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BWCA RESERVATIONS & PERMITS
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Permits are required
for all visitors of the BWCA, whether for a day or an overnight. Permits
do not reserve a campsite, but rather grant access to a particular entry
point.
Reservations are not
necessary from October 1, 2009 - April 30th, 2010. During this time you may
pick up a permit at designated issuing stations the day of or the day before
entry. Similarly, during the summer season, day permits can be obtained
in the same fashion.
RESERVING A BWCA PERMIT
The permit reservation process starts each year when lottery
applications for permit reservations may be submitted online beginning on
Dec. 1 each year. Applications submitted online will be accepted through
January 15. All applications submitted during this period will be processed
by lottery (regardless of the order or method received).
After January 15th. applications for the 2010 season may be submitted by
website,
fax,
phone, or mail
on a first served basis. A $12 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each
permit. If reserving an overnight permit, a $32 deposit will be collected
regardless of group size. Example: A total of $44 will be collected for an
overnight reservation or $12 for a day use motor. When making a telephone
reservation, you will be asked for the following information:
-
BWCA Entry
point
-
Arrival date
-
Estimated
exit date
-
Trip
Leader's name, address, postal code and telephone number
-
Estimated
number of people and watercraft
-
Permit
issuing station
-
Method of
payment (i.e. credit card number and expiry date)
CANCELING A PERMIT
The $32 use fee deposit will be refunded if a reservation is cancelled two
or more days prior to the entry date. If the reservation is not cancelled in
time, or the permit is not used, the $32 deposit is not refunded.
To cancel a reservation you must call the BWCAW Reservation Center at
1-877-550-6777.
PICKING UP A PERMIT
All reserved
permits must be picked up at the location specified when the reservation was
made, or at a Forest Service office issuing station. Only the trip leader or
alternate trip leaders, specified when the reservation was made, can pick up
the permit. It is recommended that you list three alternates when you make
your reservation - these cannot be added at a later date. The person that
picks up the permit must stay with the group for the duration of the trip
and ensure that they follow all rules and regulations. The remaining
overnight use fee, if any, will be calculated when the permit is issued
based on the group size upon arrival. Non-reserved permits, if available,
can be picked up at any BWCA permit issuing station.
However, non-Forest Service permit stations
may only accept credit cards for payment. Only Forest Service offices can
accept cash and checks in addition to credit card payments. All cards
(Interagency Senior/Access Pass Holders, or Seasonal) must be presented at
the time of permit pickup to receive a discount, otherwise the full fee will
be charged. Non-Forest Service permit issuing stations may charge an issuing
service fee up to $2 for each overnight permit. Permits can only be picked
up the day before, or the day of entry, by the group leader or alternate
leader listed. Office hours vary, check with your permit pickup location for
their office hours.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
A group must have an official tax-exempt status to qualify as a non-profit
organization. If your permit reservation is audited, your group must be able
to produce a tax-exempt number. All the people on the trip, with the
exception of a guide, must be associated with the non-profit organization.
Non-profit organizations may reserve as many permits as they like. However,
there is a limit of no more than three (3) permits within a permit season to
be reserved using the name of any one non-profit organization name as the
trip leader instead of a specific person's name as the trip leader.
Additional permits can only be reserved under a specific person's name as
trip leader.
The only benefit to reserving a permit using a non-profit organization's
name as the trip leader is that the permit may then be issued to anyone who
can prove affiliation with the organization in the same location. For
example, if a permit is reserved with the trip leader name of "Girl Scouts,
Troop 16, Chicago" then anyone affiliated with that particular organization
may have the permit issued to her/him. When reserving a permit using a
non-profit name as the trip leader, the non-profit organization's name,
address and a contact person for the organization is required. The
representative of the non-profit organization that actually picks up the
permit becomes the trip leader, must remain with the group for the duration
of the trip, and will be responsible to see that the group follows BWCAW
regulations. Please contact the Forest Service office nearest your planned
entry point for additional information about reserving permits planning for
non-profit organizations
PAYMENTS AND REFUNDS
For groups with fees calculated to be more than $44, the
difference will be collected at the time the permit is picked up (cash,
check, or credit card at Forest Service offices, credit card-only at
non-Forest Service permit issuing stations). For groups with fees calculated
to be less than $44, the refund will be made by the BWCAW Reservation Center
after the trip has been completed.
SEASONAL FEE CARDS
Seasonal Fee Cards may be purchased by mail after December 1
or by phone after February 1 from the BWCAW Reservation Center, or in person
after May 1 from any Superior National Forest District Office. This card
fulfills the fee requirements for the season but does not eliminate the need
for obtaining a BWCAW permit and paying the $12 non-refundable reservation
fee and the $44 refundable deposit for reservations. Seasonal Fee
applications can be obtained at Superior National Forest Offices or from the
BWCAW Reservation Center.
BWCA FEES
Per Person Per Trip
Adult $16.00
Child/Youth $8.00
Interagency Senior Pass $8.00
Interagency Access Pass $8.00
Interagency Youth Access Pass $4.00
Per Person Seasonal Fee
(All seasonal fee card holders must still obtain a BWCAW Permit.
Seasonal cards may be picked up in person from any Superior National Forest
District Office.)
Adult $64.00
Child/Youth $32.00
Interagency Senior Pass $32.00
Interagency Access Pass $32.00
Interagency Youth Access Pass $16.00
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