BWCA Campsite #1564: Your Wilderness Retreat Near Ely, MN

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is one of Minnesota’s most treasured natural gems, offering over a million acres of pristine forests, glacial lakes, and secluded canoe routes. For local Minnesota adventurers seeking an authentic, remote experience, a stay at one of the wilderness's designated campsites is the ultimate goal. Among the thousands of available spots, BWCA Campsite #1564 stands out as a memorable destination, offering a unique blend of accessibility and true Northwoods seclusion just a paddle away from the gateway community of Ely.

This is not a car campground with showers and gift shops; Campsite #1564 is a designated, primitive site within the federally protected BWCAW, meaning it adheres to strict 'Leave No Trace' principles and offers a genuine, unplugged wilderness experience. It serves as a vital basecamp for multi-day canoe trips, providing a dedicated, maintained space for groups to set up their temporary home amidst the stunning Superior National Forest landscape. While its exact features can change with time and weather events (like blowdowns or fires), its fundamental promise remains: a deep, immersive connection with Minnesota's unparalleled lake country.

The number 1564 signifies a specific location designated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), ensuring that its use is managed to preserve the surrounding wilderness. Choosing a designated site like this helps maintain the fragile ecosystem by concentrating the impact of human activity. For those in Minnesota who value conservation and a profound escape from modern life, this campsite represents an opportunity to partake in a storied tradition of wilderness travel.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #1564 is situated deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is part of the vast Superior National Forest.

Address: Ely, MN 55731, USA (General Area)

It is important for local users to understand that this is a **wilderness** address, meaning you cannot drive directly to the campsite. Ely, Minnesota, serves as the main nearby gateway town and is where most visitors will obtain their required permits, gear, and outfitting services.

The specific location of Campsite #1564 is generally cited as being on Basswood Lake, a large, well-known lake straddling the U.S.-Canada border. Access typically involves entering the BWCAW through one of the designated Entry Points near Ely, such as Entry Point 24 (Fall Lake) or Entry Point 25 (Moose Lake), followed by several hours of paddling and portaging to reach the specific location.

Its situation on a significant lake like Basswood means it is often located along a main water channel, providing excellent views and a refreshing breeze, though it may experience more canoe and motorboat traffic (where allowed) than sites on smaller, more remote lakes. The journey itself—requiring a canoe, navigation skills, and a wilderness permit—is a key part of the experience, and it is highly recommended that first-time visitors utilize a local outfitter in Ely or the surrounding communities for logistics and guidance. The remote nature ensures that while the campsite is accessible to those willing to make the paddle, it remains a true sanctuary for those escaping the urban bustle of Minneapolis-Saint Paul and other populated areas.

Services Offered (Wilderness Standards)

As a designated BWCAW campsite, the "services" are intentionally primitive to maintain the wilderness character. Services are minimal and standardized across the wilderness area.

Designated Fire Grate: Each site includes a metal fire grate provided by the USFS for safe and contained campfires (subject to fire bans).
Primitive Latrine: A pit-style latrine (known as a "thunderbox") is located discreetly away from the main camp area to manage human waste effectively.
Multiple Tent Pads: The site is cleared to accommodate multiple tents, typically rated for 9 people maximum per BWCAW regulation. Campsite #1564 is noted as being large, sometimes accommodating up to eight tent pads.
Cleared Landing Area: An area on the shore for safe canoe landing and loading/unloading gear. This site is often praised for having good, easy landing areas, including south-facing, gently sloping rocks ideal for sunning or drying gear.
Established Kitchen Area: While not a structured facility, the fire grate area serves as the central cooking and gathering spot.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #1564 is generally highly rated by past visitors and is considered a prime location on Basswood Lake for several reasons:

Ideal for Large Groups: The site is described as being large and spacious, with multiple distinct areas for setting up tents, making it perfect for groups nearing the BWCAW’s maximum size limit of nine people.
Excellent Hammock Camping: Reviews frequently mention numerous mature pine and cedar trees that are well-spaced, providing superb opportunities for setting up hammocks, often separate from the tent areas.
Stunning Water Views and Sun Exposure: Positioned to face generally west-southwest, the campsite offers fantastic, unobstructed views across Basswood Lake, making it a spectacular location for viewing Minnesota's legendary wilderness sunsets.
Convenient Landing and Swimming: The landing is often noted as easy, sometimes featuring gently sloping rocks ideal for a smooth take-out, easy water collection, and excellent swimming opportunities with good drop-offs for diving.
Proximity to Fishing Hotspots: Being located on the narrows or a channel of a major lake like Basswood means it is centrally located for anglers, with good fishing often available right from the shore near the campsite.
Elevated Vantage Point: The site is often described as being slightly elevated above the lake, which not only enhances the views but also provides a nice breeze, a natural defense against bugs.

Contact Information

For information regarding permits, reservations, and general BWCAW regulations, contact the managing authority:

Address (Superior National Forest Headquarters, managing the BWCAW): 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808, USA

Phone: (218) 626-4300 (Superior National Forest)

Note: Campsite 1564 is a specific location within the BWCAW and does not have its own separate phone line or postal mail service. All reservations and essential information are handled by the USFS via their designated channels, such as Recreation.gov for permits. Local outfitting services in Ely can also provide invaluable, on-the-ground support.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesota residents, BWCA Campsite #1564 offers more than just a place to pitch a tent—it provides a deep, tangible connection to the state's iconic Northwoods identity. This is the heart of what it means to "go Up North" for a true wilderness experience. The BWCAW is an irreplaceable resource, and a trip to this specific, well-regarded campsite on Basswood Lake is a bucket-list adventure that is right in our backyard.

Its reputation for being spacious, scenic, and well-positioned for sunrises and sunsets makes it an ideal central basecamp for those wanting to spend multiple days exploring the massive Basswood Lake area. Because the journey requires paddling and portaging, it ensures a level of quiet and solitude that cannot be found in traditional state park campgrounds. Locals already familiar with Minnesota's unpredictable weather and terrain will appreciate the site's noted good landing areas and the protection afforded by the mature pines, making for a safer, more enjoyable stay.

Furthermore, utilizing this site reinforces the local commitment to preserving the BWCAW for future generations. For every Minnesotan seeking to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the rugged beauty of our state's wilderness, Campsite #1564 provides the perfect, unforgettable setting. It is a genuine, world-class outdoor experience requiring only a short drive to the entry points in Ely, making it the premier domestic destination for the ultimate canoeing and camping trip.