Travel Permits

• You must enter the BWCAW at the entry point and on the entry date shown on your permit.
• You may not re-enter on a different date using the same permit.
• Permit stubs become invalid when the group leader exits the wilderness.

Group Size

• Nine (9) people and four (4) watercraft are the maximum allowed together in the wilderness.
• You may not exceed the limit at any time or anywhere (on water, portages, campsites) in the BWCAW.
• Smaller groups increase your wilderness experience and decrease the impacts.

Toilet Facilities & Water Quality

• Use latrines at designated campsites.
• Latrines are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose only. Personal waste items such as cigarettes, cotton swabs, or plastic feminine products should always be packed out and should never go into the latrines.
• If you're not near a latrine, dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 150-200 feet or more back from the water's edge. When finished, fill hole and cover with needles and leaves.
• Bathe and wash dishes at least 150-200 feet from lakes and streams.
• All soaps pollute water including soaps labeled "biodegradable."

Containers

• Cans and glass bottles are not allowed.
• Containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles, and other items that are not foods or beverages are the only cans and bottles you may keep in their original containers.
• Food may be packaged in plastic containers that must be packed out with you.

Food and Fish Remains

• Try to plan your meals so you don't have leftovers. If you do, pack them out.
• Dispose of fish remains by traveling well away from campsites, trails, portages and shorelines.

Campfires

• Fires are allowed within the steel fire grates at designated campsites or as specifically approved on your visitor's permit.
• Bringing a small camp stove may be a better idea because it heats food more quickly, has less impact than a fire, and comes in handy during rainy weather.
• Due to the potential fire danger, fire restrictions may be put into effect. Check on current conditions just prior to your trip. You may be required to use a camp stove if there is a campfire restriction.
• If you build a fire, burn only small diameter dead wood found lying on the ground. Do not burn trash.
• Collect firewood away from campsites by paddling down the shore and walking into the woods where it is more abundant.
• Wood easily broken by hand or cut with a small folding saw eliminates the need for an axe.
• Drown your fire with water any time you are going to be away from your camp or at bedtime. Stir the ashes until they are cold to the touch with a bare hand.
• Transporting wood from out of state is prohibited.

Campsites

• All members of a permit group must camp together.
• Camp only at Forest Service designated campsites that have steel fire grates and wilderness latrines.
• Make camp early in the day to ensure finding an available campsite.
• It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason.
• You may camp up to fourteen (14) consecutive days on a specific site.

Storing Watercraft

• Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with your current visit may be stored and left unattended.
• All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the end of each trip.

Cultural Heritage

• Leave archaeological, historical, and rock painting sites undisturbed.
• The use of metal detectors is prohibited.

Firearms & Fireworks

• Discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a campsite, or occupied area, or in any manner or location that places people or property at risk of injury.
• State game laws apply in the BWCAW.
• Fireworks of any kind are illegal.

Pets

• Dogs impact wildlife and barking intrudes on the experience of others. They must be under control at all times.
• Dispose of fecal matter 150 feet from water sources, campsites, and portages, or deposit it in a latrine.

Motor-Powered Watercraft Regulations

• Motor-powered watercraft are permitted only on the following designated lakes. All other lakes or portions of lakes within the BWCAW are paddle only. Motors may not be used or be in possession on any paddle-only lake. No other motorized or mechanized equipment (including pontoon boats, sailboats, sailboards) is allowed.

Lakes With 10 Horsepower Limit

Lakes With 25 Horsepower Limit

• On these lakes or portions of these lakes, the possession of one additional motor no greater than 10 horsepower is permitted, as long as motors in use do not exceed 25 horsepower:
  - Basswood (except that portion north of Jackfish Bay and Washington Island), Saganaga (except that portion west of American Point), Fall, Newton, Moose, Newfound, Sucker, Snowbank, East Bearskin, South Farm, Trout.

Lakes With No Horsepower Limits

Portage Wheels

Non-Profit Organizations

The only benefit to reserving a permit having an association to a non-profit organization's name is that the permit may then be issued to anyone who can prove affiliation with the organization in the same location. For example, if a permit is reserved with an association to Non-profit organization "Girl Scouts, Troop 16, Chicago" then anyone affiliated with that particular organization may have the permit issued to her/him. When reserving a permit associated with a non-profit organization, the non-profit organization's name, address and a contact person for the organization is required. The Customer profile must be under the contact person's name and the organization under profile must be set to the Non-profit Organization. The representative of the non-profit organization that actually picks up the permit becomes the group leader, must remain with the group for the duration of the trip, and will be responsible to see that the group follows BWCAW regulations. Please contact the Forest Service office nearest your planned entry point for additional information about reserving permits planning for non-profit organizations.

BWCAW User Fees

User Fees Per Person Per Trip

BWCAW Seasonal Fee Card

Seasonal Fee Card Costs Per Person

Middle Fork of the Salmon River Rules and Regulations

Conditions of the Permit

The permit holder will sign a permit affirming that they have read and understand the definition of a private float trip. The permit holder is then authorized to enter onto the Middle Fork of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River subject to the following conditions:

• Permit holder signs the permit and becomes responsible for the group and must be present and accompany the group at all times while on the river.
• Observe all local, State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Camp in the assigned camps listed on the permit.
• Carry and display permit upon request of any Forest Officer.
• Carry a porta-potty with sufficient carrying capacity for the number of persons in your group. If you have a pet, you must transport out all pet feces.
• Use a firepan or ash container to carry out all campfire ashes and charcoal. Build fires only in safe locations within a fire pan. Tend them with extreme care and completely extinguish prior to retiring for the night or leaving the area. Do not build fire rings.
• Pick up all garbage including foil, plastic bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and pop tops, and carrying them out of the river area to a provided dump site and recycling station.
• Do NOT use soap, not even biodegradable soap, in any stream, river, lake or hot springs.
• Carry a mesh strainer fine enough to filter coffee grounds. This should be used to strain food particles and other materials from your dish- and gray-water.
• Carry a bucket and a shovel for fire fighting.
• Public nudity is prohibited.
• The Antiquities Act prohibits the casual collection of artifacts. For this reason, we ask that you protect and leave all archeological artifacts and natural features intact. Take only pictures and memories; leave only footprints.

Passenger List

A formal, complete passenger list will be required on the day of the launch. At that time each person will be required to sign a document certifying that their trip is a private trip. A river trip is not commercial if: (1) There is a bona fide sharing of actual expenses, including transportation to and from the site; (2) The trip does not include any costs for payment of salaries or expenses of any person to help with the trip or logistics of the trip; (3) Costs shared by trip members include the costs of damaged or lost equipment, renting or buying minor equipment or the acquisition of new equipment to the advantage of an individual or an organization. Persons involved in unauthorized commercial operations are subject to fine and/or imprisonment.

Cancellation policy

Please note that this reservation is not transferable (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for medical or special circumstances; call the Middle Fork District office if you have questions about your situation).

If you cannot make the trip, you must always provide a cancellation to the reservation system; no exceptions. Cancellations should be entered at the recreation.gov as soon as possible, but have to be received no later than 21 days prior to your launch date.

There will be no exceptions to the 21-day cancellation requirements during normal water flows. When water levels exceed 5.0 feet, or if the road to Boundary Creek is not open, the time requirements may be waived, but a cancellation must always be submitted.

When submitting your cancellation, please go to your existing reservation with recreation.gov and follow the instructions.

Failure to provide timely cancellation will trigger a no-show penalty. No-show status restricts you from holding a permit on this river for three years.

Salmon River Rules and Regulations

Conditions of the Permit

The permit holder will sign a permit affirming that they have read and understand the definition of a private float trip. The permit holder is then authorized to enter onto the Salmon River subject to the following conditions:

• Permit holder signs the permit and becomes responsible for the group and must be present and accompany the group at all times while on the river.
• PRIVATE, NON-COMMERCIAL FLOATERS Participants may not be paid in any manner; they must equally share costs with other members of the group. A trip is noncommercial if there is a bona fide sharing of costs where no part of the fees are collected in excess of actual costs of the activity, for salary or financial gain in any manner for any of the group, its leaders or sponsors or for capital increase or amortization (paying off debt) of the major equipment.
• Observe all local, State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Camp in the reserved camps listed on the permit.
• NO overnight camping at hot springs.
• Carry and display permit upon request of any Forest Officer.
• Carry a porta-potty with sufficient carrying capacity for the number of persons in your group. If you have a pet, you must transport out all pet feces.
• Use a firepan or ash container to carry out all campfire ashes and charcoal. Build fires only in safe locations within a fire pan. Tend them with extreme care and completely extinguish prior to retiring for the night or leaving the area. Do not build fire rings.
• Pick up all garbage including foil, plastic bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and pop tops, and carrying them out of the river area to a provided dump site and recycling station.
• Do NOT use soap, not even biodegradable soap, in any stream, river, lake or hot springs.
• Carry a mesh strainer fine enough to filter coffee grounds. This should be used to strain food particles and other materials from your dish- and gray-water.
• Carry a bucket and a shovel for fire fighting.
• Public nudity is prohibited.
• The Antiquities Act prohibits the casual collection of artifacts. For this reason, we ask that you protect and leave all archeological artifacts and natural features intact. Take only pictures and memories; leave only footprints.
• Be aware that there is commercial and private jet boat use in the River Corridor.

Passenger List

Cancellation policy

Please note that this reservation is not transferable (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for medical or special circumstances; call the Middle Fork District office if you have questions about your situation).

If you cannot make the trip, you must always provide a cancellation to the reservation system; no exceptions. Cancellations should be entered at the recreation.gov as soon as possible, but have to be received no later than 21 days prior to your launch date.

There will be no exceptions to the 21-day cancellation requirements during normal water flows. The time requirements may be waived, but a cancellation must always be submitted.

When submitting your cancellation, please go to your existing reservation with recreation.gov and follow the instructions.

Failure to provide timely cancellation will trigger a no-show penalty. No-show status restricts you from holding a permit on this river for three years.

Selway River Rules and Regulations

Permits

• Permits are not required outside of control season, but if on the river pre-season, you may not be on the river May 15
• Control season May 15 - July 31 - no more than 1 party is allowed to launch each day
• Outside of control season August 1 to May 14 - unlimited number of launches per day
• There is a $6.00 non-refundable application fee for all river reservations

Recreation Fees

• No fees for the Selway River

Group Size

• During the lottery season, maximum party size is 16, but maximum trip duration can vary
• Outside the lottery season, maximum party size is 16.

Recommended Equipment

• Porta potty-(preferably washable) toilet with appropriate capacity
• Fire pan (3 inch sides)
• Ash container (preferably metal)
• Strainer
• Shovel
• Bucket
• Photo ID-permit holder

Camp Sanitation

• All dish/waste water must be strained and water broadcast above high water mark
• All human and pet feces should be packed out in porta-potty
• Absolutely nothing but human/pet waste in porta-potty, no sanitary wipes, tampons, sticks etc. Foreign objects aren't compatible with RV dump stations..
• All fire ash should be packed out in ash container
• All urination can be above the high water mark.
• No soaps even biodegradable in any streams, river or water source
• Camp on already hardened sites, avoid packing vegetation down
• All litter, food particles, including micro-trash must be packed out

Camp Etiquette

• Use only dead and downed wood or charcoal for fire
• Return any rocks to where found if used for tent, tarp, or boat anchors
• Leave beaches unmarked, smooth disturbed surfaces
• Do not disturb or harass wildlife
• Leave camp in pristine state

Heritage Resources

• Do not touch, remove or damage any heritage resources (e.g. historic cabins, pictographs, artifacts, etc.) Oils from fingers can contribute to deterioration of pictographs.

Campsites

• All members of group must camp together
• Please plan lay-over days in less used sites
• Camps at Moose Creek may need to be shared with other groups

Tid-Bits

• Permit holder signs the permit and becomes responsible for the entire group and must be present and accompany group at all times while on the river
• Observe all local, State and Federal laws and regulations
• Carry and display permit upon request of any Forest Officer
• Public nudity is discouraged
• Respect private property, do not enter unless acknowledged or invited, contain dogs at boat or on leash.
• Be courteous and efficient at put-in and take-out sites, no camping at boat ramp.
• Call ahead on road conditions and campfire restrictions

Snake River Rules and Regulations

A permit is required for all private power and float boating on the Wild and Scenic Snake River within the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area year round. A reservation number is required on the permit during the primary season.

The trip leader must have a permit in possession and display it upon request by any Forest Officer.

Permits

• Primary Season from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through September 10th
• Secondary Season from September 11th through the Thursday preceding Memorial Day
• There is a $6.00 non-refundable application fee for all river reservations
• MAXIMUM PARTY SIZE is 24 People

FLOATCRAFT

• Limit of 8 floatcraft per float party.
• Reservation identification tags are required and must be attached to and displayed by each floatcraft during the primary season.
• Floatcraft operators may have a "kicker" motor, 15 hp max, mounted on their craft, even during periods where powerboats are prohibited. Operation of the motor at any time on the Wild River section is PROHIBITED, except during emergencies.
• BOAT REGISTRATION NUMBERS on motorized rivercraft must be displayed pursuant to State and Federal requirements. This includes floatcraft with kickers.

WILD RIVER NON MOTORIZED PERIODS

The use of NON VALID RIVERCRAFT is prohibited. Information on the types of valid and non valid rivercraft is posted at all river permit stations or call (509) 758 0616.

CAMPING

Primary Season:
• Wild River Hells Canyon Dam to Upper Pittsburg Landing Three Days and Two Nights per Campsite.
• Scenic River Upper Pittsburg Landing to Cache Creek Adm. Site Four Days and Three Nights per Campsite.
• Each party may not occupy more than one campsite per night.
• Camping at Upper or Lower Granite Creek is limited to one night per trip.
Secondary Season:
• Stay lengths of up to 14 days and 13 nights per campsite.

Other General Rules

• EQUIPMENT LEFT UNATTENDED for more than 24 hours without permission from a Forest Officer is not authorized.
• LAUNCHING OF FLOATCRAFT FROM PRIVATE POWERBOATS, year-round in the Wild River and on Friday, Saturday or Sunday in the Scenic River is prohibited.
• A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) IS REQUIRED for each person on any rivercraft.
• CHILDREN 12 years or younger are REQUIRED to wear a PFD at all times while rivercraft is under way.
• USE OR DISPOSAL of soap, detergent or other pollutants in the river is prohibited.
• SANITATION All solid human waste must be carried out and disposed of as required by local regulations. All trips must be equipped with an approved carry out system RV dump station compatible or equipment indelibly marked with name, address, and phone number of party member. Strain waste water (dishwater) and dispose of at least 100 feet from the outer edge of campsite and river. You are required to pack out all garbage.
• Use of FUEL ABSORPTION MATERIAL is required during any on river fueling operation.
• Obey the NO WAKE ZONES within 200 feet of developed recreation and administrative sites at Hells Canyon Creek, Kirkwood, Pittsburg Landing, Copper Creek, Dug Bar and Cache Creek.
• DROP CAMPS are not authorized during the primary season unless transportation is provided by Commercial Outfitters. Commercial Outfitters, reference Special Use Permit, Annual Operating Plan for guidelines pertaining to drop camp transportation. A permit must be completed for each drop camp location.
• ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE AUTHORIZATION IS PROHIBITED.
• OPERATING ANY RIVERCRAFT IN A RECKLESS OR CARELESS MANNER OR WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICANTS IS PROHIBITED.
• DISCHARGING A FIREARM or other instrument capable of causing death or injury within 150 yards of an occupied area, or in any manner or place where persons or property could be injured or damaged is prohibited.
• POSSESSION AND/OR DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS is prohibited.
• CUTTING OR GATHERING ANY FIREWOOD within the river corridor is prohibited. OPEN CAMPFIRES are prohibited. FIREPANS are required to contain camp and/or cooking fires year round. Use of wood for fuel is prohibited from July 1 through September 15. All ashes and other fire residue must be packed out.
• The Forest Service cooperates with State and Counties enforcement of all applicable laws, including laws pertaining to boating safety and boating under the influence of intoxicants.