The Superior National Forest (NF) is proposing changes to recreation fees for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to increase education, maintenance and visitor experience. The Superior NF is sharing the BWCAW recreation fee proposal for public review and comments through Sept. 2, 2025.
Fees per youth would go from $8 to $20 and for adults the fee would go from $16 to $40.
The Superior NF’s fee programs provide a valuable source of funding which helps to maintain and enhance high quality recreation sites such as the BWCAW. The recreation fee proposal will go right back to the national forest, improving public access and safety, as well as help to preserve the unique character of the wilderness.
Visitors to the BWCAW will see portage, entry point and campsite improvements to degraded amenities such as fire rings, latrines and many other improvements.
The public is invited to an in-person open house July 14, 4-6 p.m. at the Kawishiwi District Office in Ely MN, and another in-person open house on July 22, 4-6 p.m. at the Gunflint District Office in Grand Marais, MN. A virtual Open House will take place on July 15, from 4-6 p.m. via MS Teams. Check the Superior NF’s website for links and location details.
Once comments are reviewed and integrated into the proposal, the proposal will go for review and recommendation to the Regional Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC). Implementation of the proposed action is anticipated to begin in January 2027. See the proposal with maps and additional detailed information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/passes/proposed-boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-fee-changes
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the most visited wilderness area in America and the only lake-land wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It boasts more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 2,000 designated campsites within its million-acres of lakes and forests that extend along the 150-mile border with Canada and adjacent to Voyageurs National Park. The BWCAW has provided millions of visitors with an unparalleled wilderness experience, while supporting a $100 million/year recreation-based economy including hundreds of small businesses.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80 percent of the money collected at recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Revenue collected through recreation fees would help the Superior NF improve infrastructure at recreation sites and fund additional recreation staff during the season of operation. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.
