The Superior National Forest manages many resources with the objective of caring for the land and serving people. Management protects natural resource values, public health and safety and is consistent with the Forest land and resource management goals outlined in the Forest Plan. To meet these objectives, permits may be required for the occupancy and use of Forest Service land or resources. Additionally, passes assist in funding certain management projects or activities.

• Recreation Passes and Permits

  Local passes and permits related to recreating on the forest.

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• Forest Products Permits

  Edible material, decorative material, minerals, plants, woody material (includes Christmas tree and firewood permit information).

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• Events and Commercial Permits

  Filming, group use and outfitter guide information

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• Research Permits

  Can take one month to process.

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• Other Permits

  Includes BWCAW permit reservation information. For permit applications for other items such as electrical easements, utility lines, oil and gas pipelines or monitoring wells, please contact the appropriate Ranger District Office for information.

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Transportation

Permits are required for:

• Use of roads not open to the general public for motorized use.
• Use of roads/driveways across National Forest System lands to access private property.
• Snowplowing Forest roads.

Permit Not Required

Permits are not required for collection of minor forest products such as flowers, plants, berries, acorns, nuts or small amounts of medicinal roots from areas other than designated recreation, research, natural or other areas closed to such activities.  However, such collections are limited to reasonable quantities for personal use; there can be no disturbance of surface resources and the products must not be protected by state or federal laws or regulations.

General Information About USFS Special Use Permits

For general information about special uses on the National Forests across the country, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/specialuses/index.shtml

Reserving BWCAW Permits for a Non-Profit Organization

A non-profit organization (NPO) may reserve a maximum of three permits per season under the organization's name, allowing any member of the organization to become the Group Leader at the time of permit pickup. A NPO using this option must be prepared to show evidence of legal non-profit status when picking up the permit.

BWCAW Cooperator Program 

The purpose of the BWCAW Cooperator Program is to supplement services provided at Forest Service Offices by establishing alternative locations from which Wilderness visitors may obtain travel permits. BWCAW cooperator applications will be reviewed annually following the BWCAW Permit Cooperator Application deadline of August 1. All applicants will be notified by November 1 for the following quota permit season. Please call 218-626-4300 to request an application.