BWCA Campsite #1113: Your Secluded Gateway to the North Woods in Fall Lake Township

Introduction / Overview: BWCA Campsite #1113—A True Wilderness Retreat

For Minnesota residents seeking the ultimate escape into the state’s treasured wilderness, a designated spot like BWCA Campsite #1113 represents the perfect base camp for adventure. This particular campsite is part of the extensive network managed within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a place revered globally for its unparalleled quiet and pristine, interconnected waterways. While the address "Fall Lake Township, MN, USA" indicates the general region of this northern retreat, the specific location of a numbered BWCA campsite is miles beyond the road's end, accessible only by the classic mode of North Woods travel: canoe and portage.

The experience at Campsite #1113, like all BWCA sites, is defined by self-reliance and the profound commitment to minimal impact. It is a rustic, paddle-in/portage-in location where modern amenities are exchanged for a richer, more authentic natural setting. These sites are essential to preventing environmental degradation while ensuring visitors can fully immerse themselves in the vastness of the Superior National Forest. Due to the site numbering system and its location near Fall Lake, this campsite is often on one of the high-traffic, yet highly scenic, chains of lakes—typically Lake One, Two, or Three—making it a coveted spot for those looking to maximize exploration while maintaining a comfortable base.

The BWCAW operates on a quota system, meaning that access is carefully managed to preserve the area's wilderness character. Campsite #1113 is one of over 2,000 designated sites scattered throughout the million-plus acres of the Boundary Waters. This system ensures that while the site receives regular maintenance and monitoring from the U.S. Forest Service, it offers a high degree of solitude, a key expectation for any Minnesota paddler venturing into this legally designated wilderness area. Understanding that the site itself is a feature of the wilderness—not a typical drive-up campground—is the first step in planning a rewarding trip to this region of Fall Lake Township.

Location and Accessibility: Deep in the Fall Lake Chain

The campsite falls under the jurisdiction of the Kawishiwi Ranger District, near the major gateway of Ely, and is generally accessed via one of the popular entry points in the Fall Lake Township area, such as Entry Point 24 (Fall Lake) or Entry Point 30 (Lake One). These entry points are frequently used due to their relative ease of access compared to deeper wilderness routes, although the distance required to paddle and portage to Campsite #1113 will vary greatly depending on the specific lake it is located on within the chain. Many visitors to this general area aim for a campsite that provides a balance between an efficient start and the desired level of isolation.

Accessing Campsite #1113 requires securing a Quota Permit and paddling into the designated lake. For instance, if the site is located on Lake One, the journey would begin at the Lake One entry point, which provides a relatively straightforward entry for paddlers. The initial lakes in this chain—Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three—are highly desirable because the portages (the trails connecting the lakes where canoes and gear must be carried) are often short and well-maintained. This accessibility makes a site like #1113 an excellent option for first-time BWCA visitors or for groups planning a base camp where day trips will constitute the majority of their travel. Nonetheless, reaching the site requires full commitment to the canoe-camping style—there are no roads, docks, or modern boat ramps at the actual campsite. The journey is an integral part of the experience, requiring visitors to navigate with maps and compass, adding to the feeling of authentic exploration that Minnesotans cherish in their state’s northern reaches. It is important to note that the total paddling and portaging distance can easily exceed several hours, even from the closest entry point.

Services Offered: Standard BWCA Wilderness Provisions

As a designated BWCA campsite, #1113 adheres to the same standardized, rustic infrastructure designed to support a low-impact wilderness experience. Services are minimal and functional, demanding preparedness and adherence to Leave No Trace principles. The U.S. Forest Service manages these provisions to ensure safety and environmental protection without compromising the wilderness setting.

Designated Wilderness Latrine: A pit toilet ('biffy') is provided a discrete distance from the main camp and water sources for waste disposal, ensuring sanitation is maintained in the fragile ecosystem. Users must pack out all non-human waste, including toilet paper, if the latrine is full or they are unable to locate the designated area.
Steel Fire Grate: An official U.S. Forest Service steel fire grate is permanently installed at the main cooking area. Fires are only permitted within this grate and require the use of dead and downed wood found nearby, never cutting live vegetation. This minimizes the risk of wildfires and concentrated soil impact.
Established Tent Pads: The site will feature one or more cleared, level, and well-drained areas intended for pitching tents. These pads concentrate the impact, preventing visitors from trampling new ground and preserving the surrounding forest floor. A good campsite will often accommodate 2 to 3 tents comfortably.
Canoe Landing Zone: A natural landing spot, typically a rock ledge or a gently sloped bank, is available for beaching and securing watercraft. The quality of these landings varies greatly depending on the specific lake and site. Visitors should be prepared for slippery rocks or muddy entry points, especially in varying water levels.
Durable Camp Furniture (Natural): While no constructed tables are provided, many BWCA sites feature natural log seating around the fire grate, positioned by previous campers. These should be left in place for the next group.

Features / Highlights: Basecamp Comfort and Wilderness Exploration

A campsite’s number can give seasoned veterans a clue to its appeal—Campsite #1113 is known for its position within a chain of lakes that balances accessibility with deep wilderness potential. The appeal of this specific location is often its specific geography on the water, offering advantageous views and usability.

Ideal Base Camp Location: Sites within the Lake One/Two/Three area are often used as base camps, allowing visitors to set up once and take gear-free day trips to explore surrounding bays, islands, and portage to nearby, less-traveled lakes. The central location provides excellent spokes for daily adventures.
Diverse Fishing Opportunities: Located in a region known for its plentiful waters, the proximity to a major waterway in Fall Lake Township provides excellent fishing for species such as Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Shore fishing from the campsite's landing rocks can be particularly productive at dawn or dusk.
Superb Stargazing: Being miles away from city lights, the site offers exceptional views of the night sky, a universally praised feature of the BWCA experience. The remoteness guarantees minimal light pollution, often resulting in spectacular views of the Milky Way.
Scenic Portages: The surrounding routes often feature unique terrain, from exposed granite bedrock to groves of towering pines, with some portages being short and relatively easy, perfect for the family or beginner paddler. The short portage distances in this region are a major draw.
Wind Protection and Exposure: Specific campsite features, such as those situated on a point or in a sheltered bay, will determine wind exposure, which is highly sought after by local users to keep biting insects at bay during summer months. A breezy point site also offers magnificent panoramic lake views.
Potential for Wildlife Viewing: The area is home to iconic Minnesota wildlife, including moose, black bears (requiring proper food storage), bald eagles, and the ever-present Common Loon, whose calls are the soundtrack of the BWCA.

Contact Information: Permits and Planning

As a federally regulated wilderness campsite, access is strictly controlled by permit, which must be secured in advance, especially during the busy summer quota season (May 1 to September 30). All trips start with contacting the appropriate authority for rules and reservations.

Address: The official permitting station for this area is the Kawishiwi Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service. 1393 Hwy 169, Ely, MN 55731, USA

Phone: Kawishiwi Ranger District (Superior National Forest): (218) 365-7600

Permit Information: Overnight permits must be reserved through the national reservation system. The permit holder must check in at the Kawishiwi Ranger District office or an authorized outfitter to receive the final permit and complete the wilderness orientation. Reservations are highly recommended and often required months in advance for prime summer dates.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Local Minnesotans

Campsite #1113, and the surrounding Fall Lake Township area, is exceptionally suitable for Minnesota locals for several key reasons. Firstly, the well-established access points make the initial logistics less daunting, lowering the barrier for entry into the true wilderness experience. This area is a staple of Minnesota outdoor tradition, a place where multi-generational families return year after year. For locals, the BWCA is more than just a place to camp; it is a source of regional pride and a definitive outdoor challenge.

Choosing a site like #1113 allows for the perfect balance: enough remoteness to feel the deep solitude of the North Woods, but close enough to the primary entry point to make travel manageable for a shorter trip or for those with younger paddlers. The Fall Lake region's reputation for having some of the most accessible large lakes in the BWCA makes it a practical choice for a weekend or a longer base camp stay. The certainty of a designated campsite number also allows for more confident trip planning, as you can reference maps and online resources to gauge its size, landing quality, and proximity to fishing hot spots. The ease of setting up a reliable base camp here, combined with the world-class fishing and the stunning natural scenery that defines Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region, delivers a classic, unforgettable wilderness vacation that is cherished by residents across the state. It is a chance to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the natural heritage of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."