BWCA Campsite #2059

- East Cook, MN 55604

For Minnesota residents, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is not just a destination; it's an icon of the state's identity, representing the largest area of wilderness east of the Rockies and a premiere canoeing and camping sanctuary. Campsite #2059 is one of over 2,000 designated campsites scattered throughout the BWCAW's more than one million acres in the Superior National Forest. Unlike traditional drive-up campgrounds, Campsite #2059 is a true wilderness site—meaning it is accessible only by paddle and portage, requiring an entry permit and a commitment to the "Leave No Trace" ethos.

As a designated site, it offers a specific location for overnight stays, which helps concentrate impact and preserve the surrounding boreal forest. While specific information about Campsite #2059 itself, such as its exact lake or user ratings, is typically only available through detailed trail maps and community forums, its existence signifies a protected, predetermined spot for solitude and natural immersion. A trip to this location is a uniquely Minnesotan experience, demanding self-sufficiency, challenging physical effort, and rewarding visitors with profound quiet, dark skies, and an intimate connection with the land that inspired the French Voyageurs centuries ago. It is part of a system meticulously managed to maintain its primitive character, ensuring future generations can experience the expansive solitude that comes from traveling deep into the canoe country.

Preparation is paramount, as there are no conveniences, stores, or emergency services readily available. Visitors planning a trip to Campsite #2059 must secure a quota permit, adhere to strict group size limitations (a maximum of nine people), and be ready to pack in and pack out absolutely everything.

BWCA Campsite #2059 is located within the vast expanse of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which covers the northern third of the Superior National Forest. The official address provided, East Cook, MN 55604, USA, serves as a general geographic marker, placing the campsite within the wilderness area that is administered by the U.S. Forest Service's ranger districts operating out of towns like Ely, Tofte, and Cook. This specific zip code points to the general vicinity of the LaCroix Ranger District in the western part of the BWCAW, suggesting the campsite is likely situated on one of the lakes accessible from entry points near the town of Cook.

Access to Campsite #2059 is not by vehicle; it is strictly a "paddle-in" or "hike-in" destination. To reach it, visitors must first secure a BWCAW quota permit for a specific entry point in the surrounding Superior National Forest. Common entry points in the Cook/LaCroix Ranger District area include places like Trout Lake, Little Indian Sioux River, or Moose River. Once at the designated entry point, the journey to Campsite #2059 involves:

• Canoeing or kayaking across multiple lakes and waterways.
• Portaging (carrying) all gear and canoes over challenging, often rocky or muddy, wilderness trails that connect the lakes.

The total distance and difficulty of reaching Campsite #2059 depend entirely on its specific lake and the chosen entry point. This makes the accessibility a core part of the wilderness experience—a journey of challenge and self-reliance rather than simple transit. Prospective visitors must consult detailed BWCA maps to plot a precise route from their chosen entry point to the campsite number.

The BWCAW is designated as a Federal Wilderness Area, which means services are intentionally kept minimal to preserve its primitive character. Campsite #2059 adheres to this standard, offering the most basic amenities required to safely and sustainably camp in the backcountry. It is crucial to understand that "services" here refer not to commercial conveniences, but to minimal, mandatory provisions.

• Designated Tent Pads: The site will have cleared, relatively flat areas for pitching tents, helping to minimize impact on the surrounding vegetation.
• Fire Grate: Every official BWCA campsite is equipped with a steel fire grate, which is the only legal location for having an open fire (unless local fire bans are in place).
• Wilderness Latrine: The site will have a primitive, open-air box latrine, usually located a short walk away from the main camp area to separate human waste from water sources and sleeping areas.
• Natural Water Source: The adjacent lake or river serves as the sole water source. All water must be filtered, purified, or boiled before consumption.
• Canoe Landing Area: A natural shoreline area, often a small rocky or sandy spot, is used as the designated spot to land and secure canoes.

***Crucially, BWCA Campsite #2059 offers NO running water, NO electricity, NO trash receptacles (all trash must be packed out), and NO emergency communications (cell service is typically nonexistent).

Campsite #2059's highlights are defined by the natural, undeveloped splendor of the BWCAW itself. Its features are those of an uncompromised wilderness.

• Pristine Solitude: The BWCAW's strict permit system ensures low traffic, meaning visitors to Campsite #2059 can experience genuine quiet, often with a whole lake to themselves, shared only with the local wildlife.
• World-Class Star Gazing: As part of the largest certified Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, the area offers unparalleled opportunities for viewing the Milky Way and potentially the Northern Lights, unhindered by light pollution.
• Exceptional Fishing: The surrounding lakes are renowned for cold-water species like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Lake Trout, offering an authentic "catch-your-dinner" experience.
• A Canoeist’s Paradise: The vast network of interconnected lakes and portages provides unlimited route options for multi-day expeditions, allowing for a deep journey into the boreal forest.
• Wildlife Viewing: The BWCA is home to moose, black bears, bald eagles, and the iconic Common Loon, whose calls are the definitive soundtrack of a Minnesota wilderness trip.
• Unique Natural Landscape: The scenery is marked by granite bedrock, towering White and Red Pines, rugged cliffs, and craggy shorelines—a result of ancient glacial movements that carved out the thousands of lakes.

Since Campsite #2059 is not a business but a public wilderness resource, contact is handled through the administering agency.

• Administering Agency: U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest, LaCroix Ranger District (likely).
• General Area Address: East Cook, MN 55604, USA (Used for generalized location).
• Permit Reservations: Permits must be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation System (Recreation.gov).
• Phone for General Information (LaCroix Ranger District, Cook, MN): (218) 666-0020

***Note: Do not call the ranger station to reserve the campsite directly. The campsite is reserved by obtaining a specific entry point permit on a chosen date, which then allows you to occupy any available designated campsite once inside the wilderness.

For Minnesotans, a trip to BWCA Campsite #2059, or any site within this wilderness, is a perfect and essential rite of passage. It is uniquely suitable for locals because it offers a definitive, challenging, and profoundly rewarding experience of the state’s natural heritage. This is the ultimate escape from the everyday, requiring a high degree of preparation and grit that appeals to the resilient spirit often found in the North Star State. It’s an opportunity to truly unplug—to navigate by map and compass, carry everything you need on your back, and live by the rhythm of the sun and the paddle.

Furthermore, for those who value privacy, environmental stewardship, and adventure, the BWCA provides an unparalleled return on investment. The effort required to reach Campsite #2059 is rewarded with sights and sounds impossible to find in a front-country setting: the sight of the Milky Way without light pollution, the call of the loon echoing over a silent lake, and the feeling of personal accomplishment that comes from conquering a long portage. It is a place for locals to test their skills, connect with friends and family away from distraction, and reinforce their connection to Minnesota's wild, blue heart.

BWCA Campsite #2059

East Cook, MN 55604, USA