Boundary waters Permit Season is Here: A Guide to Go Live 2026

The heart of winter has settled in up here in the Northwoods. The Boundary Waters is locked up tight with solid ice, snow-covered lakes, and quiet woods broken only by the occasional snowmobile or wolf track. While paddles and packs are tucked away for now, trip planning season is in full swing. Outfitters’ phones are buzzing, calendars are open, and Boundary Waters permits are once again front and center. That can only mean one thing: permit “Go Live” day is almost here.

In just a couple of days from the time of writing this, on Wednesday, January 28th at 9:00 a.m. CST, Boundary Waters enthusiasts will be glued to their computer screens, refreshing browsers and hoping for that perfect permit. Many of us have been through this routine before (like… the last several years), while for others this will be their very first time. Whether you’re a seasoned BWCAW veteran or a first-timer dreaming about your inaugural trip, it’s a good idea to refresh not only your browser—but your brain—before permit morning arrives.

2026 BWCAW Permit Go Live Details

This year’s Boundary Waters permits will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026. As in previous years, permits will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Popular paddle entry points like South Kawishiwi, Little Gabbro, Mudro, and others are expected to sell out quickly—often within minutes or even seconds of going live.

Because of that, any small advantage you can gain may be the difference between landing your dream entry point or pivoting to a backup plan. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you prepare for this year’s permit day. These won’t guarantee success, but they can absolutely help when the pressure is on at 8:59 a.m. on January 28th. So grab your coffee, tea, whiskey, or beer, and let’s dive in.

How Permits Will Be Reserved

The permit reservation process remains the same as in recent years. All permits will be reserved on the Forest Service website: www.recreation.gov. Permits will go live at 9:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.

If you prefer to reserve by phone, you may call (877)-444-6777.

“Why Can’t You Just Do It for Me?”

We get this question every year, and the short answer is: we can. We’re happy to attempt to reserve your permit on your behalf—just let us know your preferred entry point and dates.

The longer (and more honest) answer is that you personally have the best chance of getting your permit if you attempt it yourself. Outfitters do not receive any priority or special access. We pull from the same pool of permits at the same time as the general public. With many clients and permits to juggle, prioritization becomes tricky, and unfortunately someone always misses out on a first choice. If your trip hinges on a specific entry point or date, we strongly encourage you to be logged in and ready yourself.

A Few Important Things to Know Before Permit Day

Paddle & Overnight Motor PermitsA permit holder may not have more than one permit in their name for the same or overlapping dates, regardless of entry point. The Forest Service will automatically cancel duplicate or overlapping permits. This rule helps prevent permit hoarding.This restriction does not apply to Day Use Motor permits or nonprofit groups. Nonprofit groups may hold up to three permits per group leader per day.

Day Use Motor PermitsEach year, a significant number of day use motor permits go unused due to no-shows or over-booking. Please do not reserve permits unless you fully intend to use them, and cancel any extras as soon as possible.We understand that weather and schedules can be unpredictable, especially for locals and out-of-state visitors. While the Forest Service considers unused permits “part of the quota,” it can be frustrating when guests can’t find permits early in the week—only to see many reappear late in the week due to last-minute cancellations.

Tips for a Successful Permit Go Live Day (January 28th)

1. Create or Verify Your Recreation.gov Account Now

   Don’t wait until permit morning. Make sure your account is set up, your password works, and your information is current. If you’ve reserved permits before, use the “forgot password” option to regain access.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Website

   Log in, click on the “Permits” tab, search for “BWCAW,” and explore the layout. Permit reservations will remain closed until 9:00 a.m. CST on January 28th.

3. Know Exactly Which Permit You Need

   Paddle, Overnight Motor, and Day Use Motor permits are all different. Be careful with motor permits—some are split into categories (for example, Fall Lake “Only” vs. “And Beyond”). Make sure you’re selecting the correct permit for your route.

4. Be Logged In and Ready at 9:00 a.m. CST

   Have your payment method ready and all dates confirmed. Permits move fast.

5. Use the Shopping Cart

   You can add up to seven permits to your cart before checking out, which can save time if you’re reserving multiple permits. Just be sure each one is correct before finalizing.

6. Double-Check Everything Before Checkout

   Confirm dates, entry points, and permit type. If adding an alternate leader, be sure to check the “alternate” box—not “group member.”

   If you want your permit issued through us, select Packsack Canoe Trips & Log Cabins as your issuing station from the dropdown menu.

7. Add Alternates (Strongly Recommended)

   Alternates cannot be added later. If purchasing an overnight permit, you’ll be charged the $16 camping fee for each party member added.

8. Please Don’t Over-Reserve

   If multiple people in your group attempt permits and extras are secured, cancel unused permits immediately. Cancelled permits are released back into the system randomly after about 12 hours.

9. One Permit Per Person, Per Date

   If your group is larger than nine and requires multiple permits, another group member must reserve the additional permit. Listing the same alternate on multiple permits is not allowed.

   
   

It may seem like a lot of work just to secure access to one of America’s most visited wilderness areas, but it’s absolutely worth it. When you’re sitting by the fire, watching the stars and listening to loons echo across the lake, you’ll be glad you took the time to prepare.

We hope these tips help reduce the stress and improve your chances of landing the permit you want. If you have questions about entry points or permits, please contact us before January 28th at 218-365-3788 or nick-danielle@packsackcanoetrips.com (please leave a voicemail—we only have one phone line).

If you experience technical issues on www.recreation.gov, contact the Forest Service directly at (877)-444-6777. Once permit sales begin at 9:00 a.m., we’ll be unavailable until we’ve completed our own permit reservations.

Best of luck to everyone on permit day—we look forward to hearing about your plans and helping make 2026 another unforgettable Boundary Waters season.

Nick & Danielle