Quetico Canoe Trips

Permits, Rules & Regs

Just like the Boundary Waters, you must secure a permit to enter Quetico Provincial Park. You must enter the wilderness on the date and at the location designated on your permit. We are here to guide you through the routing process and find the permit that is best for you.

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Quetico has a $36 reservation fee ($11 Quetico Reservation Fee + $25 Outfitting Service Fee). The permit covers up to 9 people. In addition, there is a nightly camping fee in Quetico.

RABC Permit For Quetico

Quetico Fishing Licenses

Quetico Entry Points

Non-Resident Quetico Camping Fees - 2023

Ranger Station	Adult	Youth (6-17 yrs)
Prairie Portage & Cache Bay	$21.47/night	$8.48/night
Beaverhouse, Dawson Trail, & Atikokan	$14.97/night	$6.50/night
Lac La Croix	$14.97/night	$6.50/night

Permit reservations can be made 5 months prior to your entry date. During the off-season (when the Ranger Stations are closed), you must obtain a self-issue permit and pay the necessary fees. Passports are highly recommended for re-entry to the United States. (Though other forms of identification may be accepted, a passport is the fastest and easiest method. Visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more information.)

In addition to a Passport and Quetico Entry Permit, visitors paddling to Quetico from the United States must obtain a Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit to legally enter Canada. All adults must have their own RABC. Dependents 17 years old and younger can be added to a parent or legal guardian’s RABC. Children 17 and under not traveling with their parents or legal guardian must obtain their own RABC. (Only citizens of Canada and the United States can obtain an RABC. Citizens of other countries can still take a Quetico trip, but please call 800-223-6565 to discuss your options.)

US Customs is no longer open in Ely. The best way to check into the United States after a Quetico trip is to use the ROAM APP. If not, you need to check in at an open office like Crane Lake, Duluth, or International Falls.

Quetico Rules & Regs

While in the park, follow all rules and regulations set out by the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, this will preserve the wilderness values that make Quetico such a special place.

- Can and Bottle Ban

Non-burnable, disposable food and beverage containers are not allowed. Fuel, insect repellent, medicine, personal toiletry (non-food & beverage) containers are permitted only. Please carry out all fuel cans.

- Outboard Motors

Motorized access for approved members of the Lac La Croix Guides Association is provided for guiding purposes (less than 10hp). Mechanized access exists for the purpose of assisting the economic independence of LLCFN members. Only 4 guided boats will be permitted on any designated lake per day. The following list of 10 lakes are being utilized by the LLCGA during the year 2013.

Quetico Crooked Tanner Cirrus Minn
Wolseley Beaverhouse* McAree Poohbah* Iron
*Note: To support the Lac La Croix Guides Association aircraft landings may also occur on Beaverhouse and Poohbah lakes. In the fall, trappers may use outboard motors in portions of the park where trapping is permitted. Motors may be used by Ministry personnel conducting research or for the purpose of enforcement and emergencies. All other park users are prohibited from using any outboard motors including electric trolling motors.

- Mechanized Use

It is illegal to possess a power saw, gasoline generator or power ice auger in the park. No person may use a mechanized portage device, portage wheels, all terrain vehicle or similar mechanized equipment in Quetico Provincial Park.

- Party Size

Nine people is the maximum party size allowed on a campsite. It is further recommended that large parties (any group over 5 people) not travel with other parties, but travel separately across lakes and portages.

- Fishing

Quetico Park fishing regulation requires the use of artificial bait and barbless hooks. Live or dead organic bait is not permitted in the park, such as leeches, worms and salted minnows. Live and dead bait can introduce invasive aquatic species. Barbed hooks may be pinched to conform to regulation. Reduce fish mortality by using barbless hooks, keep fish handling to a minimum, use proper fish handling techniques, be aware of fishing regulations and practice catch and release. An Ontario fishing licence is required for fishing and must be in your possession. Licenses will not be available at all park stations and can be purchased prior to your arrival at www.ontario.ca/outdoorscard

- Pets

Pets must be leashed while visiting the park. Non-residents must be able to provide a current vaccination certificate. Please remember to pick up after your pet.
Firearms: Possession of a firearm, including a rifle, shotgun, airgun, pellet gun, paintball gun, slingshot, bow or crossbow is prohibited. Hunting, molesting and harassing wildlife is prohibited.

- Canoes/Kayaks – Boating safety regulations require

One lifejacket or personal flotation device of appropriate size for each person on board
One buoyant heaving line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length
One manual propelling device (i.e. set of oars or paddle) or an anchor with no less than 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination
One bailer or one manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose
Sound-signalling device (whistle)
Watertight flashlight if paddling at night

* Please check current boating requirements to ensure regulations are met at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca

- Litter

Pack out all non-burnable garbage, including tinfoil. You may not leave any litter in a provincial park, except in a place designated for that purpose. Likewise, you must keep your interior campsite clean and sanitary at all times. This will help prevent problems with bears and will also help to preserve Quetico’s wilderness.

- Closed Campsites

You may not camp on sites that are closed to camping. Obey no camping signs.

- Quota System

You must enter Quetico during business hours through the ranger station, on the entry date and entry point designated on your permit. Late arrivals due to high winds will be accommodated.

- Vegetation

It is unlawful to remove, cut or damage any vegetation. For fuel wood, use only dead and downed wood collected from the shoreline and far from your campsite.

- Historical Sites

Quetico has a number of important archaeological sites within its boundaries. You may not remove, damage or deface any relic, artifact or natural object or any site of archaeological or historical interest. You may not disturb these sites, make an excavation for any purpose, or conduct research without written permission from the Minister of Natural Resources.

- Campfires

Use existing fire rings. Fire pits must be built on bare rock or bare mineral soil and kept 1.5-3m from vegetation including overhanging trees. If windy, do not have campfires. Make sure your fire is out, follow tips found in No Trace Camping – Don’t Depend on Fire section. Fires are prohibited in a restricted fire zone. Possession or ignition of fireworks in a provincial park is illegal.

- Equipment Caching

You may not store or leave unattended any watercraft or equipment in the park without the permission of the park superintendent.

- Campsite Structures

Do not build tables, chairs or other structures at your campsite. Please leave the campsite as you found it, taking all your gear with you, including fire grills and grates.

- Noise

Enhance your own experience and the experience of others by keeping noise to a minimum. We also encourage all flights to fly 4,000 ft. above sea level when possible to help reduce noise levels.