BWCA Campsite #946

- West Cook, MN 55604

For Minnesota residents, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is the jewel of the Northwoods, a vast landscape of pristine lakes and towering pines. BWCA Campsite #946 offers an authentic, sought-after opportunity to immerse yourself in this unparalleled natural sanctuary. This particular site is nestled on the shoreline of Gaskin Lake, a popular destination that is part of the interconnected network of waterways in the Superior National Forest.

Unlike developed state park campgrounds, Campsite #946 is a designated wilderness site, meaning it provides a truly primitive experience. Visitors here must be prepared for a fully self-sustained trip, adhering rigorously to Leave No Trace principles, which protect the area’s delicate ecosystem. The adventure begins long before you arrive, with mandatory planning, securing a quota permit, and paddling into the deep wilderness. Campers consistently rate this site highly for its natural appeal, size, and the balance of comfortable amenities against the backdrop of raw wilderness. It’s an ideal location for those looking to fish, canoe, portage, and truly disconnect from the digital world, embracing the solitude that the BWCAW is famous for.

BWCA Campsite #946 is situated on Gaskin Lake, an intermediate-to-remote lake deep within the protected zones of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, administratively linked to the West Cook, MN 55604, USA area. Gaskin Lake is typically accessed via entry points along the scenic Gunflint Trail, often through Entry Point #47 (Lizz and Swamp Lakes) or Entry Point #48 (Meeds Lake).

Reaching Campsite #946 is an adventure in itself, requiring a multi-lake paddle and several portages—the physical carrying of canoes and gear over land trails between lakes. Depending on your chosen entry point and route, the journey to Gaskin Lake can take a significant portion of a day or more, underscoring the site's deep-wilderness location. The relative distance from the entry points contributes to a reduced level of daily traffic compared to sites closer to the wilderness edge, enhancing the desired sense of solitude. Access is strictly limited to non-mechanized travel (canoeing and portaging), reinforcing the protected, primitive character of the area. All travel details, including entry point and date, must be secured with an advance-reserved BWCAW Quota Permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

As a designated site within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Campsite #946 offers a limited set of infrastructure designed solely to concentrate human impact and preserve the natural setting. There is no running water, electricity, or trash service. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

• Designated Campsite Marker: A visible sign officially identifying the site, which ensures all members of a permit group camp together in the same location to minimize environmental impact.
• Wilderness Latrine: An essential, rudimentary vault-style outdoor toilet provided for human waste disposal, situated well away from the main camp area and water sources for sanitation. All non-human waste must be packed out.
• Steel Fire Grate: A permanent, metal structure for containing campfires. Open fires are restricted to this grate and are subject to fire bans and restrictions. It is mandatory to drown all fires until they are cold to the touch before leaving the camp or retiring for the night.
• Established Tent Pads: The site is generally noted for having two to three defined, level areas suitable for pitching tents. These pads are maintained to protect the surrounding native vegetation.
• Water Access: Direct access to the shoreline of Gaskin Lake provides a source for water, which must be filtered, purified, or boiled before consumption. All bathing and dishwashing must occur at least 200 feet from the lake and streams.

Campsite #946 is frequently cited in trip reports as one of the best sites on Gaskin Lake, offering a high-quality wilderness experience that satisfies both seasoned paddlers and ambitious first-timers:

• Superior Views and Exposure: Campers often mention its location on a point or island (depending on the exact site location, but often described as having an elevated viewpoint) that offers expansive views of Gaskin Lake, providing natural wind breaks against bugs and excellent opportunities for photography.
• Multiple Tent Pads: The site is known for having several good tent pads, easily accommodating the maximum group size of nine people and allowing for comfortable separation of sleeping areas.
• Excellent Hammock Potential: With abundant mature pines, the area is noted as a perfect spot for hanging hammocks, enhancing the relaxation aspect of the trip.
• Good Canoe Landing: The landing is often described as a smooth rock or gentle slope, making the challenging task of loading and unloading canoes and gear much simpler than at sites with difficult, muddy, or rocky shores.
• Prime Fishing Location: Gaskin Lake itself is popular for fishing, and the site's location often provides good shore fishing spots or easy access to nearby fishing grounds for species such as Walleye and Northern Pike.
• Deep Solitude and Silence: Due to the distance required to paddle and portage to Gaskin Lake, Campsite #946 provides a greater sense of true, uninterrupted wilderness quiet, far removed from the noise of civilization.

Campsite #946 is an unstaffed wilderness location. All reservations, regulations, and administrative inquiries are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The permit for entry points leading to Gaskin Lake is generally issued by the Gunflint Ranger District.

Administrative Office for Permit Issuance (Gunflint Ranger District):

Gunflint Ranger District (Superior National Forest)
Address: 2020 W. Highway 61, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (This is the required permit-issuing station, not the campsite location)

Phone for Administrative Inquiry (Gunflint Ranger District):

Phone: (218) 387-1750

*Note: All overnight visitors from May 1 through September 30 must obtain a Quota Permit through Recreation.gov. It is critical to secure your permit well in advance, as the quota system limits the number of groups entering the wilderness each day to preserve its character.

For Minnesota locals, Campsite #946 on Gaskin Lake is the ideal destination because it delivers on the promise of the classic "Up North" experience, blending personal challenge with profound natural reward. The inherent difficulty of reaching this deep-wilderness site ensures that only those with a true commitment to the Northwoods journey will arrive, guaranteeing a higher degree of solitude and respect among fellow campers. This is the place where local families and friends forge lasting memories, learning self-reliance through the necessity of purification, bear-proofing, and navigating the vast water trails that are uniquely Minnesotan. The remoteness of the site, while challenging, is the core feature that allows for unmatched tranquility—the chance to hear only the call of the loon, the whisper of the wind in the pines, and the crackle of a campfire under the steel grate. Campsite #946 is an authentic piece of Minnesota’s protected heritage, offering a vital escape from modern life and a deeply satisfying connection to the state’s wild, forested heart.

BWCA Campsite #946

West Cook, MN 55604, USA