BWCA Campsite #1586, Ely, MN

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota residents, the call of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is strong, representing the purest form of our state’s outdoor heritage. As local users plan their annual trips, they often rely on numbered campsites like BWCA Campsite #1586, reportedly located on the vast and popular Basswood Lake near Ely. However, local knowledge and current wilderness user reports indicate a critical piece of information: Campsite #1586 is widely believed to be a non-existent or decommissioned location, despite appearing on some historical or older maps.

The U.S. Forest Service, which manages the BWCAW, periodically removes or adds designated campsites to protect sensitive areas and restore the wilderness character. The campsite numbering system is meant to guide visitors, but specific sites can change over time. In the case of #1586, multiple trip reports from seasoned paddlers confirm that, while a location may be marked on some maps, there is no established, legal campsite at that specific location. For Minnesotans planning a safe and legal trip into Basswood Lake—an area renowned for its excellent fishing and its unique allowance for limited motorboat use (up to 25 HP) in the southern bays—it is vital to have the most up-to-date information on designated camping spots. Relying on an unverified or removed site like #1586 could leave your group without a legal place to stay in a highly-trafficked zone.

This article serves as a professional advisory and a guide for local users, focusing on the broader context of camping in the area surrounding this potentially missing site, particularly the neighboring, viable campsites in Pipestone Bay.

Location and Accessibility

The campsite number #1586 places it geographically on Basswood Lake, typically in the Pipestone Bay or Jackfish Bay area. Basswood Lake is a massive body of water straddling the U.S./Canadian border and is one of the premier fishing destinations in the BWCAW. It is most frequently accessed through the Fall Lake Entry Point (#24) or the Moose Lake Entry Point (#25), both serviced from the gateway community of Ely, MN 55731. The route via Fall Lake involves two straightforward portages into Newton Lake and then into Pipestone Bay.

Accessibility to the general area where #1586 would be located is considered moderate. The key feature for this region is the allowance of motors up to 25 horsepower in the southern and eastern portions of Basswood Lake. This motor access makes the journey significantly easier for groups carrying large amounts of gear or those intending to basecamp for an extended period. The surrounding area is known for:

Proximity to other highly-rated, viable campsites (e.g., #1583, #1587, #1589, #1604).
Easy day-trip access to the historic and natural wonder of Basswood Falls (a non-motorized zone).
Location within a major hub for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass fishing.

While the specific location of #1586 may not host a camp, local users are advised to plan multiple backup sites among the verified, established campsites nearby to ensure compliance with wilderness regulations and a secure overnight stay.

Services Offered

As a designated BWCAW location (or historically designated), the expected "services" would be primitive and strictly adhered to the Leave No Trace principles required throughout the wilderness area. It is crucial for local users to remember that if a site is decommissioned or non-existent, no services whatsoever are offered, and camping there is illegal.

For nearby, established Forest Service campsites in Pipestone Bay, the standard, mandatory services include:

Permanent Steel Fire Grate: Installed by the Forest Service for safe, contained fires, subject to fire restrictions. Campers must gather only dead and downed wood.
Wilderness Latrine: A pit latrine located a short distance away from the main camp, water, and tent areas. This is strictly for human waste only—all other trash must be packed out.
Tent Pad Area: A cleared and somewhat leveled area designed to accommodate the maximum group size of nine people and four watercraft, minimizing impact on the natural ground cover.
Bear-Safe Food Storage: While no metal box is provided, the presence of suitable mature trees for hanging food packs at least 12 feet off the ground and four feet from the trunk is a necessary feature of a legal site.

Since #1586 is likely non-existent, Minnesotans must rely on adjacent, active sites, which provide these minimal but essential wilderness facilities. The lack of infrastructure—no running water, electricity, trash disposal, or cellular service—is a fundamental part of the BWCAW experience.

Features / Highlights

While the specific features of the non-existent Campsite #1586 cannot be detailed, the highlights of the surrounding Pipestone Bay area on Basswood Lake, which makes this region so popular with Minnesota locals, are numerous:

World-Class Angling: Basswood Lake holds the Minnesota state record for Northern Pike. The Pipestone Bay area offers exceptional fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass, drawing serious anglers from across the state.
Motorboat Access: The unique ability to use a motor (up to 25 HP) in this area allows for greater range and comfort, making it suitable for basecamping and day-tripping without the exhaustion of paddling against large lakes and winds.
Scenic & Remote Beauty: Basswood is known for its vast, island-dotted waters, dramatic shorelines, and classic North Woods scenery, offering stunning sunsets and the chance to see bald eagles, moose, and timberwolves.
Basecamp Potential: Nearby established campsites are highly-rated for being spacious, offering multiple tent pads, and providing great views, allowing groups to set up a comfortable camp for extended stays of a week or more.

Minnesotans seeking a trip into this specific area should focus their search and permit reservation on verified sites that share these desirable features.

Contact Information

For local users needing accurate, verifiable information on designated campsite numbers, availability, and trip regulations, direct contact with the managing Forest Service office is essential. Do not rely solely on third-party maps for campsite confirmation, especially for potentially decommissioned sites like #1586.

Address (Administrative Office):

Address: Kawishiwi Ranger District, 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731

Phone:

Phone: Contact the Kawishiwi Ranger District at 218-365-7600 for official BWCAW permit reservations, map clarification, and current operating conditions.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Basswood Lake region, where Campsite #1586 is/was located, remains a favorite destination for Minnesota locals due to its exceptional blend of wilderness access and convenience. While the non-existence of #1586 is a crucial planning detail, the wider area of Pipestone Bay is highly suitable for residents. It offers the unparalleled fishing that Minnesotans cherish, combined with the practical benefit of motor access, which appeals to multi-generational groups or those seeking to maximize their time spent at a basecamp rather than traveling. The key takeaway for locals is to use up-to-date, official Forest Service maps and secure a permit for an active, designated campsite nearby. The rugged beauty of Basswood Lake, the thrill of catching a trophy fish, and the opportunity to truly disconnect in the North Woods make this a quintessential Minnesota outdoor experience that is well worth the careful planning required to navigate its unique campsite system.