Something I've always wondered but never been able to find an answer to - can you stay past the exit day on your permit, or exit at a different point than the one on your permit?

Obviously we all know that you have to use the day and EP on your permit when starting a trip, but what about exiting? If you decide to extend your trip or change your route for any reason, is that legal or would you potentially get in trouble if checked?

Not that I'm planning on doing it, but I have never seen this addressed.

I'm not sure when they started asking those questions. For years you never had to list an exit point or date.

I asked the FS employee in Duluth that was issuing my permit that very question...what if we have weather issues or what if we decided to stay longer? Are we bound to exit that day and time?

His response was no. They ask those questions to gather "Use Data", but it's not a requirement.

Speckled: "I'm not sure when they started asking those questions. For years you never had to list an exit point or date.


I asked the FS employee in Duluth that was issuing my permit that very question...what if we have weather issues or what if we decided to stay longer? Are we bound to exit that day and time?


His response was no. They ask those questions to gather "Use Data", but it's not a requirement."

That's what I kinda assumed, but it seemed weird that there was no specific information on it anywhere, at least not that I could find.

I also asked and advised I would not have to be out the date I stated. In my mind I have an idea about maximum nights per permit but could find nothing on REC.GOV and have no number in mind, only I would likely never stay that long.

Entry and exit date information will also be very valuable for any agency responding to a SAR's/Search and Rescue's.
I never gave the exit date much thought and am usually pretty close to my Itinerary, but I did notice the change, and I agree that it doesn't matter.

You can exit whenever you want. I think they ask this in case of an emergency-a starting point to find my rotting carcass. lol. They've also asked me what kind of car I drive.

LindenTree: "Entry and exit date information will also be very valuable for any agency responding to a SAR's/Search and Rescue's.
I never gave the exit date much thought and am usually pretty close to my Itinerary, but I did notice the change, and I agree that it doesn't matter."

This is the reason here. They might try to use the data because they already have it, but the original reason they started asking is for SAR. It is a lot easier to find you if they know where you were supposed to be.

bhouse46: "I also asked and advised I would not have to be out the date I stated. In my mind I have an idea about maximum nights per permit but could find nothing on REC.GOV and have no number in mind, only I would likely never stay that long."

You’re probably thinking of the 14-day limit on nights at a particular campsite:

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Rules and Regulations

There is no limit per se on the number of nights you can spend in the BWCAW. However, the bar on staying overnight during the 5/1 to 9/30 period under a self-issued permit means you would need a permit issued under the feds’ auspices to stay longer than six months, however you timed it. And with the demise of online issuance, you need to be physically present outside the BWCAW to pick up an overnight permit for that period.

To answer the other part of your question, yes you can exit from a different EP. It's done all the time.