Forest Service proposing Boundary Waters fee increase

Duluth, Minn. — The Superior National Forest is proposing increases to recreation fees for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to increase education and maintenance, and to enhance visitor experience. The Superior National Forest is sharing the BWCAW Recreation Fee proposal for public review and comments through Sept. 2.

The proposal suggests increasing the BWCAW fees, which haven’t been raised since 2008, from $8 to $20 per youth per trip, and from $16 to $40 per adult/senior per trip.

The Superior National Forest’s fee programs provide a source of funding that helps to maintain and enhance recreation sites such as the BWCAW. The recreation fee proposal will go back to the national forest, improving public access and safety, as well as helping to preserve the unique character of the wilderness.

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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 from 4-6 p.m., at the Kawishiwi District Office in Ely, Minn., and another in-person open house on July 22 from 4-6 p.m. at the Gunflint District Office in Grand Marais. A virtual open house will take place July 15 from 4-6 p.m. via MS Teams. Check the Superior National Forest’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. Implementation of the proposed action is anticipated to begin in January 2027.

For more information about the proposal, visit here.

The BWCAW 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.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80% 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 National Forest 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 create a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.