With the new reservation system: does anyone know if you can reserve for 1 person instead of a "minimum of 2 adults"? That always bothered me.

Last year it was still 2 person minimum.

Oh , wait. You asked about the new reservation system. It seems like a two person minimum issue is the least of their problems!

The last I knew it was still 2, but the new system was unusable so can't say for sure. It seems like it would be less work for everyone if they'd let you put in one when that's what it's going to be rather than make the outfitters (or FS) change it so you get a credit.

I asked about the solo permit when the topic about changes came up and input was being forwarded to decision makers. Once they get it worked out we will see. I have learned expecting rational behavior from irrational people/groups (government) is irrational.

Always could, yeah they have a 2 min and refund the rest after permit pickup, never stopped or bothered me. One season only I remember reserving a permit for just one being charged for just one. Never found it a hassle the rest of the time and the refunds always came thru.

boonie, the changes instituted on the EP system indicate they care less now about the workload on their office staff or their customers. I do not like to be pessimistic, but doubt any changes will happen to improve this till another vendor takes over.

butthead

Funny story about the solo permit.....

On my second solo I was camped on Kawishiwi Lake for my last night to have a quick and easy exit the next morning. A ranger comes to my camp to check my permit and he starts looking around and starts laughing. He said I don't think there is room for another person to fit in that solo canoe with you, your dog, and your pack. When I picked up my permit they forgot to change it from 2 people to 1 and I didn't notice in my excitement to get on the road and to the E.P. He wrote a note on my permit and told me to stop at the Tofte Ranger Station to have them refund my money for the extra person....... I didn't bother stopping.

Still the minimum of 2 adults. I always have to add 2 adults to cart + a senior pass discounted one. (seniors aren't adults? lol)

(double post deleted)

No reason not to complicate the simple is there . . . ?

It's been my suspicion that the reason for setting the minimum to two was to intentionally make it more costly to reserve (vs pick up) a permit, thus reducing the likelihood of a person reserving multiple permits. When the cost of a reservation is very low, some people will be more inclined to either make reservations in multiple spots, reserve spots they are uncertain they will use, or even buy up spots just to ensure more privacy at their entry. How big of an issue this really is is unknown to me, but it would not surprise me if it were quite real. Such gamesmanship occurs in many places. I think of the temporary extra person charge as "show up" insurance for all of us. The price of a BWCA OP entry permit is already ridiculously cheap compared to almost any other recreational activity.

In past years signing up for two and getting the discount when I picked up my permit has worked okay. Providing a backup name and email that they will verify seems rather poorly thought through and a burden for the solo paddler. Anyone with experience getting a permit for a solo trip with the new system please share.

I've gotten many permits for solo trips and had no trouble getting the refund, but I have no idea how it's going to work this year. You bring up an interesting point I hadn't really thought about. It looks like we'll find out in less than a week.

" Anyone with experience getting a permit for a solo trip please share. "

Lot's over the years. Only 1 year did they accept and charge reservations for a single traveler I still have that permit. Never a problem getting a refund and have always picked up at FS Stations. Stopped reserving EP's when I retired and went with what was available when I was there, no problem there with solo's.

Reports have it they are charging the reservation fee's for that now. So if I have to pay for it I'll reserve every time in the future.

"Beginning in 2019, the $10.00 reservation fee is changing to $6.00 for every quota permit. That means whether you reserve a permit ahead of time or purchase a ‘walk-in’ permit, the fee will be $6.00. This includes Day Use Motor permits."

butthead

bhouse46: "In past years signing up for two and getting the discount when I picked up my permit has worked okay. Providing a backup name and email that they will verify seems rather poorly thought through and a burden for the solo paddler. Anyone with experience getting a permit for a solo trip with the new system please share."

I understood it as you only need to supply a name and email for an "alternate trip leader".... not for additional people. For example a group of 9 doesn't put a name and email for all 9 people. Just the one(s) that would be alternate trip leaders in case the person getting the permit can't make it so the rest of the group can still go.

Who knows though....... the way things have been going I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they messed that up and made everyone including a solo tripper add an "alternate trip leader" with name and email.

All of my permits have been solo or tandem with my wife or 1 of my ducklings so I've never put an alternate trip leader. The ducklings are not going without me and my wife has no desire to go solo so there isn't a need for me to have an alternate trip leader when I reserve my permit.

me, myself, and I

butthead: "" Stopped reserving EP's when I retired and went with what was available when I was there, no problem there with solo's.


Reports have it they are charging the reservation fee's for that now. So if I have to pay for it I'll reserve every time in the future.

"Beginning in 2019, the $10.00 reservation fee is changing to $6.00 for every quota permit. That means whether you reserve a permit ahead of time or purchase a ‘walk-in’ permit, the fee will be $6.00. This includes Day Use Motor permits."


butthead"

is that correct? in addition to the $16 fee there will be a charge for a reservation whether or not you make one?

I also do the same, rather than reserve take what is available, and if none, there are many other places to paddle in the area, some more remote and wild than the BWCA

I have not reserved or dealt with the new system, but that is a quote from listed changes.
Just like mentioning the fee dropping to $6, that happened several years ago instituted by the old vendor. I'm not happy paying a reservation fee for waling in. They could have just admitted to upping the price across the board and been done with it.

butthead

So I guess the answer is no, it hasn't changed.

I was able to specify one person on the permit for $16, but there is also an automatically added "deposit" charge of $16.

The FAQ states a minimum charge of $32 when reserving a permit. Probably to dissuade people from buying a bunch of cheap permits as a 'solo' and then canceling most of them later.

here's a look at my charges as a soloist for 1 permit-entry this season:
1 Senior Pass $8.00* (50% discount--America the Beautiful Senior Pass)
User Fee $24.00**
Reserve Fee $6.00
Total Charges: $38.00
$24 of that will be refunded at issuance of the actual permit.
*Entered the pass # for validation.
**The user fee was automatically added. I don't understand how they structure that charge at all.
clearly, there are some inconsistencies, hiccups, and glitches to be worked out this year so I can't claim to know if this example is consistent with other's single entry permit. I'm assuming it is.

Well, I didn't know you could enter the Senior Pass # for validation . . ., but otherwise the $38.00 charge is the same - it's 2 user fees @ $16.00 + $6.00 permit fee. The extra user fee gets refunded after wards and I understand that's the same way with the Senior Pass, which I was told needed to be presented when the permit was picked up. I wonder what the advantage of entering the Senior Pass now would be - not needing to bring it?

If I remember right (that's questionable), regular USFS campsites will deduct the discount during campsite reservation. Many of these campgrounds are self registered, no operators on duty.
EP reservation differs because you need to pick the permit up day of or day before in person, at a co-operating outfitter or USFS station.
I have received the discounts reserving campsites in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Superior National Forest, Ottawa National Forest, do not understand why the BWCA EP system cannot do the same.

butthead

Well, I entered it in my account information, but there doesn't seem to be an advantage for permits - it says you still have to present it at pick up. It seems like you shouldn't have to if you put it in, but . . . that's what it says. So if someone else going with me has a Senior Pass, they'll need to show up and present it at the outfitter's . . . ?

boonie: "Well, I didn't know you could enter the Senior Pass # for validation . . ., but otherwise the $38.00 charge is the same - it's 2 user fees @ $16.00 + $6.00 permit fee. The extra user fee gets refunded after wards and I understand that's the same way with the Senior Pass, which I was told needed to be presented when the permit was picked up. I wonder what the advantage of entering the Senior Pass now would be - not needing to bring it? "

No, boonie, must carry it. It states specifically to bring it in case you are asked to show it at Ranger Station or outfitter. Dunno. Seems superfluous to enter it in when reserving online. Next year I will show the card when I submit the email confirmation to the outfitter/or Ranger Station.

butthead: "" Anyone with experience getting a permit for a solo trip please share. "


Lot's over the years. Only 1 year did they accept and charge reservations for a single traveler I still have that permit. Never a problem getting a refund and have always picked up at FS Stations. Stopped reserving EP's when I retired and went with what was available when I was there, no problem there with solo's.


Reports have it they are charging the reservation fee's for that now. So if I have to pay for it I'll reserve every time in the future.

"Beginning in 2019, the $10.00 reservation fee is changing to $6.00 for every quota permit. That means whether you reserve a permit ahead of time or purchase a ‘walk-in’ permit, the fee will be $6.00. This includes Day Use Motor permits."


butthead"

That last statement was a quote? They changes from 10 bucks to six a few years ago already. But yeah, if they are going to charge the reservation fee to everyone we mind as well make reservations now. Now if only I could paddle...

butthead: "" Anyone with experience getting a permit for a solo trip please share. "


Lot's over the years. Only 1 year did they accept and charge reservations for a single traveler I still have that permit. Never a problem getting a refund and have always picked up at FS Stations. Stopped reserving EP's when I retired and went with what was available when I was there, no problem there with solo's.


Reports have it they are charging the reservation fee's for that now. So if I have to pay for it I'll reserve every time in the future.

"Beginning in 2019, the $10.00 reservation fee is changing to $6.00 for every quota permit. That means whether you reserve a permit ahead of time or purchase a ‘walk-in’ permit, the fee will be $6.00. This includes Day Use Motor permits."


butthead"

That last statement was a quote? They changes from 10 bucks to six a few years ago already. But yeah, if they are going to charge the reservation fee to everyone we mind as well make reservations now. Now if only I could paddle...

Yes Ben I did also mention that the cost for reservations went down several years ago, they get no credit for claiming a reduction. But if they charge for walk up permitting, that is on the new operators and is no longer a reservation fee but a general fee increase.

butthead