BWCA Campsite #1612, Ely, MN

Welcome, fellow Minnesotans, to an in-depth look at the quintessential Northwoods experience: a designated campsite within the world-renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). While not a typical drive-up campground with showers and electricity, BWCA Campsite #1612 is a specific, government-maintained location that represents the ultimate in genuine wilderness immersion. Located deep within the Superior National Forest, this site near the historic community of Ely, Minnesota, offers an unparalleled opportunity to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with the pristine beauty of our state's wilderness heritage.

The BWCAW is a federally protected area spanning over a million acres of lakes, forests, and rivers, and sites like #1612 are the designated havens for paddlers and adventurers. This is an environment of rugged isolation, silent waters, and star-filled nights—a place many locals consider the jewel in Minnesota’s crown. For those seeking an authentic, self-reliant camping adventure, Campsite #1612 provides the established basecamp from which to explore the surrounding waterways and forests. The entire experience is framed by the principles of "Leave No Trace," ensuring its profound beauty is preserved for generations to come.

This overview is designed to be your professional, factual guide to understanding the logistics and the unique appeal of planning a trip to this specific type of wilderness destination. It's an invitation to embrace the challenge and the profound reward of a true Northwoods journey.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #1612 is administratively located within the expansive region serviced by the Kawishiwi Ranger District in Ely, MN 55731, USA. Due to the wilderness designation, this is not a roadside attraction. There is no physical road leading directly to the site, and access is strictly limited to non-motorized means, primarily by canoe or kayak, after securing a mandatory BWCAW permit for a specific entry point.

The accessibility is one of the features that defines the experience, ensuring solitude. To reach Campsite #1612, a visitor must first check-in at a local outfitter or the official Ranger Station to obtain their required permit. From there, the journey begins at a designated Entry Point (like Entry Point 25 – Moose Lake, or similar popular access points in the Ely area) with a combination of paddling across large and small lakes and performing 'portages,' which are trails where you carry your canoe and gear between waterways. The specific lake and paddle time to reach Campsite #1612 vary based on the chosen entry route, but all require commitment, physical effort, and navigational skills. This required effort is precisely what preserves the area’s remote, tranquil nature, acting as a natural filter against casual traffic.

It is crucial for potential visitors to understand that "accessibility" here means a multi-day journey into the wilderness, not a quick stop. Visitors must be fully self-sufficient from the moment they leave the Entry Point, carrying all food, water purification methods, shelter, and safety equipment. The nearest town is Ely, a gateway community offering full outfitting and logistical support for those planning a trip into the Boundary Waters.

Services Offered

As a designated wilderness campsite within a National Wilderness Preservation System area, Campsite #1612 offers a specific, limited set of services mandated by the U.S. Forest Service to balance visitor needs with conservation principles. It is essential to manage expectations—this is rugged, self-sufficient camping.

Designated Tent Pads/Areas: The site includes naturally cleared, relatively flat areas intended for setting up tents, helping to minimize impact on the surrounding vegetation and delicate forest floor. The number of suitable pads typically varies from two to four, designed for a maximum group size of nine people and four watercraft (the maximum allowed BWCAW group size).
Wilderness Latrine: Every designated BWCA campsite is equipped with a latrine, which is a primitive pit toilet. This facility is placed well away from the main camp area and water’s edge to ensure sanitation and protect water quality. Visitors must pack out all non-human waste, including toilet paper if not biodegradable.
Steel Fire Grate: A permanent, steel fire grate is provided for all cooking fires and campfires, centralizing the impact of fire and maximizing safety. Visitors must adhere to all current fire restrictions and may only burn dead, downed wood found in the area, not cut live trees.
Established Canoe Landing: The site generally features a natural landing area—often a patch of rock, mud, or gravel—where canoes can be pulled ashore. This is usually the first indicator a paddler sees when approaching the site from the water.
Solitude and Scenery: While intangible, one of the primary "services" of this site is the guaranteed solitude and the stunning, undeveloped waterfront view. BWCA regulations ensure no two groups are within sight or sound, creating a truly private experience.

No services such as potable water, electricity, trash disposal, picnic tables, running water bathrooms, or cell service are available at the site. The preparation for these omissions is a key part of the required BWCA trip planning.

Features / Highlights

The experience at Campsite #1612, like all BWCA sites, is defined by its environment and the deep connection to nature it fosters. Customer reviews for the BWCAW consistently speak to the restorative and profound nature of the trip, far surpassing any modern amenity.

Pristine Northern Minnesota Ecology: The campsite is set amidst the classic Northwoods environment—a mix of pine, spruce, cedar, and birch forests. The surrounding waters are clean, cold, and a vital part of the interconnected web of lakes.
Exceptional Wildlife Viewing: The lack of human development means a higher likelihood of encountering true wilderness inhabitants, including common sightings of bald eagles, loons, moose, beaver, and the occasional opportunity to hear a wolf howl in the distance.
World-Class Paddling and Fishing: Campsite #1612 serves as an excellent jumping-off point for multi-day paddling loops and offers access to the excellent fishing that the Boundary Waters is known for, including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass.
Stunning Stargazing: Far removed from urban light pollution, the night sky over the BWCA is famously clear and dark, offering spectacular views of the Milky Way and constellations—a highlight frequently mentioned by visitors.
Low-Impact, Sustainable Camping: By utilizing the existing fire grate and latrine, and by strictly adhering to the "Pack It In, Pack It Out" rule, visitors actively participate in the conservation of this fragile ecosystem, leaving the site as they found it.
Unplugged Experience: The absence of cell service, Wi-Fi, and electronic noise is a major draw for Minnesotans seeking a genuine mental reset and a chance to spend quality, uninterrupted time with their group.

Contact Information

For all administrative, permit, and logistical questions regarding a wilderness trip to BWCA Campsite #1612 or any other location within the region, please contact the nearest official administrative office.

Address: 3562 E. Fall Lake Rd., Ely, MN 55731

Phone: 218-365-7600 (Kawishiwi Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service)

Please note that this is the administrative address and phone for the Ranger District that manages the area; the campsite itself is a remote wilderness location and does not have a mailing address or direct communication line. All reservations and permit information are handled through the national recreation reservation system.

Conclusion: Why this Place is Suitable for Locals

For Minnesota residents, BWCA Campsite #1612 is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it is a vital part of our state's identity and a direct link to the landscape that defines the North Star State. It offers an accessible yet challenging adventure that fosters resilience, self-reliance, and a deeper appreciation for the unparalleled natural resources right in our backyard. The BWCA is where many Minnesota traditions are born—the annual canoe trip, the first solo portage, the successful catch of a Walleye dinner cooked over a campfire.

Locals often value the area for its convenience relative to other world-class wilderness destinations and the expertise of the Ely-area outfitters, who are often fellow Minnesotans with generations of experience. The ease of driving to the gateway town of Ely makes the complex logistics of a wilderness trip manageable.

Choosing Campsite #1612 means choosing an experience that is deeply authentic, environmentally responsible, and fundamentally Minnesotan. It is a necessary pilgrimage for anyone in the region seeking true escape, adventure, and the profound peace that only the vast, silent waters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can provide. It is a place that remains preserved by federal law, ensuring that future generations of Minnesotans can continue to experience the land in its purest, most powerful form. Plan your trip, secure your permit, and prepare to discover why this corner of our state is cherished by all who call Minnesota home.