BOUNDARY WATERS – They can keep paddling and portaging.

Despite a shutdown of the federal government that starts today (Oct. 1), the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will remain open.

The BWCA is the most visited wilderness area in the nation, though October and late fall and generally quiet times across the canoe-country. Nonetheless, the shutdown will not impact recreation opportunities inside the wilderness.

The shutdown does impact federal employees who work on Superior National Forest for the U.S. Forest Service. The BWCA Wilderness is located inside Superior National Forest.

In previous government shutdowns, including 2013 and the longest such event in U.S. history from 2018-19 that lasted 35 days, the BWCA Wilderness remained open. Like other years when there’s been a halt to funding to the federal government, the shutdown could impact things like upkeep at campgrounds on Superior National Forest, but even those largely remained open during previous shutdowns.

Regarding BWCA Wilderness access, all overnight permits become self-issued starting today (Oct. 1), which coincidentally is the first day of the shutdown. The ranger stations from Tofte to Grand Marais to Ely will temporarily close in the shutdown of the federal government, though all permits would still be available at outfitters or self-issue kiosks located at entry points to the BWCA Wilderness.

Paddle and Portage reached out for comment to officials from Superior National Forest regarding the government shutdown. Joy Vandrie, a spokesperson for Superior National Forest, told Paddle and Portage all communication about the shutdown needs to go to a general email address for the United States Department of Agriculture.

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