BWCAW Permit Reservation and Fees
In the BWCAW there is a reservation fee of $20 per permit, covering up to 9 people for your entire trip. In addition, there is a camping fee of $16 per adult per trip and $8 per youth 17 years old and under per trip. These fees must be paid when the permit reservation is made. The $20 reservation fee is non-refundable. Permits are issued on a daily basis for all locations and are more readily available for mid-week entry. All arrangements for your reservations will be made by us upon receipt of your trip plans.
Reserve your permit and gear today online
Call (800)223-6565 or e-mail Bert Heep or Drew Brockett for help routing and planning a great canoe trip...
Quetico Permit Reservation and Fees
In Quetico there is a permit fee of $30 per permit. In addition, there is a nightly camping fee per adult per night and per youth under 18 years of age per night. The $30 permit fee is non-refundable. Please call Bert or Drew at 1-800-223-6565 for more information about nightly camping fees in Quetico as these vary depending on location.
RABC- If you are taking a trip to Canada in the Quetico Provincial Park you may require a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC) -- $30 per adult or $30 per family. You will find the current info and application online direct from customs. Everyone entering at Prairie Portage will require this RABC as well as those entering by several other locations such as Clay Lake fly-ins and in some instances Lac La Croix fly ins. Please note: The RABC application process can take some time and campers requiring it are encouraged to apply well in advance of their trip. Click here to contact customs and download the form needed.
BOUNDARY WATERS AND QUETICO ENTRY POINTS
Choosing a wilderness entry point is the first and most important step in planning your route. The type of scenery, variety of wildlife, number of other travellers and the length of your trip will all depend on which entry point you choose.
There are more than 70 entry points into the Boundary Waters but only 29 into the Quetico Park.
The best way to assure that your trip is everything you want it to be is to contact one of our outfitting coordinators who will help you plan a route. If you prefer larger lakes with fewer portages, and you don't mind sharing your wilderness with other visitors, that's fine. Or maybe you prefer smaller lakes and tiny creeks, and you don't mind frequent portages? If you're in good shape and you want a long, tough portage right away to enable a quick escape from most other visitors, just tell us. If you prefer to camp on lakes with only one campsite, we'll help you find those lakes. If you want to be dropped off at an entry point far from Ely, that's just fine with us, too. We'll take you anywhere you want to go. We'll help you find an entry point and a route that suits the skills and desires of your group.
What's right for one group is not always right for another. That's why every route we plan is different from all other routes. A map of the proposed route marked with highlights and other useful notes will be sent to you in advance of your scheduled arrival.
BWCAW Entry Points
Quetico Entry Points
Camping Regulations
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is the most popular wilderness park in America. As a result, the Forest Service has imposed quotas at every one of the entry points for the BWCA, and similar restrictions apply to Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park. A host of rules and regulations have been made to ensure that the wilderness is not abused - rules affecting the types of food and drink containers that can be taken into the parks, the number of people who can travel together, where you may camp, how to acquire camping permits, and how to make reservations for those permits, to name a few. Among the most important regulations are:
--Party size restriction is nine people and four canoes.
--Bottles and cans for food beverages are not allowed in the canoe areas.
--Firearms are illegal in the Quetico Park.
--Dogs are permitted with a rabies certificate.
--In the BWCAW you must camp at a designated campsite.
--Campfires may be banned due to weather conditions.
--Fishing licenses are required in Minnesota and Canada.
FISHING LICENSES
We have Minnesota fishing licenses available for sale and a selection of lures and tackle that have proven successful, all for modest fees. Canadian fishing licenses can be purchased at the Ranger Station in Quetico Park.
PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND RETURN POLICY
Payment of cash, check, travellers check, American Express, Master Card, Visa, or Discover Card will be accepted for your convenience. Trips and reservations cancelled at least fourteen days in advance will be refunded deposit less $50. No deposit is refunded for trips or reservations cancelled within two weeks of scheduled departure.
If the trip should be terminated early we will be pleased to refund everything but the last two days, on equipment only.
Quick Links for your Convenience:
How do I reserve gear, canoes and permits online?:
Use our quick and easy online service to reserve your permit and gear today
What Gear is supplied? What do I need to Bring:
Boundary Waters Canoe Camping Gear Lists
What will we eat?:
Select your meals from our trip menu options
What should I expect from the weather?:
Ely Area Average Temperatures and Precipitation
