The permit
Quota permits are required for overnight paddle trips from May 1 – September 30; outside that window permits are free and self-issued (October 1 – April 30). Standard fees are a $6 reservation fee plus $16 per adult and $8 per youth/senior — verify current amounts on Recreation.gov.
Access & route
Method of travel is paddle. Access is a canoe landing at Sawbill Lake. For more information, please call the Tofte Ranger Station in Tofte at 218-663-7280.
Description: USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest.
The water you'll paddle
This entry point puts in on Sawbill Lake, where clarity runs about 6.6 feet. Its nutrient and algae readings, from state and federal monitoring, are on its page. See the full lake page →
Location
Watch permit season for Sawbill Lake
Get a reminder when Boundary Waters permit reservations open, plus our free trip-planning guide.
Keep exploring
Frequently Asked Questions
Entry Point 38 (Sawbill Lake) releases 11 overnight-paddle permits per day during the May 1–September 30 quota season. Reserve early — low-quota entry points fill fast.
Reserve through Recreation.gov's Boundary Waters permit. There's no direct link to a single entry point — open the availability grid, choose "Sawbill Lake" and your start date, and complete the reservation.
Yes, but it's free and self-issued. From October 1 to April 30, fill out a self-issued permit at the entry point. The quota and reservation apply May 1–September 30.