Just got this via email, thought you all might be interested.  A good change!

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New Phone Number and New Rates:
Two of Several Changes in the BWCAW Reservation System


Duluth, MN__As part of our ongoing service to the visiting public, managers on the Superior National Forest have been working with the contractor over the past few years on several changes to increase efficiency of the wilderness permit reservation system.   

One of the outcomes is a reduction in the reservation fee for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits.  Effective March 1, 2011, the fee to reserve a BWCAW permit will drop from $12.00 to $6.00.

Some of the changes contributing to a more stream-lined service that requires less time on the part of the contractor and the opportunity to reduce reservation fees include:

       Merging the BWCAW reservation service with the National Recreation Reservation System, which is the “one-stop” on-line reservation service for all federal lands in the U.S.

       Reduced paper work by eliminating requirements for printing, mailing and carbon copies.

       Increased efficiency in operating the annual BWCAW permit lottery.   For example: It now takes about 30 minutes to run, versus an entire day previously, and confirmation letters are emailed instantly.   

       Ability of Forest Service staff to now enter information directly into the system rather than involve contract staff.   

       Eliminated “no pays” equaling thousands of $$ each season.  We now have instant credit card processing.

       Cooperator access to issue walk-up permits (formerly “quick permits”) via computer.

       Customer ability to cancel reservations on-line, changes group size and make payments prior to permit pick-up.

Another change merged the BWCAW call center and customer service numbers into the centralized National Recreation Reservation System number.  This actually extended the hours of operation significantly.   


National Recreation Reservation Service:  877- 444-6777
March 1 to October 31, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, Central time
November 1 to February 28, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Central time