Photo: Josh Hild on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - June 22, 2026


The Superior National Forest, along with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Collaborative, has announced a proposal to update the wilderness area's permit cancellation policy in order to return unused permits to the public more quickly. The proposed plan shifts away from a flat cancellation window to a tiered refund model linked directly to the permit holder's deposit. Currently, the minimum deposit equals two adult recreation user fees, and this will remain under the new proposed policy.

In the announced policy, the following is proposed for overnight paddle, overnight hiking, and overnight motor permits during the managed quota season, which runs from May 1 to September 30:

• Cancellations made more than 28 days prior to the entry date, the permit holder retains 50% of the deposit.

• Cancellations made between 28 and three days prior to the entry date, the permit holder retains 25% of the deposit.

• Cancellations made within two days of entry, the permit holder retains 0% of the deposit. 

The proposed policy comes after several years of steadily climbing rates of unused permits or late cancellations. In 2025, there were 22,549 initial on-sale reservations made, according to the USFS. Of those, 13,295 permits were actually issued, 7,077 were cancelled, and 2,177 were no-shows. These trends have been similar throughout the past few years. On average, 40% of reservations have gone unused each year since 2021.

Out of the 12,096 total cancellations recorded during the 2025 season, 3,986 cancellations happened zero to four days before entry, 4,593 cancellations took place five to 30 days before entry, and 3,517 cancellations happened more than 30 days before entry. 

According to the USFS, short-notice cancellations leave entry points vacant because replacement groups or outfitters often don't have the necessary lead time to arrange equipment, transportation, and permits.

A 30-day public comment period regarding the proposal is open beginning today, June 22, through July 22, 2026. If approved, the changes are scheduled to be implemented on Recreation.gov in January 2027 for the upcoming summer season.

Comments can be submitted via email ([email protected]) or mail (Superior National Forest, Attn: BWCAW Cancellation Policy, 8901 Grand Ave Place, Duluth, MN 55808).

The USFS stated that any comments posted directly to social media platforms will not be considered part of the official public record.

"Our aim is simple: Cancel early so others can go," said Forest Supervisor Drew Stroberg in a news release. "By returning permits sooner, we give families, school groups, and first‑time paddlers the lead time they need to plan a safe, meaningful trip—while giving outfitters, lodges, and guides the certainty they need to serve their communities."