BWCA Campsite #2300: Your Gateway to Northwoods Seclusion in Minnesota

Introduction / Overview: Unplug and Reconnect at BWCA Campsite #2300

For Minnesota residents seeking the definitive Northwoods escape, BWCA Campsite #2300 offers an authentic, deep-wilderness camping experience. This is not your typical state park campground; it is a designated, primitive site situated within the one-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the Superior National Forest. The "2300" designation is a code used by the U.S. Forest Service to locate the site, which is highly regarded by those who have visited it for its impressive size and outstanding views.

Campsite #2300 is located on Gun Lake, a key link in a popular canoe route system in the Ely region. The journey to the site requires a commitment to paddle and portage, leaving behind motorized noise and light pollution for a truly pristine natural environment. It operates under the BWCAW's strict "Leave No Trace" policies, meaning there are no modern amenities, ensuring the preservation of its wild character for generations of Minnesotans. To camp here, a reserved Quota Permit is mandatory for all overnight trips during the peak season (May 1st to September 30th).

This particular site is often noted for being large, open, and elevated, offering a comfortable base camp for groups while providing excellent vantage points over the water. It represents the perfect combination of challenging accessibility and rewarding, unspoiled solitude that makes the BWCAW an iconic part of Minnesota’s outdoor heritage.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #2300 is located on Gun Lake in the Superior National Forest. While its postal address falls under Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA, this is a wilderness address, and the site is reached exclusively by paddle and portage.

The most common access route to Gun Lake, and thus Campsite #2300, is through Entry Point 23 - Mudro Lake, which is found along the scenic Echo Trail near Ely. The journey involves navigating Mudro Lake and several connecting waterways, requiring multiple portages—the act of carrying your canoe and gear overland between bodies of water. The portages on this route can be challenging, ranging from short to medium distances, which helps regulate traffic and maintain the wilderness quality of the inner lakes.

The nearest major hub for vehicle parking, outfitting services, and permit pick-up is the town of Ely, Minnesota, which is approximately 19 miles from the Mudro Lake Entry Point station. The effort required to reach Campsite #2300 is part of the adventure, ensuring that upon arrival, visitors are fully immersed in the quiet solitude of the deep woods. The site’s location on Gun Lake places it strategically on a popular loop, allowing groups the option to set up a base camp or continue on deeper into the famed Fourtown, Horse, and Jackfish Bay areas.

Services Offered

The services at BWCA Campsite #2300 are purposefully minimal, dictated by the BWCAW’s mission to preserve primitive wilderness. Visitors must arrive fully prepared to be self-sufficient, following strict conservation guidelines:

A designated Steel Fire Grate for building controlled campfires, the only legal place to build a fire for cooking and warmth.
Multiple large, relatively flat, and cleared Tent Pads that are capable of accommodating a maximum-sized BWCA group (9 people/4 watercraft), helping to prevent vegetation damage.
A single, secluded Wilderness Latrine (primitive box-style toilet) set far back from the campsite and the shoreline for sanitary waste disposal.
A natural, designated Canoe Landing Area, often a rocky or gravel beach area, for docking watercraft.

Essential services that are not provided include electricity, running water (all water must be filtered or treated from the lake), trash disposal (all refuse must be packed out), and cell service, ensuring a complete break from modern life. Local Minnesota outfitters provide rental equipment and detailed guidance to ensure groups can successfully meet all wilderness requirements.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #2300 is repeatedly highlighted by travelers for a number of attractive features that contribute to a high-quality camping experience:

Outstanding Western Views: The site is positioned to offer fantastic sunset views over Gun Lake, a feature frequently noted in visitor reviews and a major draw for photographers and those seeking to relax by the water.
Spacious and Open Layout: Described as "huge and wide open," the campsite offers ample space for a large group to spread out, set up separate kitchen and sleeping areas, and hang multiple tarps, providing excellent protection from the elements.
Multiple Tent Options: The site boasts several high-quality, level tent pads, making it highly versatile and comfortable for longer stays.
Superior Landing: The landing area is often praised for being highly usable, sometimes featuring a solid rock shelf or a small beach area that makes the task of loading and unloading canoes easier than at more rugged sites.
Easy Access to Popular Route: Its location on Gun Lake places it at a hub, offering quick access to portages that lead to other popular lakes and fishing spots, allowing for rewarding day trips.
Breezy Location: The open, elevated nature of the campsite often provides a welcome breeze, which can be effective at keeping biting insects at bay during the bug season, a key comfort feature in the Northwoods.

Contact Information

For securing a permit and obtaining current information about BWCA Campsite #2300 and the surrounding wilderness area, please contact the managing government entity:

Official Managing Authority: U.S. Forest Service - Superior National Forest - Kawishiwi Ranger District

Address for Inquiry/Permit Office: 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731

Phone for Inquiry: (218) 365-7600

Note: Overnight permits for the BWCAW must be reserved in advance through the federal Recreation.gov system, as day-of permits are extremely limited. Direct contact with the Ranger District is recommended for trip planning advice and regulation updates.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

The journey to BWCA Campsite #2300 offers a Minnesota experience that goes far beyond a simple vacation; it is a vital part of the state's cultural connection to nature. For locals, this site’s challenging yet rewarding location on Gun Lake provides the ultimate opportunity to truly escape the demands of the modern world.

This region is an immense, globally recognized wilderness area that is geographically accessible to the majority of Minnesotans. By choosing the BWCAW, locals are embracing a tradition passed down through generations—a chance to experience the very lakes carved by glaciers that define the state's landscape. The self-guided nature of the trip, the required portaging, and the reliance on fundamental outdoor skills instill a sense of pride and competence unique to Northwoods travelers.

Furthermore, in a state that values its conservation efforts, visiting a primitive site like #2300 is a direct way to support the preservation of the largest federally protected wilderness area east of the Rockies. It provides unparalleled fishing, wildlife viewing, and the restorative power of silence and dark skies. For any Minnesotan looking for a deep, meaningful, and distinctly "Up North" adventure, Campsite #2300 on Gun Lake represents an essential destination, delivering the kind of unspoiled solitude that can only be found in the heart of the Boundary Waters.