Here are some wild alternatives to Boundary Waters trips 鈥� no permit needed

Crescent Lake, Superior National Forest — Crescent Lake is inside the Superior National Forest, but outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It offers a boat landing, camping sites and access to other lakes via canoe portages. No special permits are required.

By John Myers

July 14, 2023 at 6:00 AM

DULUTH 鈥� If you weren鈥檛 able to secure that Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit you wanted this summer, there are still backcountry options out there for adventures across the Superior National Forest.

Forest officials recently highlighted 15 鈥渦nder the radar鈥� canoe routes, hiking trails and rustic camping options outside the BWCAW and which don鈥檛 require permits, don鈥檛 take reservations and 鈥� get this 鈥� are free. Of course, that's a good news/bad news scenario because you won't know until you get there if the site is open.

These backcountry options are listed by the national forest ranger district where they are located, with the nearest town listed.

Gunflint Ranger District, Grand Marais area

: Six lakes linked by four portages make up the Twin Lakes Canoe Route. There are five backcountry campsites along the way, and lots of opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.

: Two backcountry sites are available on this lake to canoe or motorboat in. There is a concrete boat ramp with gravel parking. Each campsite has a fire grate, latrine and may have a picnic table. There is no public restroom available at the boat launch.

: This small campground is particularly suited to people who are planning to fish for trout in the Cascade River or are looking for a remote place to camp. There are tables at the campsites and a new outhouse constructed with funds from the Great American Outdoors Act.

Tofte Ranger District, Tofte area

Fishing pier at Hogback Lake, Superior National Forest — The fishing pier at Hogback Lake in the Superior National Forest.

: Great canoe route from Crescent Lake down to Rice Lake. Fishing Crescent Lake for walleye, muskie and northern is easy with a boat ramp and trailer storage area, a barrier-free fishing pier, and several boat storage areas for canoes. From Crescent Lake, it is possible to portage into several other lakes and it can make a nice canoe route to paddle down to Rice Lake, where there are three campsites and a portage to a small parking area.

Hogback Lake area in the Superior National Forest — The Hogback Lake recreation area has a rustic campground with three sites, a 5-mile trail system and five backcountry campsites.

: This recreation area has a rustic campground with three sites, a 5-mile trail system passing six lakes with several loops, and five backcountry campsites along the trail. There is also a boat launch and an accessible fishing pier.

: Section 29 Rustic Campground has four small sites on the shore of Section 29 Lake.

: Four sites accessible by car on the lakeshore with a drive down boat ramp and dock. Nearby Little Wilson Lake also has a boat ramp, and there is a portage trail from Wilson to Sister Lake.

Laurentian Ranger District, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes area

: This is a 3-mile hiking trail around Otto and Harris Lakes.

The St. Louis River site offers one canoe-in campsite. From the river you can portage into Seven Beaver and Round lakes that have three canoe-in sites on remote, quiet lakes with a good chance of seeing wildlife.

This recreation area offers two boat-in and two drive-in sites. ATVs are allowed on the 500-foot portage. Camping is allowed in parking area.

LaCroix Ranger District, Cook area

This area has 7 miles of hiking trail, six backcountry campsites and a canoe route with four interconnected lakes, including Astrid Lake, Maude Lake, Pauline Lake and Nigh Lake. The area provides an opportunity to experience wilderness-style camping without wilderness permits and regulations.

: A remote, quiet lake with three backcountry campsites.

: Has two backcountry campsites that are accessible by a 120-rod portage off Forest Road 200, 2 miles south of the Echo Trail. Roadside parking is available. Additionally, the area offers opportunities to do the whole hunting shack canoe route. Great wilderness-style camping without wilderness permits and regulations.

Kawishiwi Ranger District, Ely area

: This route offers 10 lakes and two rivers with backcountry campsites similar to those in the wilderness.

: This lake has two backcountry sites that resemble near-wilderness single party sites. They are accessible by foot or boat.

: This trail system has two loops; one is 2 miles and the other is 3 miles. The trail is ideal for taking a short hike with small children or a longer, more rugged overnight trip. There are numerous locations that overlook Secret, Blackstone and Ennis lakes and one of several small ponds.

Outdoor safety and ethics

Use the provided facilities for your campfires, tents and human waste and follow 鈥淟eave No Trace鈥� ethics. If you pack it in, pack it out as garbage. Leave nothing behind.

Camping is limited to 14 days within any continuous 30-day period at any location within the same 20-mile radius.

For more information

For more details on dispersed and rustic camping in the national forest, go to and go to "dispersed camping." Or, you can call specific ranger districts.

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