Boundary Waters Permit Pick up

Forest Service Ranger offices are opening up for the first time since Covid. This means people will be able to pick up their Boundary Waters permits in person again. This is good news since they will be able to educate visitors prior to their BWCA trip. The virtual permit sessions created during the pandemic were convenient for folks but I don’t think they did as good of a job as a person does.

From the USFS-

Beginning in mid-July, virtual permit issuance and Leave No Trace & Tread Lightly education sessions will be offered only on Sundays at 9:00 am for those who have selected LaCroix District Office or Tofte District Office as their issue station due to these offices being closed on Sundays. 

If you have an upcoming reservation and have already received an email with the virtual session link, or receive one in the coming days, this change does not affect you.  

For reservations in the second half of July or later, the forest encourages you to modify plans accordingly to pick up your permit in-person. Permits can be picked up at a Forest Service district office or a cooperator. For a full list of cooperators, visit this link. If you have questions regarding your issue station, please contact the Forest Service office nearest your entry point.