BWCA and Quetico Park
Permit and Camping Regulations
Travel permits are required for all groups entering both the BWCA (U.S. side) and Quetico Park (Canadian side) wilderness areas. These permits, required for each group of up to 9 people, are limited by a daily quota system for each entry point. Early reservations are important as these permits go quickly and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting in January for BWCA (US) trips and 5 months in advance for Quetico Park (Canadian) trips. To reserve a permit we must have your reservation finalized including a valid credit card number. This information is necessary for both the US and Canadian reservation centers to process your permit.
BWCA:
For U.S. trips there is a $6 nonrefundable reservation fee plus a camping fee of $16/person/trip ($8 for 17 years old & under or presenting an Interagency Pass). At the time of your reservation, $38 will be charged to your credit card. Any remaining fees will be charged to your credit card at the time of your trip departure.
PLEASE NOTE:
1) NO metal cans or glass bottles are allowed on the lakes (plastic is OK.)
2) The BWCA has numerous designated campsites with steel fire grates and box latrines which are on a first come first served basis (you are not permitted to camp on undesignated sites.)
3) Permits are valid only for the date and entry point specified and can only be picked up by the party leader or alternate listed on the permit reservation.
We are able to issue these permits onsite. This business operates on behalf of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness program located within the Superior National Forest. As a BWCAW Program Permit Issue Station, this business is an equal opportunity service provider.
BWCA RULES AND REGULATIONS LINK
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/recreation/boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness
RESORT GUESTS
Permits are also required in certain areas that our resort guests fish by motor boat on a daily basis. These permits are $6/day for a group of up to 9 people.
Quetico Park:
Quetico Park trips also have park quota system that requires advanced reservations, but there is also another step in obtaining clearance to enter Canada in our remote area. Currently you can only access Quetico if you had a customs clearance permit formally known as an RABC that was issued for the 2024 season. A new Canadian Customs system which has you check in by phone is in the works, but we don't have information yet on when this system will be in place. So for now the only folks that are able to access our area of Quetico would be for folks that had an RABC that was valid during the 2024 season that has now been extended through 2026. No new RABC's are being issued. So until this phone system is set up at a date that is still to be determined, the only visitors that are able to enter Quetico would be folks with the existing RABC's in their possesion from 2024.
The Quetico Permit website for the Quetico Provincial Park permits through Ontario Parks is at https://www.ontarioparks.ca/en . We are able to reserve these permits for you. These permit reservations need to be done ahead of time to be sure of permit availability. You should also obtain your fishing licenses ahead of time and fishing license requirements for these Canadian trips needs to be done on your own. I have the fishing license information listed in the fishing license part of our site, and these links on our Fishing License page has more information on Ontario Fishing Licenses.
To reserve a Quetico Permit, a deposit of approximately $100 will be charged when making the reservation. The entire camping fees are $21.47 /person/day in Canadian funds ($8.48 for 17 & under) plus an Ontario Park reservation fee of $11.00 less. We recommend that you pay the remainder of your fees online just prior to the trip when you know your exact group and the exact numbers of days, although you can also pay this at the ranger station upon check in. In can save you a bit of time to have it done before checking in at the Ranger Station where you will have your permit issued to you.
PLEASE NOTE:
1) NO metal cans or glass bottles are allowed (plastic is OK.)
2) Quetico has no designated campsites, although you may not clear vegetation to create a new one (they are also on a first come first served basis.)
3) Permits are valid only for the date and entry point specified and can only be picked up by the party leader or alternate listed on the permit reservation.
4) Firearms are prohibitted in Quetico Park. Pepper spray must state it is for use on animals only.
5) Canada requires any pet to have a current shots and health certifcate.
6) Live & dead bait (organic) is prohibited in Quetico and hooks USED must have pinched barbs.
The final requirement will be for checking back into the USA at the end of the Quetico trip. US Customs requires the use of the CBP ROAM app with a link at CBP Reporting Offsite Arrival – Mobile (ROAM) to return to the U.S. from Canadian trips (not to enter CANADA). What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea?
• U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Passport Card; Enhanced Driver’s License; Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST); U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.
• U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious group, or other youth group) need only present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy.
For our customers booking Quetico trips, please feel free to contact us with your questions on these requirements as well as up to date information about the status of the border crossing procedures.