BWCA Closed Under Emergency Order Through October

For those of us who measure summer in portages, campfires and nights listening to loons, this one hurts.

Photo by Lorie Shaull, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness under an emergency order that runs through October 1, 2026—or until officials determine that conditions allow them to rescind or revise it.

That last part matters.

The October date does not necessarily mean the entire Boundary Waters will remain closed for the rest of the paddling season. It gives the Forest Service the authority to maintain the closure that long without continually issuing new orders. Officials say conditions are being evaluated daily, and they are reportedly working on plans that could reopen portions of the wilderness away from the active fires.

But as of this writing on July 23, the entire BWCA remains closed.

The closure began July 14 following an outbreak of wildfires across Superior National Forest. Hot, dry and windy weather allowed fires to spread quickly and unpredictably. At one point, officials were responding to as many as 19 fires across the forest, including several inside the BWCA.

In a wilderness where reaching an injured paddler can be difficult on a good day, evacuating hundreds of visitors ahead of a shifting wildfire is not a gamble worth taking. Smoke, falling trees, changing winds and limited escape routes made the full closure an understandable—if painful—decision.

Permits have currently been canceled through Friday, July 24. Additional cancellations or announcements about partial reopening could come at any time.

If you have an upcoming trip, don’t rely on Facebook rumors or assume that an October expiration date means your August trip is automatically doomed. Check the Superior National Forest closure page and talk directly with your outfitter before changing your plans.

It is also worth remembering that “the BWCA is closed” does not mean all of northern Minnesota is burning. Resorts, outfitters, restaurants and other small businesses around Ely, Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail depend heavily on a short summer season. If your canoe trip is canceled, consider salvaging the vacation somewhere that remains open rather than abandoning the region entirely.

The Boundary Waters has endured fire before. Blackened shorelines eventually turn green. Jack pines release their seeds. Blueberries return.

For now, we wait, give firefighters room to work and hope that at least part of the wilderness can safely reopen before October.

Editor’s note: Conditions are changing quickly. This article reflects information available July 23, 2026. The emergency order is scheduled to remain effective through October 1 unless rescinded or modified sooner.