North Country National Scenic Trail Thru–Hikers in BWCAW Permitting Update

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Joy VanDrie, Public Affairs Staff Officer, Cathy Quinn, Assistant Wilderness Program Manager


The Superior National Forest (SNF) in partnership with the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) has updated the process for thru-hikers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to obtain overnight hiking permits during the quota season of May 1 through September 30.  Currently it is illegal to exit and re-enter the BWCAW when thru-hikers cross the Gunflint Trail corridor

The North Country National Scenic Trail was established by Congress in 1980 and is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the US Forest Service, the North Country Trail Association, and many other organizations.  It is the longest National Scenic Trail in the country extending 4,800 miles across eight states.  In Northeast Minnesota, NCNST consists of the Superior Hiking Trail, Border Route Hiking Trail, and Kekekabic Hiking Trail (see attached map), which have existed on the SNF since the 1970s and 80s.  All three trails were designated as segments of the NCNST in 2016. The National Scenic Trail designation has since generated new interest from the hiking community to traverse all three sections continuously, also known as “thru-hiking”. The Border Route and Kekekabic Hiking Trails are primarily located inside the BWCAW but separated by the Gunflint Trail (Cook County Highway 12) and require multiple entry permits through www.Recreation.gov  during the BWCAW quota season (May 1 and September 30). It is illegal to exit and re-enter the BWCAW on a single permit and contrary to reservation system best practices to reserve permits with overlapping trip dates. The use on these trails is generally low based on recent entry point data.

(non-wilderness). For compliant, thru-hikers needed to reserve and pay for multiple permits to complete their trip, and book permits with overlapping trip dates. The update, effective January 29, 2025, adds two new Entry Points to the BWCAW. This enhancement is available to both NCNST thru-hikers and those visitors hiking the BWCAW portions of the Border Route and Kekekabic Trails within one consecutive trip.   

Beginning this year, NCNST hikers through the BWCAW have two new entry points available for thru-hikers accessing the trail as it enters the eastern and western edges of the BWCAW. Specifically, NCT – East (thru-hike) #90 is the name of the new entry point at the eastern terminus in the same location as Border Route Trail (east). NCT – West (thru-hike) #91 is the new entry point at the western terminus in the same location as Kekekabic Trail (west) / Snowbank. See attached map. 

Adding the two new NCNST entry points will: 

  • Allow a thru-hiker to legally exit and reenter the BWCAW when they cross the Gunflint Trail
  • Avoid the need for overlapping permits
  • Protect visitors from unnecessarily paying multiple BWCAW permit fees.   

Derreck Passe, BWCAW Collaborative Member says, “The USFS convened the BWCAW Collaborative to listen and create dialog on management of the BWCAW – this update was a work group discussion from this past year.  I expect that this permitting update will be of benefit to hiking users and I’m looking forward to more discussion on this and other topics.” 

“The North Country Trail Association greatly appreciates the Superior National Forest going the extra mile and making this permitting change happen.  The parts within the BWCAW represent the largest wilderness section of the entire 4,800-mile NCNST and this change makes it much easier for NCNST thru-hikers and section hikers to follow the permitting rules,” said Matthew Davis, ND-MN-WI Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). 

Based on current use data, a quota of 1 permit/day for the NCT-East (thru-hike) and NCT-West (thru-hike) Entry Points will be added to the existing trail quotas. The SNF Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) allows for the Forest to make ‘immediate quota changes if necessary to meet changed conditions’ (Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, page 3-55).  

Public outreach has been completed in advance of this change and included coordination with the: 

  • National Park Service – North Country National Scenic Trail 
  • North Country Trail Association
  • Border Route Trail Association
  • Kekekabic Trail Club
  • Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Collaborative  

Weblinks

Previous BWCAW Go-Live Press Releases available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/superior/news-events