Discovering BWCAW Campsite #717: Your Guide to a Minnesota Wilderness Trip

Introduction / Overview: Embracing the Boundary Waters Heritage

For generations of Minnesota residents, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has stood as the ultimate expression of the state's natural beauty and rugged outdoor tradition. BWCAW Campsite #717 is one of the approximately 2,000 designated sites nestled within this million-plus-acre expanse of lakes, rivers, and boreal forest, providing a precious opportunity for true solitude and self-reliance. As a location within the Superior National Forest, this campsite is not a conventional campground with paved roads and modern amenities; it is a primitive, federally protected wilderness site accessed entirely by paddle and portage.

A trip to Campsite #717 is more than just camping; it is a full immersion into the ancient landscape that defines the 'Arrowhead' region of Minnesota. The BWCAW is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the nation, yet its strict management protocols—including a mandatory Quota Permit system during the peak season (May 1 – September 30)—ensure that visitors like you can still find the expansive solitude it promises. This particular campsite is a designated stopping point on the vast network of canoe routes, offering a structured, low-impact base for exploration, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Successfully reaching and staying at Campsite #717 requires meticulous planning, adherence to all wilderness regulations, and a profound commitment to the Leave No Trace principles that protect this globally recognized natural treasure.

Location and Accessibility: A Journey to East Cook’s Wild Heart

BWCAW Campsite #717 is geographically located in the remote wilderness region of East Cook, MN 55604, USA. It is crucial for local users to understand that this address is administrative, corresponding to a general area within the Superior National Forest, not a roadside attraction. The campsite is accessible only by watercraft and overland portaging.

To reach Campsite #717, one must first select an official BWCAW Entry Point that offers a viable canoe route. Given its location in East Cook, the most common access corridors are often found along the renowned Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) or other access points in the eastern half of the wilderness. Once the entry point is secured with a valid permit, the journey begins by paddling and carrying all necessary gear and food across a chain of lakes and connecting portage trails. The difficulty of the trip depends entirely on the chosen route, but it typically involves multi-day travel under one’s own power. Local outfitters in nearby communities such as Grand Marais are essential partners in this process, providing necessary equipment, detailed waterproof maps, and up-to-date route information, including the locations of specific campsites like #717. Accessibility is earned through effort, ensuring that the destination retains its truly wild and remote character.

Services Offered (Wilderness-Specific Amenities)

The core philosophy of the BWCAW is to preserve the area's primitive character. As such, the services available at Campsite #717 are minimal and non-modern, designed to facilitate a safe, low-impact wilderness stay while ensuring no permanent structures or lasting human trace remain.

Designated Fire Grate: Every official campsite, including #717, is equipped with a permanent, steel fire grate. This structure is the only legal place to build a fire for cooking or warmth, helping to prevent wildfires and protect the soil from permanent scarring.
Wilderness Latrine: A simple, open-air pit toilet is established a prescribed distance from the main tenting area and the water's edge. This critical service ensures sanitation is maintained in the remote environment.
Established Tent Pads: Clear, level areas are designated for pitching tents. These pads concentrate human impact, preventing campers from trampling and damaging the surrounding fragile vegetation.
Canoe Landing Zone: A natural, cleared area on the shoreline or a smooth rock face that allows for safe and convenient landing and launching of canoes and kayaks.
Dead and Down Firewood: The only permissible firewood is dead wood found lying on the ground. This "service" requires campers to gather their own fuel and forbids the cutting or damaging of any standing tree, living or dead.
Water Source: The adjacent lake provides a vast, natural water source. However, consistent with wilderness safety, all water must be collected and then filtered, boiled, or purified before consumption.

Features / Highlights (A True Northwoods Immersion)

The true highlights of Campsite #717 are the features of the natural setting itself—the raw, untamed elements of the Minnesota-Canadian border ecosystem that draw in countless adventurers annually.

Dark Sky Sanctuary Status: The entire BWCAW is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Campsite #717 offers an unobstructed view of one of the darkest night skies in North America, perfect for stargazing and viewing the Aurora Borealis.
Untouched Boreal Forest: The campsite is surrounded by old-growth forest of pine, spruce, and birch, providing a pristine setting and the chance to observe the complex ecosystem of the Northwoods.
Exceptional Solitude and Silence: The permit system and the paddle-in distance create an environment where the most dominant sounds are often the wind, the rustling of leaves, and the haunting calls of the Common Loon.
Rugged Glacial Topography: The physical landscape features granite rock formations, high ridges, and clear, deep lakes carved by ancient glaciers, creating stunning backdrops for photography and exploration.
Outstanding Paddling and Portaging: The canoe routes surrounding #717 offer a challenging and rewarding experience, connecting a network of waterbodies ideal for long-distance wilderness travel, paddling, and exploring hidden bays.
Abundant Wildlife Viewing: The area is home to significant populations of wildlife, including moose, black bear, beaver, and bald eagles. Responsible food storage is essential due to the presence of wildlife.

Contact Information (Permit and Administration)

Since Campsite #717 is a wilderness location without staff, all contact is directed toward the administrative offices responsible for its management and the permit process:

Administrative Address (Superior National Forest): 8901 Grand Ave Place, Duluth, MN 55808 (This is the Forest Supervisor’s Office, not the campsite itself).

Phone for Local Ranger District (LaCroix or Gunflint, depending on access point): Contact the nearest district office, such as the Gunflint Ranger District, for localized route conditions and permit questions: (218) 387-1750.

Permit Reservations: Permits are mandatory for overnight trips from May 1–September 30. Reservations must be made through the official government portal: Recreation.gov. Search for "Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Reservations."

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

Campsite #717 is perfectly suited for Minnesotans because it offers an authentic, profound, and relatively close-to-home escape that taps directly into the state’s heritage. Local users are already familiar with the "Up North" mentality, the need for preparedness in unpredictable weather, and the respectful relationship required for true wilderness travel. The entire infrastructure, from local outfitters who provide Kevlar canoes and route maps to the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Districts, is managed and maintained by fellow Minnesotans. Visiting a remote site like #717 is not just a vacation; it is a pilgrimage that tests skills, builds character, and offers a unique perspective on the wild landscape that defines the state. It allows residents to fully claim their birthright as stewards and adventurers of the Boundary Waters, leaving them with unparalleled memories of challenging portages, pristine lakes, and nights under the stars in a world-class wilderness sanctuary that belongs to us all.