All BWCAW entry points are temporarily closed effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

While this is disappointing news for everyone who loves the Boundary Waters, we fully support this temporary closure as an important step to protect both paddlers and this remarkable wilderness during an exceptionally hot and windy fire equation.

Five groups completed their trips and came off trail on Monday as scheduled. That afternoon, our staff headed out to assist the remaining seven groups off trail. (We’re especially grateful for the new Garmin communication devices, which have made coordination much easier.) Those groups returned safely to camp later that day and headed home this morning. Our staff is personally contacting groups who were scheduled to begin their trips later this week.

We are in close communication with county emergency management and the U.S. Forest Service, and our fire suppression systems are ready to go, should they be needed. As an added precaution, our fire suppression sprinkler system is being run periodically to increase humidity around camp, and propane systems are being carefully managed.

The Boundary Waters has always taught us patience, resilience, and respect for creation. We are grateful for the dedicated professionals working to keep people and this treasured wilderness safe, and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding, your flexibility, and your support of Wilderness Canoe Base.

Keep up to date on the latest fire news using these sites:
US Forest Service Superior National Forest
Cook County MN Website