Access

Effective May 1, 2025, the Superior NF boat launch parking at Saganaga Lake will be under federal management and will continue to require a fee to park there. Cost is $5 a day or $20 a week for visitors using the parking lot/boat launch for the BWCAW or for property owners.
Alternatively, the public can purchase the American the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, Senior, or Access pass that covers the standard amenity day use fee.
Passes can be purchased at all Superior NF district offices or online at https://store.usgs.gov/. Superior NF will accept Cook County’s annual pass at the Saganaga boat launch location for this season only.

Pinetree: " Access


Effective May 1, 2025, the Superior NF boat launch parking at Saganaga Lake will be under federal management and will continue to require a fee to park there. Cost is $5 a day or $20 a week for visitors using the parking lot/boat launch for the BWCAW or for property owners.
Alternatively, the public can purchase the American the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, Senior, or Access pass that covers the standard amenity day use fee.
Passes can be purchased at all Superior NF district offices or online at https://store.usgs.gov/. Superior NF will accept Cook County’s annual pass at the Saganaga boat launch location for this season only. "

One more reason why I proudly use Seagull Outfitters even after getting most of my own gear!

SaganagaJoe: "

Pinetree: " Access



Effective May 1, 2025, the Superior NF boat launch parking at Saganaga Lake will be under federal management and will continue to require a fee to park there. Cost is $5 a day or $20 a week for visitors using the parking lot/boat launch for the BWCAW or for property owners.
Alternatively, the public can purchase the American the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, Senior, or Access pass that covers the standard amenity day use fee.
Passes can be purchased at all Superior NF district offices or online at https://store.usgs.gov/. Superior NF will accept Cook County’s annual pass at the Saganaga boat launch location for this season only. "

One more reason why I proudly use Seagull Outfitters even after getting most of my own gear!"

I believe my senior pass covers all costs?

Pinetree: " Access


Effective May 1, 2025, the Superior NF boat launch parking at Saganaga Lake will be under federal management and will continue to require a fee to park there. Cost is $5 a day or $20 a week for visitors using the parking lot/boat launch for the BWCAW or for property owners.
Alternatively, the public can purchase the American the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, Senior, or Access pass that covers the standard amenity day use fee. "

Best ten bucks I ever spent. That is not a typo. :-)

gravelroad: "

Pinetree: " Access



Effective May 1, 2025, the Superior NF boat launch parking at Saganaga Lake will be under federal management and will continue to require a fee to park there. Cost is $5 a day or $20 a week for visitors using the parking lot/boat launch for the BWCAW or for property owners.
Alternatively, the public can purchase the American the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, Senior, or Access pass that covers the standard amenity day use fee. "

Best ten bucks I ever spent. That is not a typo. :-)


"

Yes bought mine like 25 years ago,now price is $80.00, PLUS maybe $10.00 handling fee. Still one heck of a bargain. SENIOR PASS

Aren't there two launches on Sag, is this the one the county used to maintain?

I thought the USFs grand marais office won’t be open, how can you buy a pass?

The “guides landing” on cty rd 81 just past the chikwauk museum, I thought was a county landing just like the sag landing. I wonder how they can take something that’s owned by the county and call it theirs. Also, how will they staff it to collect fees? It’s usually pay the box and take the parking tag. Never heard if that situation was abused.

The things the feds decide to spend money on just baffles me sometimes.

I wonder if the usfs law enforcement also got chopped?

Mocha: "I thought the USFs grand marais office won’t be open, how can you buy a pass?"

FYI the Kawishiwi and Gunflint ranger stations will still be open as I understand it, just not staffed at a level high enough to issue BWCA permits to anyone who wants to pick theirs up there.

(Edit: it's true though that hours will be reduced, not open at all on weekends)

They will still be issuing PMA permits in person (with an email option as well), and even BWCA permits to those who have PMA reservations.

This is as per the email I got about my PMA permit options.

brulu: "

Mocha: "I thought the USFs grand marais office won’t be open, how can you buy a pass?"

FYI the Kawishiwi and Gunflint ranger stations will still be open as I understand it, just not staffed at a level high enough to issue BWCA permits to anyone who wants to pick theirs up there.


They will still be issuing PMA permits in person (with an email option as well), and even BWCA permits to those who have PMA reservations.


This is as per the email I got about my PMA permit options."

APRIL 24TH UPDATE USFS;

Updated ranger office hours are online at fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/offices. The Tofte office is the only one of five, including the headquarters in Duluth, that will be open on weekends from May through September.

The staffing deficit and reduced office hours at ranger stations isn’t new. The Forest Service, which manages the 3 million-acre Superior National Forest and the BWCAW, last year put a hiring freeze in place for this summer. The Tofte and Gunflint office hours were reduced last August because of a lack of workers.

Workforce cuts this winter through the Trump administration also have hampered the agency. One employee who requested anonymity after probationary workers were fired and others felt compelled to retire early said that the SNF staff was “in crisis mode” and already was down 100 workers to 250.

Mocha: "I thought the USFs grand marais office won’t be open, how can you buy a pass?


The “guides landing” on cty rd 81 just past the chikwauk museum, I thought was a county landing just like the sag landing. I wonder how they can take something that’s owned by the county and call it theirs. Also, how will they staff it to collect fees? It’s usually pay the box and take the parking tag. Never heard if that situation was abused.


The things the feds decide to spend money on just baffles me sometimes.


I wonder if the usfs law enforcement also got chopped?"

The way I read it is that the USFS is going to manage it, not own it. Maybe the county or whoever was running it before would have closed the access if the USFS didn't step in?
Just speculating?

Pinetree: "

brulu: "

Mocha: "I thought the USFs grand marais office won’t be open, how can you buy a pass?"

FYI the Kawishiwi and Gunflint ranger stations will still be open as I understand it, just not staffed at a level high enough to issue BWCA permits to anyone who wants to pick theirs up there.



They will still be issuing PMA permits in person (with an email option as well), and even BWCA permits to those who have PMA reservations.



This is as per the email I got about my PMA permit options."

APRIL 24TH UPDATE USFS;


Updated ranger office hours are online at fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/offices. The Tofte office is the only one of five, including the headquarters in Duluth, that will be open on weekends from May through September.


The staffing deficit and reduced office hours at ranger stations isn’t new. The Forest Service, which manages the 3 million-acre Superior National Forest and the BWCAW, last year put a hiring freeze in place for this summer. The Tofte and Gunflint office hours were reduced last August because of a lack of workers.


Workforce cuts this winter through the Trump administration also have hampered the agency. One employee who requested anonymity after probationary workers were fired and others felt compelled to retire early said that the SNF staff was “in crisis mode” and already was down 100 workers to 250."

That's a good point Pinetree, while not closing altogether, they are reducing hours, and most ranger stations won't be open on weekends at all.

Public Access Sag Lake before 2025 info. cook county 2024



Cook County government:
HomeGovernmentDepartmentsAuditor TreasurerBusiness LicensesSag Lake Parking Permits
Saganaga Lake Parking Permits-$75.00
Planning a trip into the Boundary Waters and need a place to park your vehicle?
Day, week, or seasonal parking permits are needed to park at the Boat Landings on Saganaga Lake, located at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
Day and week passes are available at the parking areas (look for the pay box).

this sounds like how it has been operated in the past. VCO was the "host" in that they would monitor the two lots to make sure vehicles had permits displayed.

The senior pass is one of the best deals I have purchased. I use it every year and save $.

i believe they also manage the campsites at the end of the trail .

I remember getting my card for free.

On Aug. 28, 2017, the price of the lifetime America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass – increased for the first time since 1994, from $10 to $80. A one-year Senior Pass is also available for $20 now.
There may have been a small window at first for free?
I must of got mine about 1996.

that pass gets you admission for free to all National Parks and any other places?

Mocha: "that pass gets you admission for free to all National Parks and any other places?"

Yes,it is also intresting if you lose it it can't be replaced,you have to buy a new one Senior pass or some call it a old Geezers pass

Bought mine years ago at the Tofte forest Station-
For the BWCA you get a 50% discount on entry fee.