More Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points Reopen on the Superior National Forest
Continued reopening of BWCAW with Phase 6 beginning August 11

(Duluth, MN, August 1, 2026) – The Superior National Forest has opened over 70% of the one-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Forest will reopen the Kekekabic and Pow Wow Trail entry points on August 11, while permit cancellations for the remaining 17 entry points are extended.

The following areas are changing access status:

**Open Entry points for the Kekekabic and Pow Wow Trails on Tuesday, August 11:
56 Kekekabic Trail-East
74 Kekekabic Trail West/Snowbank
90 North Country Trail East
91 North Country Trail West
86 Pow Wow Trail
**An extended closure/cancellation of permits due to active fire suppression response and work in these areas include:
Six Entry Points through August 12 (entry points: C, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 76)
Eleven Entry Points through August 17 (entry points D, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 16, 13, 12, 12A, and 77).
**The Forest Closure Order is still in place for outside the BWCAW (Echo Trail from North Arm Road to FR 200) and extending the Lake Jeanette Campground closure/cancellations thru August 12.

For maps and more information on the Phased reopening and fire restrictions please visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Are we trending towards lifting the fire ban at the end of the month or will it remain in place until next year?

August 7th
Notice: Last evening, the Superior National Forest had 2 new wildfires starts–
• Hanson Lake Fire. Approximately 0.25 acres. Location–Between Slim Lake and the North Arm of Burntside Lake. Cause–Lightning. Aircraft and firefighters responded. Firefighters are working at access into the fire. Managed by Superior National Forest.
• North Lake Fire. Approximately 0.25 acres. Location–Northwest of the Thumb Fire. Cause–Lightning. Aircraft and firefighters responded and are conducting full suppression. Managed by the July Lightning Complex Team. See less