Home / May 2026

BWCA Permit Availability: May 2026

See when weekend permits typically disappear for BWCA entry points in May. Set up free alerts to get notified when permits become available.

Entry Point Weekend Pattern Action
Angleworm Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Baker Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Bog Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Bower Trout Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Brant Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Brule Lake Gone in May Set Alert
Brule Lake Only No OP weekend data Set Alert
Clearwater Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Crab Lake & Cummings Lake Gone in April Set Alert
Crocodile River Gone in February Set Alert
Cross Bay Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Daniels Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Duncan Lake Gone in January Set Alert
East Bearskin Gone in January Set Alert
Fall Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Farm Lake Gone in February Set Alert
From Big Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Hog Creek Gone in February Set Alert
Homer Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Isabella Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Island River Gone in March Set Alert
John Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Kawishiwi Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Lac LaCroix Only Gone in March Set Alert
Lake One Gone in February Set Alert
Lake One #30F No OP weekend data Set Alert
Larch Creek Gone in March Set Alert
Little Gabbro Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Little Indian Sioux North Gone in January Set Alert
Little Indian Sioux SOUTH Gone in March Set Alert
Little Isabella River Gone in February Set Alert
Little Vermilion Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Lizz and Swamp Lakes Gone in January Set Alert
Magnetic Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Meeds Lake Gone in April Set Alert
Missing Link Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Moose Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Moose River South Gone in February Set Alert
Moose/Portage River North Gone in January Set Alert
Morgan Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Mudro Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Mudro Lake Restricted Gone in January Set Alert
North Fowl Lake Gone in April Set Alert
North Kawishiwi River Gone in February Set Alert
Pine Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Ram Lake Gone in January Set Alert
Saganaga Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Saganaga Lake Only No OP weekend data Set Alert
Sawbill Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Seagull Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Seagull Lake Only No OP weekend data Set Alert
Skipper & Portage Lakes Gone in May Set Alert
Slim Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Snake River Gone in January Set Alert
Snowbank Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Snowbank Lake Restricted Gone in February Set Alert
South Hegman Lake Gone in February Set Alert
South Kawishiwi River Gone in January Set Alert
South Lake Gone in February Set Alert
Stuart River Gone in January Set Alert
Trout Lake Gone in March Set Alert
Wood Lake Gone in January Set Alert

Tips for Securing a BWCA Permit

Book Early

Weekend pattern uses cleaned 2026 history: the first month when at least half of an entry point's Friday-Sunday dates had opened and then reached zero.

Monitor Cancellations

Plans change! Set up alerts to catch permits when others cancel their reservations.

Be Flexible

Track multiple entry points. Less popular ones often have more availability.

Don't Miss Out on May 2026

Set up free alerts and be first in line when permits become available.

Start Tracking for Free

May 2026 Permit FAQs

Are BWCA permits available in May 2026?

It depends on the entry point and your exact dates. Popular weekends in May sell out early, but cancellations open up all season. The table above shows the typical pattern — set an alert to catch openings.

When are May 2026 permits released?

BWCA quota permits go on sale on Recreation.gov a few months before the season, and the best dates get reserved within minutes of release.

How do I get notified when a permit opens up?

Pick an entry point and date, and we'll watch Recreation.gov around the clock. The second a permit frees up, you get an email. It's free to start.

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Check permit availability for peak BWCA paddling season.

Built by paddlers from Minnesota. We monitor Recreation.gov 24/7 so you don't have to.

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