BWCA Campsite #1916

- Stony River Township, MN 55731

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota residents seeking the quintessential North Woods experience—a genuine escape into one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas—

BWCA Campsite #1916

offers an unparalleled opportunity. Situated deep within the expansive and magnificent

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)

, this campsite is not a typical modern campground but a designated, primitive wilderness site. The BWCAW is a federally protected wilderness area, part of the

Superior National Forest

, renowned for its million-plus acres of interconnected lakes, streams, and portages carved by ancient glaciers. Campsite #1916 represents a specific, approved location where visitors can pitch a tent, start a campfire in a provided grate, and immerse themselves completely in nature, adhering strictly to the

Leave No Trace

principles that govern this protected region. This is the true "Land of 10,000 Lakes" experience, offering solitude, challenge, and profound connection with the unspoiled environment that Minnesotans cherish.

The entire BWCAW ecosystem is dedicated to preserving its primitive character, which means every campsite, including #1916, is a rustic retreat. There are over 2,000 designated campsites across the wilderness area, and each one provides a foundation for self-sufficient wilderness travel. These sites are essential to managing visitor impact, ensuring that the beauty of the area remains intact for future generations. Understanding that a stay at Campsite #1916 requires careful planning, a mandatory permit, and a commitment to self-reliance is the first step toward a successful and rewarding adventure.

The experience here is about paddling a canoe across glassy, clean lakes, navigating portages, fishing for Walleye and Lake Trout, and simply enjoying the silence broken only by the call of a loon or the rustle of the wind through the pines. It is a place where digital noise fades and the rhythm of the wilderness takes over, making it a perfect, albeit challenging, destination for local Minnesotans looking for a profound outdoor escape.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #1916 is officially located in the broader area of

Stony River Township, MN 55731, USA

. However, for a campsite deep within the BWCAW, this address serves primarily as a general geographic marker for the nearest civil township. Accessibility to the campsite is not by road, but

strictly by watercraft

(canoe or kayak) via a designated

BWCAW entry point

and subsequent paddling and portaging across lakes and land trails.

The BWCAW extends approximately 150 miles along the international boundary with Canada, and Stony River Township is generally located in the south-central portion of the Superior National Forest area relative to the BWCA. Visitors must first secure a permit for a specific entry point, which may be many miles from Stony River Township, and then travel a pre-planned route to reach Campsite #1916. The entry point chosen—often near towns like Ely or Grand Marais—will dictate the distance, difficulty, and duration of the trip required to arrive at this specific site.

Accessibility is primitive by design. There are no paved paths, vehicle access, or shuttle services to the actual site. All gear, food, and supplies must be carried in by the group, including portaging watercraft over land trails between lakes. This ensures the integrity of the wilderness experience and mandates that visitors must be physically prepared for multi-day, self-supported travel. Maps and navigational tools are essential, as trails and routes can be minimally marked. The remote nature of this location means there is

no cell phone service

; all communication must be self-contained, often utilizing satellite communication devices for emergencies only.

Services Offered

As a designated wilderness campsite, the "services" provided are minimal, focusing on resource protection and visitor safety. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all necessary supplies, including water purification methods, cooking gear, and bear-safe food storage. Available infrastructure at Campsite #1916, consistent with the primitive nature of all BWCA campsites, includes:

• Designated Tent Pads:

  An area cleared and leveled for setting up tents, minimizing impact on the surrounding vegetation.

• Steel Fire Grate:

  A heavy-duty, permanent grate provided for containing campfires and cooking, essential for fire safety and preventing ground scarring.

• Wilderness Latrine (Throne):

  A primitive, pit-style toilet located discreetly away from the campsite and water sources for proper human waste disposal.

• Canoe Landing Area:

  A spot, often consisting of rocks or a small stretch of bank, suitable for landing and securing watercraft.

• Permit System Management:

  The site is part of the permitted system, ensuring regulated use, minimizing overcrowding, and guaranteeing a wilderness-quality experience.

Features / Highlights

The true highlights of

BWCA Campsite #1916

are its wilderness setting and the recreational opportunities inherent to the entire Boundary Waters region. This particular site will have features specific to its location on a lake or portage—such as a rocky point, a sandy beach, or a sheltered bay—but the overarching highlights define the BWCA experience:

• Unspoiled Natural Beauty:

  Access to the stunning, glacier-carved landscape of cliffs, towering pine forests, and exceptionally clear lakes that define the BWCAW.

• World-Class Canoeing & Kayaking:

  Located on a major or minor lake that is part of the 1,200+ miles of canoe routes, offering endless opportunities for exploration and travel.

• Exceptional Fishing:

  Proximity to waters teeming with game fish like Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Walleye (a valid Minnesota DNR fishing license is required).

• Prime Wildlife Viewing:

  A high probability of seeing local wildlife, including moose, black bears (requiring proper food storage), bald eagles, deer, and the iconic Common Loon.

• Dark Sky Sanctuary Status:

  The BWCAW is an internationally recognized

  Dark Sky Sanctuary

  , providing some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the country, ideal for stargazing and potential viewing of the Aurora Borealis.

• Unmatched Solitude:

  The remote nature and permit restrictions ensure a high degree of solitude, a key feature of the designated Wilderness Act.

Contact Information

Since

Campsite #1916

is a specific, remote location within a massive federal wilderness area and has no on-site staff or facilities, direct contact information is not available for the campsite itself. Visitors must coordinate through the governing body for permits and trip planning.

Primary Administrative Contact:

Superior National Forest (Administering Agency)

Address:

8901 Grand Ave Place, Duluth, MN 55808 (Administrative Office)

Phone:

(218) 626-4300

Permit Reservations:

Reservations for all BWCAW overnight permits (May 1 – September 30) are handled through Recreation.gov or via phone at

1-877-444-6777

.

Note: The given address,

Stony River Township, MN 55731, USA

, should be used only for general geographical reference and will not lead directly to the remote campsite.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesota residents,

BWCA Campsite #1916

is more than just a place to camp—it is a cherished part of the state's heritage and a true backyard wilderness playground. As a local, you understand the unique value of the BWCAW: a vast, protected area that allows one to step back from the modern world and connect with nature on its own terms. This campsite is suitable for locals because it offers an

authentic, challenging, and deeply rewarding experience

that aligns perfectly with the North Woods identity. It is a necessary counterpoint to fast-paced life, demanding preparation, self-reliance, and respect for the environment—skills often learned and valued within the Minnesota outdoor culture.

The accessibility, while physically challenging, is logistically simpler for Minnesotans who are already geographically closer to the major entry points (such as those near Ely or Grand Marais) and likely possess the foundational canoeing and camping skills required for this primitive style of travel. Furthermore, supporting the BWCAW by responsibly using its campsites like #1916 helps preserve this national treasure, which is considered a cornerstone of Minnesota's natural landscape. Choosing to camp here is not just a vacation; it is a commitment to the stewardship of the state's most revered wilderness, offering solitude that can be found almost nowhere else in the Lower 48 states.

BWCA Campsite #1916

Stony River Township, MN 55731, USA