Where can I get a list of PMA lakes and their location? I am toying with the idea of mixing in a PMA night or two with a regular BWCA trip. I know you must register special for a PMA and not even sure how to do that. If someone could point me in the right direction I can spend until May happily researching the idea.

thanks,merlyn

link - BWCA Wild seems to be the most comprehensive site with PMA information. See PMA tab for more information on the 12 PMA areas.

Once I have an area figured out, I would search bwca.com for past threads and trip reports associated with that PMA.

There is special interest forum with a lot of info here which can be found at the bottom of your message board page.

Here is a link to the US Forest Service publication on PMAs.

And here is a link to a thread with further discussion about reserving your entry.

Definitely join the PMA forum on here. That is where I got tons of great info for our first PMA trip. Here is a link to my trip report about the Hairy Lake PMA

As the PMA Turns...

The information about obtaining a PMA permit is quite variable and seems to depend on which ranger you get. I had no trouble calling up the ranger station that oversees the Hairy Lake PMA and reserving the permit ahead of time. However, other people have been told you can't reserve a permit and that you have to request it when you pick up your regular BWCA permit at the ranger station. This has left some eager campers permit less, so I recommend trying to get someone on the phone who will write you into the reservation book.

Note that you MUST pick up your regular permit and the PMA permit at a ranger station. An outfitter cannot issue a PMA permit. Also expect to get questioned more about Leave No Trace as well as your general wilderness experience level.