BWCA Campsite #939

- West Cook, MN 55604

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is the jewel of Minnesota's natural landscape, offering a million acres of unparalleled paddling, camping, and solitude. For residents of the North Star State, a trip "up North" into the Boundary Waters is a time-honored tradition—a chance to reconnect with nature in its purest form. Among the over 2,000 designated campsites, finding a true gem can make an already great trip exceptional. We focus here on BWCA Campsite #939, a popular and well-regarded site that consistently receives high praise from those who have traveled the scenic waters of Brule Lake.

This is not a drive-in park; it is a true wilderness experience. Campsite #939 provides the foundation for an unforgettable adventure, balancing essential convenience with the necessary ruggedness of a traditional canoe trip. If you are a local planner looking for a premier basecamp for your next foray into the Superior National Forest, this site should be at the top of your list.

Introduction / Overview

BWCA Campsite #939 is officially located on Brule Lake, one of the vast and beautiful bodies of water accessible via the renowned Gunflint Trail in northeastern Minnesota. Brule Lake is known for its size, which offers expansive views and is a fantastic lake for fishing and exploration. Campsite #939 is strategically placed on the western end of a large island situated approximately 0.6 miles northeast of the Brule Lake Entry Point landing (Entry Point #41). Its position, often described as being on a point or tip of the island, affords it excellent exposure and views, key factors in making it a preferred location.

Like all BWCA sites, it is user-maintained and requires an overnight quota permit for use during the mandatory permit season (May 1 through September 30). Visitors are required to adhere to strict wilderness regulations designed to preserve the area's primitive character. The consensus among BWCA enthusiasts is that this site is large, comfortable, and well-designed for a group seeking a scenic and relaxing basecamp, offering a comfortable blend of convenience and solitude once the paddle has concluded.

Location and Accessibility

The general mailing address for this wilderness area is West Cook, MN 55604, USA, which corresponds to the region managed by the Superior National Forest's Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts. However, accessing Campsite #939 involves a multi-step process typical of a BWCA trip.

The primary route to this site begins by securing an overnight permit for Entry Point #41 (Brule Lake). After driving the Gunflint Trail to the entry point, the true journey begins on the water. The site is a relatively short paddle from the official Brule Lake Entry Point, making it one of the more accessible campsites on the lake—a significant advantage after a day of traveling.

Accessibility details:

• Entry Point: Typically BWCA Entry Point #41 - Brule Lake.

• Method of Travel: Overnight Paddle Only (no motorized watercraft permitted on most of Brule Lake where the site is located).

• Navigation: The campsite is found on an island point in the western section of Brule Lake. Visitors must use official BWCA maps and traditional navigation to locate the site, as no signage marks individual campsites.

• Permitting: Required quota permits must be reserved through Recreation.gov and picked up at a designated USFS Ranger Station or authorized outfitter prior to the entry date.

Services Offered

As part of the BWCAW's commitment to a primitive experience, all designated campsites are minimally developed. Campsite #939 adheres to this standard, providing only the basic necessities required for responsible wilderness camping.

• Designated Fire Grate: A permanent, steel fire ring is provided for building campfires (when permitted) and for cooking. All users must supply their own dead and downed wood, gathered away from the immediate campsite.

• Wilderness Latrine: A dispersed, pit-style toilet structure is located a designated distance from the main camp, water, and tent pads to manage human waste hygienically.

• Cleared Tent Pads: Multiple relatively flat, cleared areas exist for pitching tents. These pads help contain impact and are often praised for being large enough to accommodate multiple sleeping structures within the maximum group size limit.

• Canoe Landing: The site features an established, albeit rugged, landing area for safely pulling canoes out of the water. Reports often mention a nice ledge rock landing around to the south, which provides easy access.

Remember, no modern conveniences such as running water, electrical hookups, or trash disposal are available. Campers must pack out all trash, filter all drinking water from the lake, and utilize a bear-safe food storage method.

Features / Highlights

The excellent reviews for Campsite #939 are driven by its natural attributes, making it a highly desirable location for a basecamp-style trip.

• Exceptional Sunsets: The site’s western-facing orientation on the island point provides a clear, stunning view of the sunset over Brule Lake, a major draw for photographers and relaxation-seekers.

• Spacious Fire Grate Area: The main gathering area is noted for being large, often featuring natural sitting logs that can accommodate a bigger group, perfect for social time and cooking.

• Good Swimming & Lounging: A better canoe landing area to the south of the camp is often described as having a nice ledge rock and less rocky lake bottom, making it excellent for swimming and sunbathing.

• Natural Bear Safety: The abundance of sturdy, mature pine trees provides easy and secure options for proper bear bag hanging, a critical safety element in the BWCA.

• Shoreline Fishing Access: Being on a point provides excellent access to deeper water and channels, with multiple spots along the shoreline great for fishing for native species like Walleye and Smallmouth Bass.

• Wind Protection & Views: Though it is a point site, the layout often provides a good cross-breeze to deter insects while still offering scenic views and some tree protection for the tent pads.

Contact Information

Campsite #939 is a wilderness location and does not have its own phone number or direct access. All official contact is through the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) office that manages the Gunflint Trail area and the BWCAW permit system.

Address (General Wilderness Area):

West Cook, MN 55604, USA

Permit and Reservation Office:

Permits are booked through the National Recreation Reservation System.

Phone: 1-877-444-6777 (Recreation.gov Call Center)

Local Ranger Station (for current conditions and permit pick-up):

Gunflint Ranger District (for Brule Lake/EP 41 access) – Refer to the Superior National Forest website for the most current physical address and phone number of the Gunflint Station before your trip.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesotans, Campsite #939 on Brule Lake epitomizes the ideal BWCA trip. The relative ease of accessing the site from the entry point means less grueling travel time and more days available to simply enjoy the core activities: fishing, swimming, stargazing, and listening to the calls of the loons. The site’s superb natural features—the western sunset views, the spacious camp area, and the good swimming rocks—offer a high return on the effort required for a wilderness trip. Local users possess the essential knowledge to secure a coveted BWCA permit and handle the logistics of outfitting, making this premier site a realistic and rewarding goal. It’s a place that fosters a profound connection to Minnesota’s signature wild spaces, offering the chance to create enduring memories in a setting that few other states can match. For a truly restorative and classic Northwoods canoeing and camping experience, Campsite #939 stands out as a top-tier choice for your next local adventure.

BWCA Campsite #939

West Cook, MN 55604, USA