Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misidentified Jason Zabokrtsky's outfitting company. It should have been identified as the Ely Outfitting Co. The Timberjay regrets the error. 

REGIONAL— If you’re planning a wilderness canoe trip in the Boundary Waters this summer, you’ll want to finalize those plans before Wednesday, Jan. 29. That’s when permit reservations open for the season and getting yours can be a matter of timing as the available permits go quickly, particularly for the most popular dates and entry points.
Last year, nearly six-in-ten of available overnight permits were reserved opening day, so those who delay can be left with limited options. Overnight permits are required for campers wanting to enter the wilderness during the quota season, which runs May 1-Sept. 30.
If you’re using the services of an outfitter, you have the option of letting them reserve your permit. For years, that was typically the best way to ensure you’d get your first choice of dates and entry point.
But that’s no longer the case, according to Jason Zabokrtsky with the Ely Outfitting Co., in Ely. While outfitters used to make use of a bank of computers to make reservations, the Forest Service now limits outfitters to just three computers. And with hundreds of reservations to make on opening day, Zabokrtsky said they can no longer be confident of obtaining the reservations clients want.
“Five years ago, about 90 percent of the time we could get their first choice of entry point and date,” said Zabokrtsky. “Now, we tell them they may have a better chance of getting their first choice if they do it themselves.”
If you’re thinking of making a reservation yourself, Zabokrtsky said to be online and signed into www.recreation.gov ahead of the 9 a.m. central opening of the Boundary Waters reservations. If you don’t already have an account on recreation.gov, set it up beforehand so you’re not spending time establishing an account as reservations are snapped up by others. You can also obtain a permit by phone at 1-877-444-6777. The U.S. Forest Service recommends using the Chrome browser for the best experience.
Other tips that can help you obtain a reservation include:
• Have alternative dates if you can’t get your first choice. Zabokrtsky says Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the least popular days of the week for wilderness entry so if you have some flexibility, consider entering on those days. Other times are also busier than others. Zabokrtsky said demand for Memorial Day weekend permits is always high, while interest over the 4th of July holiday drops sharply. June and early July are periods for anglers, while July and early August attract lots of families.
• Have alternative entry points in mind as well if your first choice fills up early. Some entry points, which provide easier access to popular routes can be gone within minutes, so have a few other entry options if that’s the case. Have them planned out in advance and written down so you can adjust on the fly. The forest service recommends having at least three travel options to help you lock down at least one permit.
• Even if you don’t lock down your first choices for your trip, keep an eye out on recreation.gov. The forest service notes that people frequently reserve more permits than they can use and many of them are later canceled. As soon as that happens, they become available again on the system. “That happens a lot,” said Zabokrtsky, who notes that he uses the alert system on paddleplanner.com, which can send you a notification as soon as a permit you’ve indicated becomes available. According to the forest service, over 11,000 permits were later canceled, which can occasionally free up even some of the hardest-to-get permits.
Be considerate of others
Keep in mind, you’re not the only person trying to reserve a Boundary Waters permit. If everyone took steps to be considerate, it would allow more people to get the permits they’re seeking.
The forest service recommends several things that visitors can do to ease some of the frustration surrounding permit reservations, including:
• Only reserve permits you know you can use.
• Only reserve one permit per day. The forest service reserves the right to cancel multiple same day, overlapping, and consecutive reservations under the same permit holder name without notification.
• Cancel your reservation on recreation.gov as soon as you know you can’t use it. That helps to ensure that someone who can use it can make their trip a reality. The forest service has noted that the number of people who reserve permits and then don’t pick them up, so-called “no-shows,” has been on the rise in recent years. By failing to cancel their reservations, these individuals are denying others the opportunity to visit the wilderness. In addition, canceling is the only way to obtain a refund of the recreation fee associated with the permit. The $6 reservation fee, however, is not refundable.
Other things to keep in mind when making your Boundary Waters reservation include:
• Be sure to check the box under group member names to select alternate leaders who can pick up the permit instead of the permit holder. Alternates cannot be added later.
• Permits are not transferable. Only the permit holder or alternates can pick up the permit and photo ID will be required. Permits must be picked up on the entry date or one day prior.
According to the forest service, sound trip planning make all the difference when it comes to your visit to the wilderness. For those bothered by biting insects, don’t plan your trip for June or early July. However, if you want great fishing, June is probably your best choice.
If you like to swim or want to hunt for ripe blueberries, plan your trip for early August.
If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy fall colors, the second half of September is a good choice. And if you want to avoid the quota system altogether, and don’t mind unpredictable weather, early October can be a good choice.
There are lots of options to be sure, so with a little planning you can have the wilderness experience you’ve been dreaming of.