BWCA Campsite #1098 on Fourtown Lake: Your Ely Wilderness Adventure Gateway

Introduction / Overview: Your Basecamp on Fourtown Lake at BWCA Campsite #1098

For Minnesota residents looking to embark on an authentic, challenging, and profoundly rewarding wilderness experience, BWCA Campsite #1098 offers a quintessential slice of the North Woods. Located on the beautiful and expansive Fourtown Lake, this designated site is part of the vast Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the Superior National Forest. It is not a roadside campground, but a remote, paddle-in location reserved for one group at a time, emphasizing solitude and self-reliance.

Campsite #1098 serves as a prime basecamp for those exploring the central chain of lakes accessible from the Ely area, making it a popular destination for both first-time BWCA visitors and seasoned paddlers. The environment here is rugged and pristine, characterized by towering pine and spruce, rocky shorelines, and the clear, deep waters of Fourtown Lake. Visitors must secure a quota permit, adhere to strict regulations—including the prohibition of cans and glass bottles—and commit to the foundational "Leave No Trace" principles to preserve this irreplaceable wilderness for generations of Minnesotans to come.

Location and Accessibility: Deep in Northeast St. Louis County’s Canoe Country

BWCA Campsite #1098 is officially located within the immense wild territory known administratively as Northeast St. Louis, MN 55731, USA. More specifically, public data confirms this campsite is situated on Fourtown Lake. This places it deep within the western-central BWCAW region, typically accessed via entry points near Ely, often referred to as the gateway to the Boundary Waters.

The journey to Campsite #1098 typically begins at a popular entry point such as Entry Point #23 (Mudro Lake) or, potentially, other access points along the Echo Trail west of Ely. Reaching the site involves navigating a system of interconnected lakes and rivers, necessitating several portages—the physical carrying of canoes and gear over land between waterways. This is a paddle-in/paddle-out experience; there are no roads or motorized access points directly to the campsite, ensuring a quiet, unconfined wilderness journey.

Paddlers arriving late in the day often report the challenge of finding an open campsite on this popular lake, which is a testament to the site’s desirable location on Fourtown. Its position within the southern half of the lake, as mentioned in visitor notes, suggests it’s well-placed for onward travel to other renowned lakes or as a comfortable layover spot on longer canoe routes. Accessibility, therefore, is directly proportional to a group's portaging stamina and navigational skills, promising genuine isolation to those who make the effort.

Services Offered: Essential Wilderness Infrastructure

As a federally managed wilderness campsite, BWCA Campsite #1098 provides core, utilitarian infrastructure designed to manage human impact while ensuring a primitive camping experience. The services are minimal, requiring full preparedness from all visiting groups.

Wilderness Latrine: Every designated BWCA campsite, including #1098, includes a pit toilet, often referred to as a "biffy." This simple structure is placed a significant distance from the lake and the main camp area to protect water quality and promote decomposition. Visitors must ensure only human waste and toilet paper are deposited.

Steel Fire Grate: A permanent, metal fire grate is provided at the main cooking/fire area. Campfires are only allowed within these Forest Service-approved grates, significantly reducing the risk of wildfires and minimizing soil scarring. Only dead and downed wood, collected away from the immediate campsite, may be burned.

Designated Tent Pads: Campsite #1098 is noted to have a generous amount of space, accommodating up to the maximum group size of nine people and four watercraft. Visitors will find several cleared and leveled areas—sometimes referred to as tent pads—suitable for pitching tents, concentrating wear and tear in specific locations.

Natural Water Access: The site offers a designated landing area for canoes, typically a natural, rocky, or small-pebble shoreline. Water for cooking and drinking must be sourced from the lake and filtered, boiled, or chemically treated, as no potable water is provided.

The philosophy of the BWCAW means that "services" are intentionally limited to maintain the area’s untrammeled nature. Visitors are their own guides, cooks, and custodians of the site.

Features / Highlights: Space, Scenery, and Central Route Access

Campsite #1098’s popularity is largely driven by its desirable physical characteristics and its strategic location on Fourtown Lake.

Ample Space for Large Groups: Unlike smaller or more overgrown sites, #1098 is described by past visitors as a "Nice site. Plenty of space." This is a major highlight, especially for larger groups of friends or family (up to nine people) who need room for multiple tents and a functional kitchen setup.

Excellent Views: Campsites on Fourtown Lake often feature dramatic views of the surrounding boreal forest and the lake itself. The photos from the site show a pleasant kitchen area and serene lake vistas, providing a classic Minnesota wilderness backdrop for your trip photography.

Central Route Location: Fourtown Lake is connected by portages to many other key lakes in the region, including the popular Horse and Mudro Lakes. This makes #1098 an ideal central hub for day trips or as a key overnight stop on a larger loop route, minimizing paddling time for subsequent days.

Good Paddling and Fishing Opportunities: Fourtown Lake is known for its excellent paddling waters and provides access to quality fishing for species like Northern Pike and Walleye, adding a rewarding recreational dimension to the camping experience.

Contact Information: Securing Your BWCA Permit

The "contact information" for Campsite #1098 directs users to the administrative offices responsible for issuing the mandatory permits necessary to enter and camp in the BWCAW.

Address: Northeast St. Louis, MN 55731, USA (General geographical reference to the Superior National Forest area.)

Official Permitting Body:

Permit Reservations: All overnight permits (May 1 - September 30) for this area must be reserved through the official U.S. Forest Service system. Permits specify the group leader, entry date, and the specific entry point—likely one associated with the Ely/Kawishiwi Ranger District—not the individual campsite number.

Local Ranger District (for permit pickup, maps, and local information): Kawishiwi Ranger District, 1393 Hwy 169, Ely, MN 55731.

Phone: Kawishiwi Ranger District (Superior National Forest): (218) 365-7600. This is the official contact for current wilderness conditions, safety information, and regulations. Note that once inside the wilderness area, cellular service is non-existent.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Local Minnesotans

BWCA Campsite #1098 on Fourtown Lake is uniquely suitable for local Minnesotans because it embodies the quintessential Minnesota canoeing trip. It is accessible via the popular and well-known routes near Ely, a town steeped in outfitting and wilderness culture. This makes the logistical planning—from securing an outfitter to arranging the tow or shuttle—familiar and easy for residents of the state.

For those looking for an intermediate challenge, Campsite #1098 is positioned deep enough into the wilderness to offer genuine solitude, but often close enough to main routes to be manageable for a three-to-five day trip. It is the perfect blend of true wilderness experience and reasonable access, providing a spacious and beautiful home base for local families and friend groups to unplug, bond, and participate in the cherished regional tradition of paddling the Boundary Waters. Choosing #1098 means choosing a site that delivers the storied isolation and rugged beauty that define a true Minnesota adventure.