Entry Point #49
Don't miss your chance to paddle from Skipper & Portage Lakes. We monitor Recreation.gov 24/7 and email you the moment a permit becomes available.
The black marker shows Skipper & Portage Lakes. Grey markers show nearby entry points you might also consider.
Weekend availability at Skipper & Portage Lakes varies by month. The earlier a month typically sells out, the sooner you'll want to book it.
| Month | Typical weekend outlook |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Often available all season |
| June 2026 | Often available all season |
| July 2026 | Often available all season |
| August 2026 | Usually gone by May |
| September 2026 | Often available all season |
Based on the 2026 permit season tracked on Recreation.gov. For each entry point we follow its most popular weekend entry dates (Thursday-Saturday) and estimate when they typically reach about 80% booked. 'Usually gone by March' means you generally need to book by then; 'Often available all season' means weekend dates usually stay open. Cancellations free up permits all season too, so set a free alert to catch them.
Choose the dates you want to enter at Skipper & Portage Lakes.
Our system checks Recreation.gov around the clock for cancellations.
When a permit opens up, we email you so you can book it fast.
Set up a free alert and be first in line when permits open.
Start Tracking for FreeBWCA quota permits are released on Recreation.gov a few months ahead, and the popular dates go fast. Pick your entry date — and if Skipper & Portage Lakes is already taken, we'll keep watching it for you.
Sold out isn't the end. People cancel reservations all season, and the moment a permit for Skipper & Portage Lakes (Entry Point #49) frees up, we email you so you can grab it.
Fast. A cancelled permit can be re-booked within minutes, so we send your alert the instant we see the opening. Book as soon as you get it.
Watching one entry point is free. If you want to track several trips at once, there's a paid plan — but start free and see if we're useful first.
Permit season runs May through September, and summer weekends are the most competitive. Dates in May and September are usually easier to land.
Check permit availability for peak BWCA paddling season.
Explore permit alerts for every entry point in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Built by paddlers from Minnesota. We monitor Recreation.gov 24/7 so you don't have to.