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Let Moose Track Adventures Help You Secure Your Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA, BWCAW) or Quetico Travel Permit.......

OR 

If you know your entry point and date you can call the reservation to secure your permit at 1-877-550-6777(Toll Free). Or you can visit them at Reserve America

RESERVING A PERMIT

Overnight Camping Fees:
A $20 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each
BWCA/US Forest Service Permit (up to 9 people per permit).  Also, if reserving an overnight permit, a $20 deposit will be collected by the Forest Service regardless of party size at the time of reservation.  This $20 will go towards BWCA Camping Fees for scheduled trip.  Cost per Adult: $16 per trip, cost per Youth (17 and under): $8 per trip.  

Day Use Motor Fees:
For day use motor permits a $20 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each
BWCA/US Forest Service Permit (up to 9 people per permit).

CANCELING A PERMIT

The $20 camping 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 $20 camping fee deposit is not refunded.  The $20 reservation fee is non-refundable.

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 user fees, 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 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 (Golden Age, Golden Access, or Seasonal) must be presented at the time of permit pickup to receive a discount, otherwise the full fee will be charged. Permits can only be picked up the day before, or the day of entry, by the group leader or alternate leader listed. 

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 $20 for user fees, 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 $20, 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 November 15 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 $20 refundable deposit for reservations. Seasonal Fee applications can be obtained at Superior National Forest Offices or from the BWCAW Reservation Center.

FEES

Per Person Per Trip
$16—Adult
$8—Youth 0–17
$8—Golden Age or Golden Access Passport Holders

Per Person Seasonal Fee

(All seasonal fee card holders must still obtain a BWCAW Permit)
$40—Adult
$20—Youth 0–17
$20—Golden Age or Golden Access Passport Holders

BWCAW RESERVATION CENTER

MAIL
BWCAW Reservation Center
P.O. Box 462
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

FAX
(518) 884-9951

PHONE 1-877-550-6777(Toll Free)
TDD 1-877-TDD-NRRS (Toll Free)
International 1-518-885-9964
(Feb. 1–Sept. 30)


Call 218-365-4106 or 800-777-7091 to reserve your adventure today!