Ely and Gunflint Trail outfitters respond to BWCA permit problems

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) visitors dreaming about trips next summer were disappointed when the online permit system crashed on opening day, January 30.

Shortly after the BWCA permit reservation system became available to the public, the U.S. Forest Service discovered the situation. A few users were able to obtain permits; others were stymied.

For that reason, the Forest Service made the decision to interrupt the sale of BWCA permits on the national recreation reservation site.
 
There is currently no timeframe for when the site will start working.
 
There is a differing reaction amongst forest users. Nancy McReady of Conservationists with Common Sense was clear about her displeasure with the change from the BWCA permit lottery system to the current first come, first served process. She was also frustrated by the inability to obtain permits. Click here to hear an interview on January 31 with her.
 
WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs also reached out to two outfitters—one in the Ely area; one on the Gunflint Trail. Here are their thoughts on the changed system and the computer glitches.