Hey all,

I usually get my year's worth of reservations in January, but this year everything's gone mad. Anyway, I was checking to see what is available and its pretty much nothing. Is this normal?

I seem to recall it being tough, so maybe its somewhat normal.

Right now is peak season of a normal year. Add in the Covid rush of people wanting to get out and it's super busy now.

I’d say keep checking frequently. Some of the new people might decide to do something else. I was seeing someone today and he stated he was going in for the first time into the BWCA. He pretty much didn’t know anything. Hadn’t planned anything. Also had another opportunity for something else and was debating on doing that instead. I’d be concerned about Leave No Trace with as little as this person seemed to know, plan or care.

I was looking for a permit in early august a few weeks ago and there was nothing available except for entry points I wasn't interested in....Little Vermilion, Trout Lake, Snowbank only, etc. I always have been able to get something even closer to my entry date, so yes I would say it's busier than normal. Besides newbies, you also have all the people that would go to the Quetico or other places in Ontario, including those people from further east who would go to places like Algonquin.

I put off my trip until the third week of August and got a permit for John lake. I may not go if it's that busy. I hate racing for campsites.

marsonite: "

dhfish: "Hey all,


I usually get my years worth of reservations in January, but this year everythings gone mad. Anyway I was checking to see what is available and its pretty much nothing- is this normal?


I seem to recall it being tough, so maybe its somewhat normal.



"

I was looking for a permit in early august a few weeks ago and there was nothing available except for entry points I wasn't interested in....Little Vermilion, Trout Lake, Snowbank only, etc. I always have been able to get something even closer to my entry date, so yes I would say it's busier than normal. Besides newbies, you also have all the people that would go to the Quetico or other places in Ontario, including those people from further east who would go to places like Algonquin.


I put off my trip until the third week of August and got a permit for John lake. I may not go if it's that busy. I hate racing for campsites. "

I hate racing for campsites too. It’s always stressful getting to a put in and seeing how many cars are there. Then after you get a few portages behind you it disperses some. I’m going the end of August and plan on hitting out of the way lakes, be on the water early and in camp mid afternoon before the wind comes up. (Fingers crossed)

Gaidin53: "I’d say keep checking frequently. Some of the new people might decide to do something else. I was seeing someone today and he stated he was going in for the first time into the BWCA. He pretty much didn’t know anything. Hadn’t planned anything. Also had another opportunity for something else and was debating on doing that instead. I’d be concerned about LNT with as little as this person seemed to know, plan or care."

Edit: Took about 5 minutes for me to realize it meant Leave No Trace.

Thanks everyone for your responses! It's probably a good thing there is a fire ban...