BWCA Campsite #742: Your Essential Guide to a Minnesota Wilderness Escape

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans seeking the ultimate escape into pristine nature, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in the Superior National Forest stands as an unparalleled treasure. Within this million-acre sanctuary of lakes and boreal forest lies BWCA Campsite #742, a specific, designated wilderness camping location. This is not a typical, drive-up recreational campground; rather, it represents a specific point of refuge along a vast network of paddle-and-portage routes. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, near the historic Gunflint Trail, this campsite offers a quintessential Northwoods experience defined by solitude, silence, and the rugged beauty of the Minnesota-Canadian Shield.

The designation "BWCA Campsite #742" means it is one of over 2,000 officially maintained campsites within the wilderness area, each marked with a landing area, a designated fire grate, and a wilderness latrine. Unlike commercial campgrounds, it is intentionally primitive, requiring visitors to carry in all supplies and practice strict Leave No Trace principles to protect its fragile environment. This site, like all BWCA sites, is available only to those who have secured an overnight quota permit for the appropriate entry point, ensuring a high-quality wilderness experience with minimal human impact. Preparing for a visit to a site like #742 means embracing the challenge of a true wilderness trip, complete with canoeing, portaging, and self-sufficiency, making the reward of quiet isolation all the more profound for the local adventurer.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #742 is officially associated with the general area of East Cook, MN 55604, USA, a geographical reference point for the surrounding region and the Superior National Forest. However, to understand its true location, local users must recognize that this site is deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, accessible only by water travel.

Its specific location, according to publicly available wilderness maps, places Campsite #742 on Moose Lake, a popular destination that can be reached from an entry point off the Gunflint Trail (Entry Point #25, Moose Lake). Access to the campsite is not by road. Instead, visitors must paddle their canoe or kayak across a series of lakes, potentially involving portages (carrying watercraft and gear overland) to reach Moose Lake itself.

The accessibility is thus highly dependent on human-powered travel. Visitors begin by driving to an outfitter or a designated entry point parking area in the East Cook/Grand Marais region. From there, the journey is completely non-motorized, requiring a permit to enter the Moose Lake entry quota area. Accessibility is seasonal, primarily from May through September when the lakes are ice-free, though winter camping is possible with a self-issued permit and appropriate winter gear. This challenging, water-based approach is exactly what preserves the pristine nature of the site and ensures that the peace and quiet of the Minnesota wilderness remain intact.

Services Offered

As a designated wilderness campsite within the BWCAW, Campsite #742 offers minimal "services" in the traditional sense, adhering strictly to wilderness preservation mandates. All services are intended to be basic, sustainable, and compliant with 'Leave No Trace' ethics. Local users planning a trip must understand they are expected to be fully self-sufficient.

The primary "services" available at the campsite include:

Designated Campsite Location: An official, maintained camping area to minimize human impact on the surrounding environment. All members of a permitted group must camp together at this single, designated site.
Wilderness Latrine: A rudimentary, open-air pit toilet, typically located a short walk from the main camping area, intended for human waste disposal to maintain sanitation (non-human trash is strictly prohibited in the latrine).
Steel Fire Grate: A permanently installed metal fire grate for building safe, contained campfires. Fires are only permitted within this grate and may be restricted during periods of high fire danger.
Source of Untreated Water: Access to lake water (Moose Lake) for drinking and cooking, which must be filtered, purified, or boiled before consumption. Potable water is not provided.
Limited Cleared Area: Generally features space for a few tent pads (up to the maximum group size of nine people and four watercraft), cleared enough for tents but otherwise left as natural as possible.

Features / Highlights

BWCA Campsite #742 is appreciated by experienced paddlers for its distinctive natural attributes and the wilderness experience it offers. Based on common features of highly-rated BWCA sites, its highlights are likely tied to its specific location on Moose Lake and include:

Excellent Canoe Landing: Campsites on Moose Lake often boast good landings, typically a sloped rock face or a small beach, facilitating easy take-out and put-in of canoes, which is crucial for groups beginning or ending a long travel day.
Natural Views and Exposure: Sites on larger lakes like Moose frequently offer expansive, unobstructed views of the water, making them ideal for watching sunrises, sunsets, or observing the Northern Lights, a highlight for many Minnesota campers.
Fishing Opportunities: Situated on Moose Lake, the site provides direct access to one of the BWCAW's highly-regarded fishing lakes, known for species like Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Smallmouth Bass.
Proximity to Entry Point (Relative): Being on Moose Lake, it is a common first or last-night stop for those utilizing Entry Point #25, making it a convenient base camp for deeper exploration or a welcome spot before exiting the wilderness.
Wildlife Viewing: The BWCAW is home to moose, black bears, bald eagles, and common loons. The isolation of the campsite enhances the opportunity for quiet observation of these native Minnesota species.

Contact Information

As a remote wilderness campsite, BWCA Campsite #742 does not have a public phone number or a reception desk. Contact information pertains to the administrative body responsible for the wilderness area and the necessary permits.

Address: The geographical region is East Cook, MN 55604, USA. This is the general area for the Superior National Forest and the nearest communities like Ely or Grand Marais, which host permit-issuing stations and outfitters.

For administrative contact and permit information, Minnesota users must utilize the official resources for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness:

The permit system is managed nationally by a booking platform, and locally by the US Forest Service’s Superior National Forest offices.

Phone: To inquire about permits, users typically contact the specific Forest Service Ranger District office closest to the Moose Lake entry point. General information is available via the Superior National Forest.

Local Minnesota outfitters are also a vital resource for planning and logistics. They act as designated permit-issuing stations and can provide the most current information for the specific Moose Lake entry area.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of Minnesota, BWCA Campsite #742 and its surrounding area in the Boundary Waters represent an irreplaceable natural heritage and a perfect environment for genuine immersion in the Northwoods. This campsite is suitable for local users because it offers a direct, powerful connection to the state’s rugged, canoe-country identity.

Unlike crowded state parks or typical commercial campgrounds, a trip to Campsite #742 requires a unique set of skills—canoeing, portaging, and map-and-compass navigation—that are culturally ingrained in the spirit of the Minnesota outdoors enthusiast. It offers a guaranteed, quiet, and deeply personal wilderness experience, enforced by the restrictive permit system that limits the number of people entering the area each day. This scarcity ensures the solitude Minnesotans value in their wilderness trips.

Furthermore, for those living within driving distance of the North Shore and the Gunflint Trail, the BWCA is relatively accessible for multi-day trips. It provides an immediate and profound change of pace, an opportunity to decompress from city life by trading car traffic for paddle strokes. The knowledge that they are traveling through the nation’s most popular wilderness area, preserved specifically to remain primitive, instills a sense of pride and stewardship. Camping at site #742 is more than a vacation; it is a challenging, rewarding pilgrimage to the heart of the Minnesota wilderness, an essential experience for any local user seeking to embrace their state's legendary outdoor culture. It is where one can truly appreciate the state motto, the 'Star of the North,' beneath the silent, dark skies of the boreal forest.