Trip to the BWCA Likely to Cost You More Next Year: Hike in User Fee Would Be First in a Decade

By Dennis Lien, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Aug. 1–Campers and canoeists heading into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota could face higher fees as early as next year.

The Superior National Forest, which manages the 1.1 million-acre wilderness, wants to increase overnight user fees for trips by 60 percent — from $10 to $16 for adults and from $5 to $8 for youths.

If approved by an advisory committee, the new structure would go into effect next year and would represent the first fee hike for BWCA Wilderness visitors in a decade.

Kris Reichenbach, a spokeswoman for the Superior National Forest, said the fee increase would help cover maintenance costs for portages, trails and campsites that have gradually increased over the past 10 years. Some specific improvements also might be targeted, she added.

“Some portages or some campsites maybe need a little more attention,” Reichenbach said. “There wouldn’t be any new development.”

Each year, about 200,000 day-use and overnight visitors enter the BWCA Wilderness, the most heavily used wilderness in the country, and spend about 1.5 million “recreation visitor days” there.

The $10 and $5 overnight user fees are separate from a $12 group trip reservation fee.

Bill Hansen, president of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters on Sawbill Lake, said the fee isn’t controversial and an increase probably won’t upset or concern many people.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Hansen said. “Given the length of time they have been charging $10 and $5, they are just catching up with inflation.”

Ron Meador, executive director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, said the proposal seemed reasonable.

“It’s the first increase in 10 years, and to those who love being in the BWCA, it’s still going to be a bargain,” Meador said.

Authorities based the increase on inflationary adjustments over the past decade and projections for the next five to 10 years.

An 11-member committee appointed by the U.S. Forest Service will make the final decision. It could reject or approve the increase or even reduce its size, Reichenbach said. The committee consists of government officials, recreation users and special-interest groups.

Dennis Lien can be reached at dlien@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5588.

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