Proposal would toughen cancellation policy for BWCAW quota permits

BOUNDARY WATERS — Changes to toughen the cancellation policy for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits are in the works, and the public is invited to weigh in.

The goal is to get unused permits back into the system faster by updating refund timing to encourage earlier cancellations.

Those who cancel 28 days or more before a trip would get back half of the deposit. Cancellations between three and 28 days would get 25% back, while those who cancel within two days would forfeit their deposits.

The current cancellation policy allows people to be refunded fully, minus the $6 reservation fee, if they cancel two or more days ahead of time.

The BWCAW is managed with daily entry quotas from May through September, and those permits are released in January.

Late cancellations and no‑shows continue to climb, according to the U.S. Forest Service. In 2025, nearly 40% of January reservations were never used, limiting timely access for others.

If changes are approved, they would go into effect in January 2027.

People may comment on the proposal through July 22 on the Superior National Forest website, by email at sm.fs.bwcawsurvey@usda.gov or by mail to the Superior National Forest, Attn: BWCAW Cancellation Policy, 8901 Grand Ave Place, Duluth, MN, 55808.