Refunded entry point permits:
Angleworm Lake (OP)
From Big Lake (OP)
From Canada (OP)
Little Indian Sioux South (OP)
Moose River South (OP)
Moose/Portage River North (OP)

Mudro Lake and Mudro Restricted (OP)
South Hegman (OP)
Lac La Croix Only (OP/OM)
Little Vermilion Lake (OP/OM)
Fall Lake (OP/OM)
Fall Lake Only (DM)
Fall Lake & Beyond (DM)

Angleworm Lake Trail (OH)
Big Moose Trail (OH)
Hegman Lake Trail (OH)
Norway Trail (OH)

Kekekabic-East & West Trail (OH)
Pow Wow Trail (OH)

August 5 - September 30 Refunded for the following entry points:

Little Indian Sioux River NORTH (OP)
Stuart River (OP)
Blandin Trail (OH)
Sioux-Hustler Trail (OH)

Did you have a permit for an entry point up the Echo Trail that isn't open yet? Keep a watch out for a new permit on recreation.gov. You may be able to book a new permit for another entry point in an area that's open. Not sure about this process. Give us a call at 218-365-3149. We would be happy to help.

08/01/2026

In addition to some entry points opening (see previous post) a few campgrounds will also open soon.

NOTICE: The Superior National Forest will reopen Fall Lake and Fenske Lake Campgrounds on August 7. These sites have been closed since July 15 due to the July Lightning Wildfire Incident. With fire activity moderating in the area, visitors can plan to return—though conditions may change if wildfire activity increases. Public and firefighter safety remains our top priority.

Several recreation sites on the west side of the Forest remain closed, with reservation cancellations for reservable sites extended through August 10. For a full list of reopened sites, maps, and current alerts, visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

08/01/2026

8/1/26 - PM update to the update…wood lake is now on the opening list too.

8/1/26 BWCA Update. Good news! Starting Aug 5th the following entry points will reopen for overnight use in the Ely, MN area.

Kawishiwi Ranger District. Entry points listed below are open to overnight use as of August 5:
- 6 Slim Lake
- 25 Moose Lake (No paddle travel beyond Lewis Narrows and Upper Basswood Falls)
- 27 Snowbank Lake
- 28 Snowbank Lake Only
- 29 North Kawishiwi River
- 30 Lake One
- 31 Farm Lake
- 32 South Kawishiwi River

LaCroix Ranger District Open to overnight use as of August 5:
- 1 Trout Lake
- 4 Crab Lake and Cummings Lake

Entry points 11-Blandin Trail, 14-Little Indian Sioux River North, 15-Sioux-Hustler Trail, and 19-Stuart River, are cancelled through the end of the quota permit season on September 30. These areas were directly impacted by the wildfires and need maintenance and
rehabilitation to ensure they are accessible to visitors.

07/30/2026

(Duluth, MN, July 30, 2026) – The Superior National Forest will reopen additional Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) entry points effective July 30 and July 31, 2026, as listed in Exhibit A-Closure Locations. These reopening follow continued successful wildfire suppression and recent variable precipitation that has helped moderate wildfire activity in parts of the BWCAW.

The Forest Service expects to announce additional reopening updates later this week and will continue coordinating closely with partners to determine when conditions are appropriate enough to reopen. Protecting the public and firefighters remains the Forest Service’s highest priority.

The Forest Service reminds visitors to be diligent in planning trips into newly reopened and all parts of the BWCAW. Plan to be self-sufficient, ensure a travel plan is in place and shared with family or friends, know weather forecasts and fire conditions before your trip, travel with multiple means of communication, and understand that you are entering a remote Wilderness area with risks due to weather, access, and potential wildfire activity. Tips on Wilderness trip planning, rules and regulations, and the official BWCAW Trip Planning Guide can be found on this BWCAW website.

These entry points near Ely, MN will be part of the reopening some are day use only and others will be day use and overnight use. Keep checking back for more updates. We will pass on the info as we get it.

Tofte Ranger District
Entry points listed below are open to overnight use as of July 30, all others remain closed:
• 34 Island River
• 35 Isabella Lake
• 36 Hog Creek
• 37 Kawishiwi Lake
• 38 Sawbill Lake
• 39 Baker Lake
• 40 Homer Lake
• 41 Brule Lake
• 67 Bog Lake
• 75 Little Isabella River
• 84 Snake River

Kawishiwi Ranger District
Entry points listed below are open to overnight use as of July 30:
• 33 Little Gabbro Lake

Entry points listed below are open to day use as of July 31:
• 25 Moose Lake (no travel over or beyond Prairie Portage)
• 27 Snowbank Lake
• 28 Snowbank Lake Only
• 29 North Kawishiwi River
• 30 Lake One
• 31 Farm Lake
• 32 South Kawishiwi River
• F Moose, Newfound, Sucker (Day Use Motor)
• G Moose, Prairie Portage and Beyond (Day Use Motor; no travel to Back Bay)
• H Snowbank Lake (Day Use Motor)
• I South Farm Lake (Day Use Motor)
LaCroix Ranger District
• A–Trout Lake Day Use Motor Only

All other entry points on the LaCroix Ranger District remain closed within the BWCAW

Gunflint District entry points have openings, but we are just focusing on the Ely area for now.

07/30/2026

Thank you to State Farm and the local Girl Scout Council for sharing a little love this week with our staff. We appreciate being part of the same community.

07/30/2026

This is how our last packs and canoe made it out of Pipestone bay of Basswood. Thank you U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest. You guys are the best!!

On July 13, the Camp Fire made a dramatic 4.5 mile run due to extreme heat, strong winds, and low humidity. Campers and canoeists on Pipestone Bay in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness had to be evacuated in a hurry—leaving behind canoes, food, fishing poles, and all kinds of gear as safety took top priority.

Fast forward just a few weeks and Superior National Forest Wilderness Rangers were back on Pipestone Bay, assessing campsite damage and lending a helping hand. While documenting the impacts of the fire, they took the opportunity to recover the gear left behind during the evacuation.

Nine canoes—and more packs of food and gear than anyone expected—were rounded up and caravaned out to be reunited with their owners.

A huge thank you to the outfitters and paddlers who waited so patiently for their gear to make its way home!

📷: Forest Service photo

07/29/2026