BWCA Campsite #656: Your Ultimate Wilderness Retreat on the Border Lakes

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans seeking the pinnacle of wilderness immersion, few destinations compare to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). BWCA Campsite #656 is a notable example of the kind of remote, highly-rated basecamp that makes this area so legendary. Located in the northern reaches of the Superior National Forest, this site is not a conventional roadside campground but a designated backcountry location accessible only by paddle and portage, requiring careful planning and a BWCA entry permit.

While the specific waterbody for Campsite #656 can vary based on the official mapping system at any given time, the general location near East Cook, MN, places it firmly in the celebrated border-lakes region—an area known for its rugged topography, vast, interconnected waterways, and supreme solitude. This campsite is frequently mentioned in trip reports from the Magnetic Lake and Larch Creek entry points, suggesting a location often associated with Clove Lake or Gneiss Lake, deep within the wilderness corridor.

User reviews consistently rank campsites in this area with high praise, often mentioning their excellent features and the true sense of escape they offer. The site is an official, numbered location, meaning it is maintained to specific Forest Service standards for minimal-impact camping. It provides the essential, primitive amenities required to support an incredible multi-day canoe or kayak trip, ensuring that visitors can fully embrace the rugged beauty and quiet introspection that define the Boundary Waters experience. For local paddlers, reserving a stay at a site like #656 represents the ultimate challenge and reward of Minnesota’s wilderness heritage.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #656 is geographically situated in East Cook, MN 55604, placing it within the vast one-million-acre expanse of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The key to understanding this site's location is recognizing its context as a wilderness camping spot. It is not reached by car but by watercraft, typically following a route that begins at a designated Entry Point (EP). Common entry points for this sector of the BWCAW include Magnetic Lake (EP 57) or Larch Creek (EP 80), which are accessed via the Gunflint Trail corridor north of Grand Marais.

Accessibility is determined by the effort of portaging and paddling. A journey to Campsite #656 will involve navigating a series of lakes and rivers, carrying canoes and gear over established portage trails between water bodies. This is a multi-hour or even multi-day paddle, depending on the chosen route and the starting EP. The experience is intentionally challenging, meant to preserve the wilderness character of the area by ensuring low visitor density.

Many of the highly-rated sites in this area, including island sites that may correspond to this number, are highly sought after precisely because of their secluded nature and the stunning water views. Therefore, successful access requires securing a mandatory, time-sensitive quota permit through the Forest Service in advance, which grants permission to enter the BWCAW at a specific Entry Point on a specific date. This controlled access system is what guarantees the high-quality wilderness experience Minnesotans value.

Services Offered

Campsites within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, including Campsite #656, are primitive and designed to meet the strict "Leave No Trace" principles of a federally designated wilderness area. The focus is on providing necessary infrastructure to concentrate impact and protect the surrounding environment. Services offered at this, and all designated BWCA campsites, are essential and include:

Designated Tent Pads: Established, relatively level areas cleared for setting up tents, helping to minimize vegetation damage and protect the root systems of mature trees.
Wilderness Latrine: An open-air pit toilet, sometimes referred to as a "thunderbox," located discreetly away from the main camp and water source for proper human waste disposal.
Fire Grate: A heavy-duty, iron fire grate provided by the Forest Service is the only legal place to build a fire for cooking or warmth, helping to prevent wildfires and limit the scarring of the landscape.
Water Access: A landing area or shoreline access point for watercraft (canoe or kayak). The lake itself serves as the water source; all water must be treated (boiled, filtered, or chemically purified) before drinking.
Limited Group Size: The use of the campsite is strictly limited to one group of no more than nine people and four watercraft, ensuring the site is not overcrowded and that a sense of solitude is maintained for all users.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #656, based on local reports of high-quality sites in its likely area, offers features and highlights that make it a premier choice for experienced wilderness travelers:

Island Solitude (Likely): Many of the best-rated sites in the border-lakes region are located on islands (such as on Clove or Gneiss Lake), which offer natural privacy, outstanding views from all sides, and better wind protection from insects.
Excellent Views and Sun Exposure: Sites in this area are often praised for their beautiful views of the lake, offering stunning sunset vantage points and south-facing, gently sloping rocks ideal for lounging, loading gear, and drying wet items.
Abundant Hammocking Trees: User notes for similar sites frequently mention "many good hammocking trees" (like mature cedar and spruce), adding a layer of comfort and flexibility to the camping setup.
Good Fishing Opportunities: The lakes near this location, especially those associated with the Granite River and its chain, are renowned for excellent fishing for species like Walleye and Lake Trout, providing a fantastic recreational activity right from the campsite.
Natural, Rock-Lined Shoreline: The landing areas are often described as easy and gentle, featuring sloping rocks that provide an ideal spot for taking out and putting in watercraft, as well as accessing the water for swimming (where depth allows).

Contact Information

Direct contact for a specific BWCA campsite is not possible. All logistics, permits, and rules are managed by the U.S. Forest Service through the Superior National Forest and its local Ranger Districts.

Address: Superior National Forest, East Cook, MN 55604 (General area for the permit-issuing Ranger District).

Phone: (218) 387-1750 (Gunflint Ranger District Office – the most likely authority for the eastern BWCA section).

Note: All overnight visitors from May 1 to September 30 must secure a quota permit for a specific Entry Point and Date via Recreation.gov. The address provided is an approximation of the jurisdictional area; all correspondence regarding the trip must go through the official permit-issuing station (e.g., a local outfitter or the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station) specified on the permit.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesota residents, BWCA Campsite #656 and the journey required to reach it offer a quintessential "Up North" experience. This site is particularly suitable for locals because it represents the highest tier of the state’s available wilderness adventures—it’s not for the casual visitor but for the prepared adventurer familiar with the unique demands of a canoe-based wilderness trip.

Locals appreciate the critical management that maintains the wilderness character, knowing that the strict permit system ensures the area remains pristine and uncrowded. Securing a quota permit is a rite of passage, and making the challenging paddle and portage into the East Cook region is a testament to one's commitment to low-impact outdoor recreation. The reward is a secluded, beautiful camp that feels like a true oasis. The knowledge that one is camping on a highly-rated site, potentially on a beautiful island that escaped past natural disturbances (like fires), and surrounded by the sights and sounds of the boreal forest, is a deep source of local pride. This experience is a powerful disconnect from modern life, offering the peace and natural challenge that many Minnesotans consider the heart of their outdoor tradition.