Great Lakes state park campgrounds · Boundary Waters permits
When does booking open?
Five states, five different rules, two time zones. Pick where you want to go and your date, and get the exact day and time it becomes bookable, plus a reminder for your calendar.
Find your booking day
Pick a campground (or Boundary Waters permits) and your date. You'll get the day and time it becomes bookable, and a calendar reminder.
Dates to know
- Wednesday, January 27, 2027, 9 a.m. CT (expected)Boundary Waters: every 2027 quota permit (May 1 to September 30 entries) goes on sale, first come, first served. The Forest Service's rule is the last Wednesday in January; 2026's was January 28. Source
- Every day, 9 a.m. CTWisconsin opens one more day, 11 months out. Source
- Every day, 8 a.m. ET weekdays / 9 a.m. weekendsMichigan opens one more day, 6 months out. Source
- Every day, 8 a.m. CTMinnesota opens one more day, 120 days out. Source
- Every day, 12 noon ETIndiana opens one more day, 6 months out (Aug 29 to 31 all open March 1). Source
- Every day, time not publishedOhio opens one more campsite day 6 months out; cabins 12 months out. Source
Booking rules by state
Get the reminder by email
One email the week before the big Great Lakes openings (the Boundary Waters permit day in late January first), and when an agency changes its rules. Nothing else.
Before any reminder, you'll get one email asking you to confirm. It comes from New England Reservations (hello@newenglandreservations.com), our sister site. Unsubscribe anytime. See the privacy policy.
Questions
When do Boundary Waters permits go on sale for 2027?
The Forest Service releases every quota permit for the May 1 to September 30 season at 9 a.m. Central on the last Wednesday in January, first come, first served, on Recreation.gov. For 2027 that rule gives Wednesday, January 27. The 2027 date hasn't been announced yet; in 2026 it was January 28.
How far ahead can you book a Michigan state park campsite?
6 months to the date before arrival. New dates open at 8 a.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Michigan DNR doesn't name the time zone; most of Michigan is on Eastern time.
What time do Wisconsin state park reservations open?
9 a.m. Central, 11 months before the date, online and by phone at the same moment.
How far in advance can you reserve a Minnesota state park campsite?
120 days before arrival. On the first day a date opens, nothing books before 8 a.m. Central.
What time do Indiana state park reservations open?
12 noon Eastern, 6 months before arrival, not midnight. Indiana Dunes is on Central time, so that's 11 a.m. there.
Is this an official reservation site?
No. This is an independent site, not affiliated with any state park agency or the National Park Service. It works out dates from each agency's published rules and links you to the official booking site.
Sources
- USDA Forest Service (Superior NF): Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Permits, checked November 2, 2026.
- WTIP North Shore Community Radio: BWCAW permit reservations open end of January (2026), checked November 2, 2026.
- Michigan DNR FAQ: Reservations, modifications and cancelations, checked November 2, 2026.
- Wisconsin DNR: Camping Reservation Frequently Asked Questions, checked November 2, 2026.
- Minnesota DNR: Reservations — Common questions, checked November 2, 2026.
- Ohio DNR: Ohio State Parks Reservation Policy, checked November 2, 2026.
- Indiana DNR: Camping Business Rules (PDF on Indiana State Parks Reservations), checked November 2, 2026.
Rules change. Always confirm on the official site before you rely on a date.