The first thing you should know about visiting the Boundary Waters is that you must always have a permit to enter, even if just for an afternoon of paddling. If you are entering from May 1st through September 30th for an overnight trip you are required to have a Forest Service issued permit, typically one reserved months in advance. The availability of these overnight permits is limited by a quota system controlling exactly where and when you may enter the Boundary Waters. The quota system was implemented in an effort to preserve the wilderness qualities of the Boundary Waters, and has undergone various changes over the years.

If you are entering before May 1st or after September 30th you do not need to get an advance permit issued by the Forest Service, but can issue your own at each entry to the Wilderness. Similarly, from May 1 to September 30th, if you are on a day trip that does not involve overnight camping, and won't have a motor, you can issue your own permit when you enter the Wilderness. If you will have a motor from May 1 to September 30th, you must still have a Forest Service issued permit even for day trip.

These rules are summarized below.