BWCA Campsite #704

- East Cook, MN 55604

For seasoned Minnesota adventurers and those aspiring to a true wilderness experience, BWCA Campsite #704 offers an authentic taste of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This is not a typical drive-up campground; it is a designated, single-party overnight site accessible only by canoe and portage. Located on Alder Lake, this site is an integral part of the Gunflint Trail’s vast network of pristine waterways and boreal forest. The BWCAW, managed by the Superior National Forest, is a federally protected wilderness area, which means visitors must adhere to strict 'Leave No Trace' principles and obtain a permit for overnight stays, ensuring the preservation of its primitive character.

Campsite #704 is one of several designated camping spots along the north shore of Alder Lake. As is standard for BWCA sites, it provides only the most basic, permanent amenities to minimize environmental impact. This is where Minnesotans come to completely unplug, relying on their own skills for navigation, water purification, and survival. It represents the pinnacle of backcountry recreation in the region, promising unparalleled solitude, dark skies, and an immersive connection to the natural world that few other places in the continental United States can match. The journey to the site is as rewarding as the destination itself, involving a paddle-and-portage route from a designated entry point off the famed Gunflint Trail.

BWCA Campsite #704 is situated on the north shoreline of Alder Lake, deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which falls under the administrative region near East Cook, MN 55604. While this zip code is often associated with the general area, the site’s true location is a wilderness interior destination, not a roadside stop.

Accessing Campsite #704 requires meticulous planning, as all entry to the BWCAW is strictly regulated by an Entry Point Quota Permit system:

• Entry Point: The most common routes to Alder Lake are via Entry Points 64 (East Bearskin Lake) or 47 (Lizz and Swamp Lakes), or potentially 48 (Meeds Lake), all of which are accessed from the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais.
• Transportation: The journey begins with driving the scenic, but often long, Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). From the entry point parking lot, travel is exclusively by canoe/kayak and by foot during portages.
• Paddle-in Requirement: Campsite #704 is a paddle-in site, meaning all gear must be portaged across land trails (carrying canoe and pack) and then paddled across several lakes to reach Alder Lake and the specific site on the north shore. This ensures the deep wilderness character of the experience.

Because of the rigorous travel requirements, including paddling open water and physically demanding portaging, this location is best suited for Minnesotans who possess moderate to expert canoeing and orienteering skills. The isolation is profound, and cellular service is nonexistent, necessitating comprehensive preparation and self-reliance.

In keeping with its status as a designated wilderness campsite within the BWCAW, Campsite #704 is managed to be as primitive as possible. The concept is minimal impact, meaning the site provides only essential structures required by law and for environmental protection, but no 'comfort' amenities.

• Fire Grate: A permanent, steel fire grate is provided at the site. Fires must be built exclusively within this grate to prevent forest fires and scarring the landscape. Campers must adhere to current fire restrictions, which are common in the dry summer months.
• Wilderness Latrine: A rustic, open-air pit toilet, commonly referred to as a "thunderbox," is positioned a short distance from the main camp area. This is the only acceptable means of human waste disposal. Campers must supply their own toilet paper.
• Designated Tent Pads/Area: Although not explicitly marked pads, the site features a few minimally developed, flat areas intended for tent setup. Using these spots concentrates impact and protects the surrounding forest floor from long-term damage.

It is important to emphasize what is not offered: there is no drinking water (all water must be filtered or treated from Alder Lake), no electricity, no trash disposal (all refuse, including food scraps, must be packed out), and no campground host or staff on site.

The true highlights of BWCA Campsite #704 are the intrinsic qualities of the wilderness that a developed campground simply cannot replicate.

• Genuine Solitude: As a single, designated campsite accessed only by permit, visitors are guaranteed privacy and quiet. The experience is about hearing loons and wind, not car doors or generators.
• Lakefront Views on Alder Lake: Situated on the north shore, the campsite likely offers scenic views across the clear waters of Alder Lake, perfect for watching sunrises or sunsets over the water.
• Excellent Base Camp for Exploration: Alder Lake provides access to several portages and other lakes (such as Canoe Lake and East Bearskin Lake), making #704 a superb base camp for multi-day loop trips.
• Exceptional Stargazing: Deep within the BWCAW, the lack of light pollution provides some of the darkest night skies in North America, offering spectacular opportunities for viewing constellations and celestial events.
• True North Woods Ecology: The area is rich in wildlife, including the possibility of seeing moose, various bird species, and enjoying the calls of the native Common Loon, an iconic symbol of Minnesota.

Direct contact for this wilderness site is administered through the U.S. Forest Service offices responsible for the BWCAW permits.

• Administering Agency: U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest.
• Permit Reservations: Via Recreation.gov (Search for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the relevant Entry Point).
• General Ranger District (Closest to Access): Gunflint Ranger District.
• Address (District Office): 2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604. (Note: This is the office address, not the campsite location).
• Phone for Permit/Regulation Inquiries: Contact the Gunflint Ranger District Office. (Specific phone numbers are available on the Superior National Forest website).

***All overnight trips to Campsite #704 require an official BWCAW Permit, which must be reserved in advance, especially for summer travel. The campsite number itself (#704) is used for orientation and site location but does not guarantee an empty site; it is first-come, first-served once inside the wilderness boundary.

BWCA Campsite #704 is uniquely suitable for Minnesota locals because it aligns with and fulfills the region's deep-seated passion for wilderness paddling and minimalist camping. Minnesotans view the BWCAW as a cherished resource—a rite of passage and a true escape from modern life. Unlike visitors from outside the state who may be overwhelmed by the lack of amenities, locals are often prepared and eager for the challenge.

This campsite specifically offers a destination where a local's canoeing and portaging skills are put to good use, rewarding their effort with an unmatched level of peace and natural beauty. It reinforces the ethos of conservation and self-reliance that is a key part of the Minnesota identity. For a resident looking to truly "get away" and engage with the environment on its own terms, Campsite #704 on Alder Lake is an unforgettable, humbling, and quintessential Minnesota experience. It is where one goes to remember what "The North" truly means.

BWCA Campsite #704

East Cook, MN 55604, USA