Boundary Waters Fee Increase Proposed

The U.S. Forest Service–Superior National Forest is inviting public comments on a proposal to increase recreation fees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Forest Service would use the additional revenue to improve campsites and portage trails, expand outdoor education programs, and support Search and Rescue operations.

Each year, around 150,000 people visit the BWCAW for overnight and day-use trips. Throughout the boreal forest, there are 2,000 designated first-come, first-served campsites and 1,200 miles of canoe routes. In addition, there are roughly 200 miles of hiking trails.

The Forest Service estimates that the BWCAW supports a $100 million annual recreation-based economy. As a result, gateway communities along the boundary rely heavily on the tourism and spending that the wilderness generates.

If the proposal moves forward, the Forest Service will increase the fees to $40 per adult and $20 per youth (ages 0–17) per trip. “Fees will allow the Superior National Forest to hire Wilderness Ranger vacancies to catch up on over $11 million in maintenance backlog” in the BWCA, said forest spokesperson Joy VanDrie.