BWCA Campsite #710: The Ultimate Minnesota Canoe Country Wilderness Experience

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is the crowning jewel of the state's outdoor heritage. Campsite #710 is not a drive-up spot; it is a designated, paddle-in/portage-in wilderness campsite, deep within this one-million-acre protected national wilderness area. This site offers an experience far beyond typical camping—it’s an immersion into a roadless, non-motorized landscape shaped by ancient glaciers and defined by interconnected lakes, rivers, and portage trails.

The number '710' places this campsite within the official inventory of over 2,000 designated sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Its location near East Cook, MN, suggests an entry point along the famed Gunflint or Kawishiwi Trails, making it accessible from the state’s northeastern wilderness hubs. Unlike drive-in campgrounds in the surrounding Superior National Forest, access to Campsite #710 is strictly controlled via a daily quota permit system required between May 1 and September 30. This system ensures a low-impact, high-solitude experience, preserving the world-class serenity that defines the BWCAW. Visitors must be fully prepared, self-sufficient, and committed to upholding the strict "Leave No Trace" wilderness ethics.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #710 is located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which spans the northern reaches of the Superior National Forest, near East Cook, MN 55604, USA. Due to the site's wilderness designation, the listed address is a general geographic indicator; there is no street address for a site accessible only by watercraft and portage.

To reach Campsite #710, local users must first secure an overnight paddle permit for a specific entry point (e.g., Entry Point 50, 57, 30, or others, depending on the site’s precise lake).

The journey involves:

Securing a Quota Permit: Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through Recreation.gov, with the permit issued by an official outfitter or Forest Service Station near the chosen entry point (e.g., Ely, Tofte, or Grand Marais).
Entry Point Access: Driving to the designated BWCA Entry Point trailhead (often via paved or well-graded gravel roads).
Water Travel: Paddling and portaging a route of varying length and difficulty into the BWCAW until the specific lake containing Campsite #710 is reached. This can take several hours, or even a full day or more, depending on the entry point distance.
Navigation: Campsite #710 is marked only by an official Forest Service fire grate and latrine. Expert map and compass skills are essential, as there are no trail signs or directional markers within the wilderness.

Services Offered

Campsite #710, like all BWCA sites, offers highly primitive, essential amenities designed to minimize human impact while maximizing the wilderness experience. Visitors must be prepared to be entirely self-sufficient in terms of food, water, and emergency communication.

The standard, non-negotiable amenities provided at this designated site are:

Steel Fire Grate: A permanent, elevated steel grate is provided for campfires and cooking, though visitors must check for current fire bans. Only dead and downed wood may be gathered and burned.
Wilderness Latrine: A simple, open-air pit toilet is located discreetly away from the campsite and water’s edge. Visitors must pack out all non-human waste (toilet paper, wipes, sanitary items, etc.) from the latrine.
Designated Tent Pads/Areas: Cleared or naturally level spots intended for tent placement to minimize disturbance to surrounding vegetation.
Water Access: Excellent shoreline access (rocky or small beach) for launching and landing canoes.
No Potable Drinking Water: There is no source of treated water. All water must be sourced from the lake or river and filtered, purified, or boiled before use.
No Garbage Service: The mandatory rule is "Pack It In, Pack It Out." No trash receptacles are provided, and burning trash is strictly illegal. All refuse must be packed out, including food scraps.
No Motorized Access: The BWCAW is primarily a paddle-only wilderness; motorized equipment is strictly prohibited on the vast majority of lakes, ensuring a quiet experience.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #710 is not defined by luxury, but by the extraordinary quality of its natural environment, offering a pristine wilderness sanctuary unparalleled in the lower 48 states.

World-Class Fishing: The BWCAW lakes are renowned for Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass. The seclusion of a site like #710 often means excellent, unpressured angling nearby.
Unrivaled Solitude: The daily permit quota system and the physical effort required to portage into the deep wilderness ensure a low density of visitors, guaranteeing a truly quiet and secluded experience.
Stellar Night Sky Viewing: Far from any light pollution, the campsite is a perfect platform for viewing astronomical events, including the Milky Way and the Northern Lights.
Pristine Water Quality: The water is exceptionally clean, feeding the area's massive concentration of lakes and rivers. Strict regulations protect this vital natural resource.
Iconic Minnesota Wildlife: Paddlers frequently observe the state's most iconic species, including moose, bald eagles, beaver, and the haunting calls of the common loon. It's a true sanctuary for native fauna.
Geologic Beauty: The site is surrounded by the exposed granite and glaciated bedrock that characterizes the Canadian Shield, offering dramatic shoreline views and natural lookouts.

Contact Information

As a designated wilderness site, Campsite #710 does not have a direct contact phone number. All official coordination, permits, and current condition inquiries must go through the managing authority.

Address: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, near East Cook, MN 55604, USA. (Actual site reached via paddle/portage route from a designated Entry Point).

Phone: (218) 387-1750 (General number for the Gunflint Ranger District, or the district governing the site’s entry lake).

Permit Reservations: Must be secured in advance through Recreation.gov for the quota season (May 1 – September 30).

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Campsite #710, and the entire BWCAW experience, is inherently suitable for local Minnesotans because it is a touchstone of their regional identity. The challenge of a paddle-and-portage trip embodies the state's rugged, self-sufficient, and deeply nature-respecting ethos. For locals, this is more than a camping trip; it is a pilgrimage to an ancestral landscape. The commitment to obtaining a permit, planning a demanding route, and adhering to the stringent wilderness rules is a badge of honor—a testament to a shared respect for preserving one of the world's great natural areas.

Locals understand the nuances of the Boreal Forest, from safely managing a campsite around wildlife to mastering the portage—skills often passed down through generations of Minnesota adventurers. This site offers the definitive chance to shed the complications of urban life and reset in a completely pure environment, making it the ultimate destination for Minnesotans seeking true, unadulterated wilderness solitude right in their own backyard. It’s an investment in an experience that nourishes the soul and reinforces the unique connection locals have to the state’s wild Northwoods.