January 2026
Permit-Season Planning Access
January is the busiest planning month of the year. To support trip planning as permits open,
Map Enthusiast members can plan with Expedition Leader tools during January.
Late January sign-ups receive a minimum access period. Expedition Leader members already have full access year-round.
How it works
This January-only permit-season access is designed to help members plan confidently for Boundary Waters,
Quetico, Algonquin, and other trips.
Summary:
Map Enthusiast members can use Expedition Leader tools during January.
Late January new memberships receive a minimum access period.
Who gets access?
- Map Enthusiast (active in January): Expedition Leader tools available during January.
- New Map Enthusiast purchases late in January: receive a minimum of 14 days of access.
- Expedition Leader members: no change - full access year-round.
What happens after January?
Permit-season access ends automatically after the access window. To keep Expedition Leader tools year-round,
you can upgrade at any time.
FAQ
What Expedition Leader tools are included during January?
During January permit season, active Map Enthusiast members can use Expedition Leader-only planning tools, including:
- Detailed Route Reports - a single, printable view of your full route with trip details
- Multiple Permit Notifications - set more than one alert as permits open
- High-resolution map exports - save maps as images for printing or sharing
- GeoTIFF map exports - georeferenced maps for use in GIS apps and offline navigation tools
- Advanced GPX downloads - route GPX files, campsite GPX, and portage tracks
These tools are provided for permit-season planning only. To keep Expedition Leader tools year-round, you can upgrade at any time.
Is this a free trial?
No. This is a January permit-season planning bonus. Paddle Planner also offers a separate
one-time 7-day Expedition Leader trial year-round.
Do I get 14 extra days if I renew mid-January?
The 14-day minimum access period is intended for new Map Enthusiast purchases late in January.
Renewals do not restart or extend this buffer.
What if my Map Enthusiast membership expires in January?
January permit-season access is available while your Map Enthusiast membership is active. If your membership expires,
access ends unless you renew.
Will Expedition Leader members be affected?
No. Expedition Leader members already have full access year-round, and nothing changes.
Does permit-season access include a free McKenzie Map?
No. January permit-season planning access does not include a free McKenzie Map.
McKenzie Maps are included with annual Expedition Leader memberships.
If you'd like the free map, you can upgrade to Expedition Leader at any time - including after January.
When does permit-season access end?
Permit-season access runs through January 31, 2026 for January access.
Late January new memberships receive a minimum access period.
Will this January permit-season access be offered every year?
No. This permit-season access is specific to this January and this planning cycle.
Paddle Planner updates promotions and planning tools from year to year, and future
January offerings may be different.
Tip: If you're planning for Boundary Waters permits (opening January 28), now is the best time to build routes,
compare campsites, and finalize options.
