Lottery for BWCA permits now open

by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio

Duluth, Minn. — People planning a trip to northeast Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe area have a shot at hard-to-get permits through a lottery now underway.

Chris Reichenbach with the Superior National Forest says the lottery provides an opportunity to get some of the more popular entry dates and entry points.

"We know that there are some entries that are especially popular at certain times of the year, and it's the - it seems like the most fair approach at giving everybody an opportunity to apply," Reichenbach said.

Reichenbach says the permits will be picked by lottery after January 15th, and only people awarded permits will be charged a fee. Beginning January 20th, people can make entry reservations on a first-come first served basis.