Duluth, MN May 15, 2020 – On May 18, Superior National Forest will open the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for both day and overnight use, which is in alignment with Minnesota Governor’s new order 20-56. For a full list of open areas and up-to-date information on re-openings, visit the Superior National Forest website fs.usda.gov/superior.
“We are happy to be fully allowing visitors into the BWCAW,” says Connie Cummins, Forest Supervisor. “We ask that visitors please continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines on staying safe and practice good hygiene and social distancing wherever they choose to visit.”
To ensure the health and safety of its employees, partners and members of the public, the Superior National Forest will continue to use temporary modifications to the permit pick-up requirements beginning May 18 for all BWCAW quota permits. For additional information on this process, please visit the Superior National Forest’s website at: fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/specialplaces/?cid=fseprd555184.
Support for recreation.gov will continue to be provided via email until further notice. The quickest way to get help is to visit the recreation.gov online Help Center. You can also call the Forest Service or your local cooperator if you cannot make changes online via recreation.gov.
Keep in mind for travel plans to Quetico Provincial Park through the BWCAW, Ontario, Canada has current closures in place. For information on Canadian closures, please visit: ontarioparks.com/covid19 and cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html.
Visitors are asked to stay as local as possible when choosing a site to visit and to pack out everything they bring, especially trash. Visitors are also urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
Responsible recreation will help expand access to facilities, services and other opportunities. Certain services may still be unavailable, so visitors are asked to plan accordingly and to remain flexible.
Contact information for the Superior National Forest is available online at fs.usda.gov/superior.