We're coming from Fort Frances, through Voyageurs, entering at Little Vermillion Lake. Problem is, they want me to pick up the BWCA permit at a ranger station? Kind of hard to do, when its miles away on a road. There's a place called Zup's, maybe pick it up there? The group's input is appreciated.

Yes, most outfitters can issue permits. You may want to switch your permit pickup place to the outfitter (after calling them). You can do the switch on the recreation.gov system.

There may also be ways to pick up permits early for special circumstances. I think that is done for the enter from Canada permits when crossing from Quetico to the BW away from a ranger station. But I don't know if it is done for other permits.

Chuck,
I don't quite understand your plans. If you are entering as a group at Ft. Francis from Canada then you would most likely use the entry point #71- entry from Canada.
The issue here is that someone must obtain the permit in person. I have never heard of anyone getting a permit in the mail.

So no matter how you do your trip, someone has to get a permit. However, since your situation is not entirely unique, I would venture to guess that an American outfitter could issue the permit and send you a copy. Probably not legal in the the spirit of the law but acceptable under your circumstances. Contact a US outfitter and tell them your story.
Tom

Are you driving across the border at Fort Frances?

Years ago I was contemplating a solo tour from western Rainy Lake to Grand Portage and I contacted the Forest Supervisor's Office for the Superior National Forest by email. They said that I could arrange to pick up the permit early. I am searching for that email so that I could give you more details. I am sure I saved or copied to a text file. I'll chime back in if I locate it.

Might it depend on whether you camp on the US side before entering the BW. If you camp on the US side in Voyageurs does it still count as entering from Canada?

Seems like a good case for calling the Forest Service directly and talking to them about the exact plan.

I picked up a permit early for entry 71 when I started a trip in canada and ended up at Ely. So they will issue one a week advance if thats what you need. In the original post it sounds like nobody in the party will be in the us before the trip. Are they all canadians? I dont know.

Call the nearest Ranger Station to your entry point and explain your situation, that you will be out in the wild the day of your expected entry into the BWCA.

I had the same exact situation when I backpacked the Superior Hiking Trail into the Border Route Trail which goes through the BWCA. I explained that on my scheduled day for entering the BWCA, I couldn’t make it to any issuing stations to grab my permit. They ended up issuing my permit a week in advance, and I suspect they will do the same for you.

Looks like it will be LaCroix Station for you: LaCroix Ranger Station

Minnesotian: "
Call the nearest Ranger Station to your entry point and explain your situation, that you will be out in the wild the day of your expected entry into the BWCA.


I had the same exact situation when I backpacked the Superior Hiking Trail into the Border Route Trail which goes through the BWCA. I explained that on my scheduled day for entering the BWCA, I couldn’t make it to any issuing stations to grab my permit. They ended up issuing my permit a week in advance, and I suspect they will do the same for you.


Looks like it will be LaCroix Station for you: LaCroix Ranger Station "

FYI - one of our party has a cottage on the water in IFalls, so we are launching straight from there. So all Americans, not coming from Canada. Even if we can pick up a week early from LaCroix ranger station, that means a 75 minute drive one way to go pick it up. Still a hassle. I'm surprised they make it such an ordeal.

The USFS has been clear in response to my questions that you can get a 71 in advance.

From Canada is tougher to be sure but if you paddled through Canadian waters by the treaty before entering BWCA, it probably is fine. I think there are differences of opinion within USFS on what From Canada means. Someone here will claim to be sure they know but i have asked - individual rangers to the direcyor of SNF and cant get unequivocal answers. Make up your mind what you want it to be and stick to it.

OK, the LaCroix ranger station says I can pick it up at Zups. They will send me a "self-issued" permit so I can spend the day in BWCA, and we will bet at Zup's in the evening. Crisis averted, I guess. Thanks for the suggestions.

Good plan. I always take a self issue day paddle permit when i use one so i have it.

Let us know what Zups charges you.