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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit reservations for the 2025 quota season, May 1 – Sept. 30, go on sale beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Visitors taking an overnight paddle, overnight motor, overnight hiking trip, or a motorized day trip into the BWCA between May and September are required to obtain a quota permit.
Visitors are encouraged to book their reservations online at www.recreation. gov or by calling 1-877444-6777.
Data suggests visitors reserve more permits than they can use. Forest Service asks everyone to keep these facts in mind while planning a BWCAW adventure:
• Reservations surged during the pandemic, while cancellations more than doubled in six years.
• In 2024, over 11,000 permits were cancelled, 58 percent were reserved in January.
• Cancelled reservations are available for resale within 24 hours so there’s no shortage of quota.
• “No-shows” without cancellation has increased in the BWCAW.
Help prevent stockpiling and hoarding permits by following these best practices: One permit per day
The Forest Service reserves the right to cancel multiple same day, overlapping, and consecutive reservations under the same permit holder name without notification.
Permit holders are limited to one permit per day, because they can physically only be in one place at a time and must stay with their group for the duration of the trip.
Cancel right away
Cancel immediately if you cannot go using the Recreation. gov app. The app is not recommended for on-sale events, for best results on Jan. 29, use a computer or laptop with Chrome.
Tips for making a successful reservation:
• Plan ahead: Have at least three travel options (dates and entry points) in mind if your preferred option is unavailable yet only reserve the permit you can use.
• Be considerate of others: Know where and when you are going before making a reservation. When visitors only reserve the permit they can use, entry points have more quota available, and groups have more time to plan trips that fit their skill level.
• Permits are not transferable: Permit holder, alternates, entry date and entry point cannot be changed once the permit reservation is made. Only the permit holder or alternate permit holders specified at the time of reservation can pick up the permit (photo I.D. required). Permits must be picked up on the entry date or one day prior.
• Alternate permit holders: Check the box under group member names to select alternates who can pick up the permit if the permit holder cannot go. Alternates cannot be added later.
• On-line reservations: The latest version of Chrome is recommended. Create a Recreation.gov account or ensure you have one. Be logged in and refresh your screen at 9 a.m. to begin.
• Issue stations: Change issue stations online at Recreation. gov. Log in and select “Reservations” to modify a permit. Review hours and locations to select an issue station near your entry point.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA is new and completely optional for visitors to access their Recreation. gov account. This selection adds a layer of security but is not required.
• Fees and cancellations: Review this section of the BWCAW permit to ensure you are aware of all related fees and the cancellation policy - www.recreation.gov/ permits/233396.
