BWCA Campsite #1585

For Minnesotans and wilderness adventurers drawn to the unparalleled beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), BWCA Campsite #1585 offers a truly remote and authentic backcountry experience. The BWCA is a vast, million-acre expanse of interconnected lakes, rivers, and forests in northeastern Minnesota, renowned for its pristine nature and strict preservation as a federally protected wilderness area. Unlike traditional campgrounds with amenities, BWCA campsites are designed for self-reliant travelers, accessible primarily by canoe and portaging.

Campsite #1585, like other designated sites within the BWCA, provides a fundamental setup for overnight stays, typically including a fire grate and a wilderness latrine. The allure of these sites lies in their untouched surroundings, offering profound solitude, exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing, and a deep immersion in nature. For those in Minnesota seeking an escape from the ordinary and a chance to truly disconnect, BWCA Campsite #1585 represents an iconic adventure. It embodies the spirit of traditional wilderness travel, where careful planning, Leave No Trace ethics, and a love for the outdoors are paramount. While details specific to Campsite #1585 vary, it is located on Basswood Lake, a significant and popular lake within the BWCA system, known for its size and diverse features.

BWCA Campsite #1585 is situated within the expansive Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, specifically on Basswood Lake, near Ely, MN 55731, USA. Basswood Lake is one of the largest and most iconic lakes in the BWCA, straddling the U.S.-Canada border. Its location makes it a prime destination for extended canoe trips and offers access to a wide variety of paddling and fishing experiences.

Accessibility to BWCA Campsite #1585, like all BWCA campsites, is exclusively by watercraft (canoe or kayak) and portaging. It is not accessible by vehicle. Visitors typically begin their journey at a designated BWCA entry point, where a wilderness permit (required for all overnight stays from May 1 to September 30) is presented. Common entry points leading to Basswood Lake, and thus potentially to Campsite #1585, include those accessed from Ely, such as Moose Lake (Entry Point #25) or Fall Lake (Entry Point #24), or other entry points depending on the desired route and length of trip. The journey to the campsite involves navigating through a series of interconnected lakes and carrying canoes and gear over land via designated portage trails that connect the waterways. This method of travel ensures the wilderness remains pristine and offers a truly remote experience. The address "Ely, MN 55731, USA" serves as the general geographic area for outfitting services, permit issuance, and the nearest town for re-supply before embarking on a wilderness trip. For Minnesotans, reaching this location involves planning and preparation, but the reward is an unparalleled wilderness adventure.

BWCA Campsite #1585, like all designated campsites within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, adheres to a philosophy of primitive camping, providing only essential services to minimize human impact on the pristine environment. Visitors should be prepared for a self-sufficient wilderness experience. The services typically found at such a site include:

• Designated Tent Pads: Cleared, relatively level areas designed for pitching tents. These pads help protect the surrounding vegetation and offer a stable foundation for sleeping.
• Steel Fire Grate: A permanent, elevated steel fire ring for containing campfires. All fires must be built within these grates to prevent wildfires and minimize impact. Firewood must be gathered from dead and downed wood found on the ground (subject to fire bans).
• Wilderness Latrine: A basic, open-air pit toilet, typically located a short distance from the main campsite. These are designed for human waste disposal and help maintain sanitation in the wilderness. They are not to be used for trash.
• Natural Water Source: The campsite is located directly on or very close to Basswood Lake, providing a natural water source. It is critical that all water drawn from the lake or any natural source be treated (filtered, boiled, or chemically purified) before consumption to ensure safety.
• No Fees (Beyond Permit): There is no separate fee for using individual campsites beyond the required BWCAW entry permit, which is purchased prior to the trip.
• First-Come, First-Served Basis: Campsites in the BWCA are not reservable individually. Campers find an available designated site upon arrival, which adds to the adventurous spirit but requires flexibility.

All visitors are expected to rigorously follow Leave No Trace principles, which includes packing out all trash, properly disposing of human waste, and minimizing their footprint on the environment.

BWCA Campsite #1585, situated on the iconic Basswood Lake, offers a range of features and highlights that epitomize the Boundary Waters experience, making it a compelling destination for wilderness enthusiasts in Minnesota:

• Pristine Basswood Lake Access: Being directly on Basswood Lake provides access to one of the BWCA's largest and most diverse bodies of water, offering extensive paddling routes, numerous bays, and islands to explore.
• Exceptional Fishing: Basswood Lake is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass, appealing to anglers seeking a wilderness fishing adventure.
• Solitude and Remote Experience: As a designated backcountry campsite, it offers a high degree of solitude, allowing campers to truly escape the noise and distractions of modern life and immerse themselves in nature.
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: The vast wilderness surrounding Basswood Lake is home to abundant wildlife, including moose, black bears, wolves, and a wide variety of bird species, providing incredible opportunities for observation.
• Stargazing Potential: Far from light pollution, the night skies over the BWCA are exceptionally dark, offering breathtaking views of stars, constellations, and potentially the aurora borealis.
• Challenging Yet Rewarding Travel: The need to paddle and portage to reach the site adds an adventurous element, fostering self-reliance and providing a deep sense of accomplishment.
• Diverse Scenery: Basswood Lake features varied shorelines, from rocky bluffs to sandy beaches (if present at the specific site), offering diverse natural beauty.
• Leave No Trace Ethos: The site's minimalist facilities encourage visitors to practice responsible outdoor ethics, ensuring the preservation of this unique wilderness for future generations.

User reviews suggest that while some campsites (potentially including 1585, as it has varying feedback regarding tent pad quality and slope) can be challenging in terms of terrain, the overall experience of being on Basswood Lake and within the BWCA is highly rewarding.

Address: Ely, MN 55731, USA (This indicates the general area and nearest town for outfitting and permit pickup.)

As a specific, individual backcountry campsite within the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, BWCA Campsite #1585 does not have its own direct phone number or dedicated on-site staff. All information and permit reservations for entry into the BWCAW are managed by the U.S. Forest Service through Recreation.gov and various authorized permit-issuing stations (outfitters) located in gateway communities like Ely. For comprehensive trip planning, specific rules and regulations, and to obtain the mandatory entry permit (required for all overnight stays from May 1 to September 30), visitors should consult the official resources provided by the Superior National Forest and Recreation.gov.

General inquiries regarding the BWCAW and guidance on planning a trip can be directed to the Kawishiwi Ranger District Office in Ely:

Kawishiwi Ranger District Office, Ely: (218) 365-7600 (This number is for the managing district, not the campsite itself).

Online permit reservations and extensive detailed information, including maps and route suggestions, are available on Recreation.gov and the Superior National Forest's official website.

For residents across Minnesota, BWCA Campsite #1585, as part of the unparalleled Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, represents an exceptionally suitable and quintessential outdoor destination. Its profound suitability for locals stems from its unique offering of a truly wild and immersive wilderness experience directly within their home state. The BWCA is a cherished natural treasure, and camping at a designated site like #1585 on Basswood Lake allows Minnesotans to fully engage with the state's renowned "Land of 10,000 Lakes" heritage, offering a profound escape from everyday life.

The inherent challenge of accessing the campsite by canoe and portage appeals to the adventurous spirit prevalent among many Minnesotans, fostering self-reliance and a deeper appreciation for nature. The permit system, while requiring advanced planning, ensures that the wilderness remains pristine and provides a sense of exclusivity to the experience. Beyond the physical journey, the BWCA offers unparalleled opportunities for solitude, exceptional fishing, and abundant wildlife viewing, all under some of the darkest, star-filled skies in the continental U.S. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat, a challenging expedition, or a family adventure rooted in nature, BWCA Campsite #1585 embodies the essence of Minnesota's wilderness, making it a perfect destination for locals to explore, connect, and create lasting memories in their own backyard.

BWCA Campsite #1585

Ely, MN 55731, USA