BWCA Campsite #768

- West Cook, MN 55604

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is the pinnacle of the North Woods experience. It is a vast, protected million-acre tapestry of interconnected lakes, rivers, and portages. Within this legendary wilderness, Campsite #768 is one of over 2,000 designated, rustic camping spots—each offering a uniquely private and primitive immersion into nature. Unlike state park campgrounds, a BWCA campsite requires a permit and is accessible only by paddle and portage, ensuring that your journey is as rewarding as your destination.

While the exact lake or specific location of a numbered campsite can fluctuate slightly with mapping updates, Campsite #768 is historically and geographically associated with the northeastern section of the BWCAW, often in the vicinity of the Pine Lake Entry Point (#68) near the end of the Gunflint Trail. This area is renowned for its clear waters, rugged shoreline, and access to the Canadian border lakes. This is not a place for RVs or modern comforts; it is a space reserved for the quiet challenge of canoe country, where you are limited to nine people and four watercraft, and where the core principles of Leave No Trace govern every action. Campsite #768 offers the local adventurer a chance to disconnect completely and embrace the self-reliance that defines the ultimate Minnesota wilderness trip.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #768 is a true wilderness location, which means its accessibility is measured in paddle miles and portage rods, not driving distance. The general region is located in the northernmost part of the Superior National Forest, deep in Cook County.

The nearest logistical hub and Ranger District is the Gunflint area, north of Grand Marais. The most common route to this part of the wilderness is via:

• The Gunflint Trail (Cook County Road 12): This 57-mile scenic byway provides the primary access from Grand Marais to the numerous outfitters and entry points, including Entry Point #68 (Pine Lake), which serves as the aquatic 'gateway' to the general area where Campsite #768 would be found.
• Access Method: The campsite is strictly paddle-in. After obtaining a required quota permit for the associated entry point, visitors paddle across entry lakes (such as McFarland Lake) and navigate a series of portages (carrying canoes and gear over land) to reach the interior lakes where the site is situated.
• Address Reference: The address "West Cook, MN 55604, USA" is a placeholder for a true wilderness area. All navigation is done with a map and compass, using a planned route based on the entry point specified on the permit.

Services Offered

As a designated BWCA campsite, Site #768 offers essential, low-impact facilities designed to preserve the wilderness character of the area. Visitors should understand that “services” in the BWCA are strictly primitive and require a high degree of preparedness and responsibility.

• Designated Tent Space: The site features at least one cleared, relatively flat area for setting up tents, but groups must consolidate their tents within the site’s perimeter.
• Steel Fire Grate: A permanent steel fire grate is installed to contain campfires and minimize impact. Campers must use dead and downed wood only, collected away from the campsite, and are legally prohibited from cutting live vegetation.
• Wilderness Latrine: Each designated site includes an open-air latrine (an outhouse without a structure) for human waste management. Users must never place trash, wipes, or personal hygiene items in the latrine, as these must be packed out.
• Water Access: Water is sourced directly from the adjacent lake. All drinking, cooking, and dishwater must be treated (filtered, purified, or boiled) before consumption.
• Leave No Trace Policy: Critically, there are no trash receptacles. All garbage, food scraps, and waste must be packed out of the wilderness with the group.

Features / Highlights

The unique appeal of Campsite #768 lies in the entire BWCA experience, which prioritizes unspoiled natural beauty and the rewards of a journey earned through physical effort.

• True Wilderness Solitude: Due to the permit quota system, the site ensures a high degree of isolation. There is a strong chance of having an entire lake to yourself, a feature highly valued by Minnesota paddlers seeking genuine solitude.
• Iconic Canoe Routes: The campsite's proximity to the Gunflint Trail and lakes like Pine Lake means it is often part of a loop that includes dramatic cliffs, clear deep waters, and historic fur-trade routes along the US-Canada border.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The lakes in this region are known for excellent fishing, including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass, providing a fresh meal for those skilled enough to catch them.
• Wildlife Viewing: Being deep in the Boreal Forest, the site offers prime opportunities for viewing iconic North Woods wildlife, including moose, bald eagles, and loons. Proper food storage (bear-resistant containers or hangs) is essential.
• Pristine Star Gazing: The BWCAW is designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, offering some of the best opportunities in Minnesota to view the Milky Way and, often, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Contact Information

The management of BWCA Campsite #768 falls under the United States Forest Service, specifically the Superior National Forest’s Gunflint Ranger District. Since the campsite is a wilderness location, there is no direct phone number or on-site staff.

Address (General Area Management):

Superior National Forest, Gunflint Ranger District

2020 W. Highway 61

Grand Marais, MN 55604

Phone for Permit Information and Current Conditions:

(218) 387-1750 (Gunflint Ranger Station)

Note: All overnight trips between May 1 and September 30 require a reserved quota permit, which must be obtained in advance via Recreation.gov or through an authorized outfitter. Always confirm the nearest issuing station when booking your permit.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

BWCA Campsite #768 is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it is a gateway to the adventure most Minnesotans dream of. It perfectly encapsulates the state's outdoor identity, requiring the use of traditional skills—paddling, portaging, navigation, and wilderness ethics—that many locals take immense pride in mastering. The necessity of planning and securing a quota permit adds a layer of exclusivity, ensuring that the wilderness remains protected and uncrowded. For a Minnesota resident, making the multi-hour drive to the Gunflint Trail and paddling into the BWCA is a pilgrimage. This site offers the ideal base for multi-day loop trips, world-class fishing, and the chance to experience true silence, broken only by the cry of the loon. Choosing Campsite #768 is a commitment to the most authentic and challenging outdoor recreation the state has to offer, providing a profound sense of accomplishment and a lifetime of unforgettable memories right in their own backyard.

BWCA Campsite #768

West Cook, MN 55604, USA