Boundary Waters food storage order extended until February 1, 2031

The USFS-Superior National Forest has renewed the food storage order for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Starting in 2024, the agency updated its rules and now requires visitors to hang their food or use an approved container.

For 2026, the biggest update is that visitors must now secure their food between April 1 and November 30.

In their press release, the USFS stated that, “These restrictions apply to all visitors to the BWCAW, unless they have a written authorization specifically exempting them from this order or they are carrying out their official duties as a member of a rescue or firefighting team. Attractants do not need to be safely stored if they’re in use, such as cooking or preparing food, or when kept under close watch. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the forest order website page for additional information.”

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts/forest-order-09-09-26-02-bwcaw-bear-aware-food-storage-order