BWCA Campsite #1917

For Minnesotans yearning for a deep dive into genuine wilderness, BWCA Campsite #1917 offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience nature in its purest form. This specific campsite is located within the world-renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a vast, protected area of over a million acres of interconnected lakes, ancient forests, and winding rivers, all part of the larger Superior National Forest. The BWCAW is celebrated globally for its unique, paddle-only wilderness experience, allowing visitors to travel through landscapes reminiscent of the historic Voyageurs, fostering a profound sense of solitude, challenge, and deep connection with the natural world.

Unlike conventional campgrounds with their developed amenities and easy vehicle access, BWCA Campsite #1917 embodies the essence of true wilderness camping. It is a destination where the journey itself – navigating by canoe and undertaking portages – is as integral to the experience as reaching your destination. As a designated wilderness campsite, it provides only the most fundamental provisions necessary for primitive camping, urging visitors to embrace self-reliance and the principles of Leave No Trace. This immersive environment invites you to shed the distractions of modern life and fully appreciate the raw, untouched beauty that Minnesota's northern landscape proudly offers. For locals seeking an authentic, unplugged outdoor adventure, this campsite provides an unparalleled opportunity.

BWCA Campsite #1917, while bearing the address of Stony River Township, MN, USA, is emphatically not a drive-up location. This address serves as a geographical locator for the general area within the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a federally protected wilderness that strictly prohibits motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment. To reach Campsite #1917, or any other designated site within the BWCAW, visitors must embark on a true wilderness expedition, primarily by canoe or kayak, and often involving portaging.

Access to BWCA campsites begins at one of the designated entry points into the wilderness, such as those found near gateway communities like Ely or Grand Marais. From your chosen entry point, the journey involves navigating a intricate network of interconnected lakes and streams by paddling. Crucially, to travel between these waterways, you will carry your canoe and all your gear over designated land trails, known as portages. The specific route to Campsite #1917 would depend on its precise location within the BWCAW's expansive system of over 1,200 miles of canoe routes.

Outfitters located in the gateway towns are invaluable resources for trip planning. They offer services ranging from canoe and gear rental to expert advice on route selection, permit acquisition, and essential wilderness navigation techniques. This remote and challenging accessibility is a defining feature of the BWCAW, deliberately designed to preserve its pristine condition and offer an unparalleled sense of solitude. Far removed from urban light pollution, the region boasts exceptionally dark night skies, providing magnificent opportunities for stargazing and, with favorable atmospheric conditions, even a chance to witness the breathtaking aurora borealis. The journey to BWCA Campsite #1917 is an essential and rewarding part of the overall wilderness experience, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure.

In alignment with its designation as a protected wilderness area, BWCA Campsite #1917, like all official campsites within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, provides a very basic and minimalist set of services. These provisions are designed to support primitive camping while strictly adhering to the principles of Leave No Trace, ensuring the preservation of the natural environment. Visitors must be prepared for a self-sufficient experience, as modern amenities commonly found in developed campgrounds are intentionally absent.

• Designated Fire Grate: Each official BWCA campsite is equipped with a metal fire grate. This serves as a safe and contained area for building campfires for cooking and warmth, in strict accordance with wilderness fire regulations. Campfires are only permitted within these grates.
• Wilderness Latrine: To facilitate responsible human waste management and maintain sanitation in the pristine wilderness, every designated campsite includes a wilderness latrine. These are typically rustic, pit-style facilities designed for minimal environmental impact. Visitors are expected to use them appropriately and pack out all other trash.
• Tent Pads: While conditions can vary from site to site, many BWCA campsites, including potentially #1917, offer relatively flat, cleared areas suitable for pitching tents. These natural clearings help protect surrounding vegetation and provide a more comfortable sleeping surface.
• Natural Water Source: Water for drinking, cooking, and washing is drawn directly from the adjacent lake or stream. It is absolutely critical that all water from natural sources be treated (filtered, purified, or boiled) before consumption to eliminate harmful pathogens and ensure safety.
• On-site Firewood (Dead and Downed): Campers are permitted to gather dead and downed wood from the immediate vicinity of the campsite for their campfires. This practice supports sustainable use of resources and, crucially, prevents the introduction of non-native insects or diseases that can occur when bringing firewood from outside the wilderness area. Cutting live vegetation is strictly prohibited.

These essential, no-frills services emphasize self-reliance and responsible environmental stewardship, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in an authentic wilderness experience.

The true appeal of BWCA Campsite #1917 lies not in man-made amenities, but in the extraordinary natural features and profound immersive experiences that define the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. These intrinsic highlights are what draw countless visitors, particularly those from Minnesota, to this iconic region year after year.

• Pristine Waterways:
  The campsite is situated on one of the thousands of interconnected lakes or streams that comprise the BWCAW's unique aquatic labyrinth. This provides direct access for unparalleled canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in exceptionally clean, undeveloped waters. The silence, broken only by the dip of a paddle or the call of a loon, is a defining feature.
• Unrivaled Canoeing and Portaging:
  As part of a vast network of wilderness canoe routes, Campsite #1917 serves as either a destination or a stopover point for multi-day paddling expeditions. The experience of silently gliding across a mirror-like lake and the physical and mental satisfaction of portaging between waterways are central to the BWCA adventure.
• Exceptional Fishing:
  The lakes and streams of the BWCAW are renowned for their healthy and diverse fish populations, including species like walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. It offers some of Minnesota's most rewarding fishing opportunities in a pristine setting.
• Abundant Wildlife Viewing:
  The remote nature of the wilderness offers incredible opportunities to observe a wide array of wildlife in their undisturbed natural habitats. Common sightings include moose, black bears (requiring careful food storage practices), deer, otters, beavers, and a rich diversity of bird species, including bald eagles and the iconic common loon.
• Stargazing and Northern Lights:
  Far removed from any significant light pollution, the BWCAW boasts some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. This provides breathtaking opportunities for stargazing, where the Milky Way stretches across the heavens, and on clear nights with sufficient solar activity, the spectacular aurora borealis can be a truly unforgettable sight.
• Hiking Opportunities:
  While primarily a water-based wilderness, the BWCAW also features various rugged and often unmarked hiking trails. These trails allow visitors to explore the terrestrial landscapes, including old-growth forests, granite outcrops, and scenic overlooks, offering a different perspective of the wilderness.
• Profound Solitude and Serenity:
  Perhaps the most cherished feature for many is the opportunity for genuine solitude. The strict absence of motorboats on most lakes, combined with a quota system for visitors, ensures a tranquil environment where one can truly disconnect from the noise and demands of modern life.
• Leave No Trace Principles:
  The park's management and visitor guidelines strictly enforce Leave No Trace ethics, ensuring that the wilderness remains pristine for future generations. This commitment means minimal impact and a truly untouched natural environment.

These inherent features collectively define BWCA Campsite #1917 as more than just a place to sleep; it is a basecamp for authentic, transformative wilderness experiences that are becoming increasingly rare and precious in today's world.

Direct contact information for an individual BWCA campsite like #1917 is not provided, as it is a specific, remote site within the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The BWCAW is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Superior National Forest. For planning a trip to the BWCAW, including essential permit requirements and detailed maps, the following general contact information and resources are vital. Permits are mandatory for entry, especially during the quota season (May 1 – September 30).

For general inquiries and trip planning related to the BWCAW, contact the Superior National Forest (the managing entity):

Address: 8901 Grand Ave Pl, Duluth, MN 55808, USA (This is the administrative headquarters for the Superior National Forest, not an entry point into the wilderness.)

Phone: (218) 626-4300 (General information line for Superior National Forest, which oversees the BWCAW.)

Important Resources for Trip Planning and Permits:

• Official U.S. Forest Service Website for BWCAW: This is the primary and most comprehensive source for all information regarding regulations, permit reservations, entry point details, wilderness ethics (Leave No Trace), and safety guidelines. Permits for the quota season are released on a first-come, first-served basis, typically on the last Wednesday in January, and are highly sought after.
• Recreation.gov: Permits for the BWCAW during the quota season (May 1 - September 30) must be reserved and obtained through Recreation.gov. It is crucial to have a permit before embarking on your trip.
• BWCA Outfitters: Local outfitters located in gateway towns such as Ely, Grand Marais, and Crane Lake are indispensable resources. They provide essential services including canoe and gear rentals, shuttle services to entry points, expert advice on route planning, detailed maps, and can often assist with the permit acquisition process. Their local knowledge and experience are invaluable for ensuring a safe and enjoyable wilderness trip.

It is highly recommended that prospective visitors plan their trip well in advance, especially if aiming for peak season, as permits for popular entry points and dates can be competitive and sell out quickly.

For residents of Minnesota, BWCA Campsite #1917, and indeed any journey into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, represents the ultimate embodiment of the state's natural heritage and its cherished outdoor lifestyle. This isn't just a place to set up camp; it's a profound, transformative experience deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Minnesota.

Minnesotans, often possessing a deep-seated appreciation for lakes, forests, and outdoor activities, will find the BWCAW to be the quintessential expression of their state's natural grandeur. The challenge of navigating by paddle and portage, the pure satisfaction of catching a fresh fish for dinner, and the unparalleled tranquility of a night under an unpolluted, star-studded sky perfectly align with the independent and resourceful spirit often found in the Gopher State. The BWCA offers an essential antidote to the fast pace of modern life, providing a unique opportunity to truly disconnect, de-stress, and reconnect with oneself and the natural world.

The remote accessibility, while demanding careful preparation and a certain level of physical exertion, is precisely what safeguards the BWCA's pristine condition. It ensures that the profound solitude and untouched beauty endure for all who are willing to make the effort to venture in. Whether it's the thrill of spotting a majestic moose, the meditative rhythm of a silent paddle at dawn, or the camaraderie forged during a multi-day canoe trip, BWCA Campsite #1917 delivers an unvarnished, unforgettable wilderness experience. It's a place where lasting memories are created, outdoor skills are honed, and the immense, wild beauty that Minnesota so proudly preserves is experienced firsthand. For those in the North Star State ready to answer the call of the wild, a trip to BWCA Campsite #1917 promises an unparalleled and deeply meaningful wilderness journey.

BWCA Campsite #1917

Stony River Township, MN, USA