The BWCAW is Open

     There are plenty of places to paddle in the Boundary Waters and as of today all canoe entry points into the wilderness are open.  Due to the Cavity Lake Fire there are some campsites that are closed but the vast majority are open and ready for visitors.  A homeowner on Seagull, Upton Rehnberg, was kind enough to drop off a spreadsheet that listed lakes affected by the fire and their campsite status.  

     Since the USFS is working on campsite assessments and the rehabilitation of sites these numbers are expected to change throughout the remainder of the season and into next season.   Seagull Lake has a total of 37 campsites and only 1 of those campsites remains closed.  Of Alpine Lake’s 20 campsites 11 are open.  Little Saganaga Lake and Gabimichigami have over half of their campsites open and Red Rock and Tuscarora have all of theirs open.  There are a few lakes closed for the season and these are Fern, French, Powell, West Fern, Peter, Virgin, Howard, Elm, and Warclub.   J.A.P. and Jasper lakes will have no camping at this time and other closed campsites will be posted.  

     The number of open campsites will continue to grow as the USFS has a chance to evaluate them.  They must check each site to ensure it is safe for visitors and for the environment.  We’re excited to have the canoe routes and entry points open and available for all visitors to enjoy.