BWCA Campsite #850 on Alton Lake: Accessible Wilderness Basecamp in Minnesota

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans looking to immerse themselves in the world-renowned beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), BWCA Campsite #850 on Alton Lake offers a highly accessible and memorable overnight destination. Located within the Superior National Forest and administered through the Tofte Ranger District in Schroeder Township, MN, this site serves as an ideal basecamp for groups and families taking their first or fiftieth trip into the wilderness. While the BWCA is known for its rugged, untouched nature, Campsite #850 is notable for its unique, almost civilized structural feature: a staircase leading up from the water's edge.

Alton Lake is a significant waterway that acts as a popular crossroads for paddlers, largely due to its close proximity to the Sawbill Lake Entry Point (#38). Campsite #850 is situated on the eastern shoreline, making it a logical and convenient first-night stop for those prioritizing shorter travel days. This site is consistently noted in local trip reports for its fine views, especially looking out over the south end of the lake, and for offering a solid, elevated space for setting up a comfortable wilderness camp. It provides an excellent gateway experience, balancing the required discipline of wilderness camping with a relatively quick and easy entry from the popular outfitting area.

In a wilderness where every campsite is a precious commodity, Campsite #850 provides a dependable and scenic location to unplug and embrace the solitude and challenge of Minnesota's most treasured natural area.

Location and Accessibility

BWCA Campsite #850 is located on Alton Lake, specifically on the eastern shore, placing it in a prime position for quick access. The official address is within the Superior National Forest, Schroeder Township, MN 55604, USA, but as a designated wilderness site, vehicular access is not permitted.

The site's accessibility is excellent by BWCA standards, as it is the third campsite south of the easy 30-rod portage connecting Sawbill Lake to Alton Lake. Sawbill Lake itself is the endpoint of the Sawbill Trail (County Road 2), making the Entry Point (#38) one of the most popular and easiest to reach from Minnesota's North Shore region. After checking in and paddling across Sawbill, the short and famously easy portage into Alton Lake makes the rest of the journey to Campsite #850 a relatively short paddle south. This route is highly desirable for groups with less portaging experience or those seeking a manageable first day of travel.

While the campsite's landing itself presents a unique challenge—the path features large boulders and a structural stairway—it offers a secure tie-up spot. The overall proximity to a major outfitter and entry point ensures that assistance, if needed, is theoretically closer than in deeper wilderness regions. However, visitors must remember that once on Alton Lake, they are still deep within a federally protected wilderness area and must be entirely self-sufficient.

Services Offered

As a designated wilderness campsite, Campsite #850 adheres to strict United States Forest Service (USFS) regulations. Services are minimal and intended solely to concentrate impact and preserve the pristine nature of the surrounding area. Visitors should arrive prepared to manage all needs related to food, hygiene, and shelter themselves.

Wilderness Latrine: The site is equipped with a single, dedicated latrine (often referred to as 'The Box'). This primitive, pit-style facility is located discreetly away from the camp area, tent pads, and the shoreline to minimize environmental impact.
Permanent Fire Grate: A steel fire grate is provided at the designated fire area. All fires must be contained within this grate. Visitors are responsible for finding and preparing dead and downed firewood.
Designated Tent Pads: The campsite features multiple areas suitable for pitching tents (reported to be three primary pads). These elevated areas are intended to prevent erosion and vegetative damage, providing level ground for sleeping.
Non-Potable Water Access: Water is drawn directly from Alton Lake. Due to wilderness regulations, this water must be boiled, filtered, or chemically treated before it is safe for drinking or cooking.
Leave No Trace: There are no trash disposal services. All waste, including micro-trash, must be carefully packed out by the visitors. Visitors are expected to rigorously follow all Leave No Trace principles.
Bear Safety: No public food storage lockers are provided. All food and scented items must be properly stored and secured, either by hanging in a bear bag system or by using a certified bear-resistant container, kept at least 100 feet from all sleeping areas.

Features / Highlights

BWCA Campsite #850 is distinguished by several key features that make it a favorite for many local paddlers:

The Unique Stairway Landing: The site's most recognizable feature is the structural "stairway" leading up from the rocky/bouldered landing area to the main camping area. While it requires care during unloading, it offers a secure entry point and lifts the main camp area to a desirable elevation.
Elevated Camp Platform: The main campsite area sits on a wide, open, and elevated platform above the lake. This positioning often provides excellent drainage and an enhanced feeling of seclusion and spaciousness.
Scenic Southern Vistas: The location on the eastern shore provides "Fine views of the south end of Alton Lake." This orientation is excellent for enjoying the vastness of the lake and offers unique light conditions for photography, particularly in the morning and early afternoon.
Multiple Tent Areas: The site is rated to have three distinct tent pads, allowing groups to spread out comfortably and maximize privacy within the campsite, an important consideration for larger parties.
Proximity to Sawbill Entry: As one of the closest available campsites on Alton Lake, it offers a quick escape into the wilderness, minimizing the travel time required on the first and last days of the trip.
Ideal Fishing Base: Alton Lake itself is a clear, large lake known to hold Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Campsite #850's location provides a good starting point for exploring the lake's rock piles and deeper sections.

Contact Information

BWCA Campsite #850 is a designated wilderness site requiring a mandatory permit for overnight stays during the quota season. All administrative inquiries should be directed to the overseeing USFS District Office or the local entry point cooperator.

Address (General Ranger District Contact):

Tofte Ranger District Office (Manages the Alton Lake Area)

P.O. Box 2159

Tofte, MN 55615

Phone (Tofte Ranger District Office):

218-663-8060

Permits: Overnight permits for this section of the BWCAW are reserved through Recreation.gov under Entry Point #38 (Sawbill Lake). Note that permits are lake-specific for the entry point but campsites are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis within the wilderness.

Local Outfitter/Resource:

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters (Closest Outfitter to Entry Point #38)

7611 Sawbill Trail, Tofte, MN 55615 (for GPS reference to the Entry Point)

218-663-7150

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For local Minnesotans, Campsite #850 is an excellent fit for the regional tradition of the Boundary Waters canoe trip. Its location near the Sawbill Trail makes it one of the most accessible true wilderness campsites in the entire BWCA system. This convenience is crucial for minimizing drive and paddle time, allowing for shorter, yet still deeply satisfying, wilderness breaks—perfect for a long weekend escape from the Twin Cities or Duluth.

The site's relative closeness to the Entry Point, combined with its spacious and elevated setting, makes it particularly suitable for introducing new generations of Minnesotans—be it children or friends new to paddling—to the unique beauty and rules of the BWCA. The short portage into Alton and the quick paddle to the site ease the initial shock of wilderness travel. Once settled, the fine lake views and multiple tent pads provide a rewarding, comfortable base from which to fish Alton Lake or take day trips deeper into the surrounding forest. Campsite #850 delivers an unforgettable, high-quality, and structurally unique slice of Minnesota's iconic wilderness heritage.