Boundary Waters Outfitters

Boundary Waters Canoe Trip Quetico Provincial Park

Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park is adjacent to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area and offers canoeists another option for wilderness adventure. The Quetico is over one million acres in size and operates on a similar system of rules and entry requirements as the Boundary Waters. It is important to note that the Quetico is in Canada and does require a few extra steps to enter, especially with Canadian Customs. (see Canadian Customs at the bottom of this page).

Quetico Permits and Entry Points

Before you may enter Quetico Park an entry permit must be reserved. One permit is required per traveling group and allows up to 9 people and 4 canoes per permit. Quetico operates on a quota system with permits issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. A reservation is made by entry date and entry point(You must enter the wilderness on the date and at the entry point you reserved – this information is printed on your permit.) Each entry point has a specified number of permits available each day – the daily quota. Some entry points have as many as 7 permits available per day and some as few as 1. (see below for a list of entry points and their daily quota) It is important to note that permit reservations are well underway by mid-January so early trip planning is essential, especially if you have a large group and require multiple permits.

Boundary Waters Outfitters will reserve all the permits for your group. We cooperate with Quetico Park and will make all the arrangements for your trip. When you are ready to make a reservation give us a call at 218-365-3466 and we’ll get you going.

Quetico Permit & Camping Fees

Quetico Permits

  • Cost is $10 for permit and $10 Reservation fee per permit group (up to 9 people)

Quetico Camping Fees

  • Cost per Adult: $20 Canadian per night
  • Cost per Youth (6-17 yrs old): $10 Canadian per night

Quetico collects $100 of the camping fees at the time of reservation

#: Name: Daily Quota: #: Name: Daily Quota:
23 Mack Lake 3 52 Sarah Lake 2
31 Cirrus Lake 1 53 Kahshahpiwi Lake 2
32 Quetico Lake 2 61 Agnes Lake 7
42 Maligne South 2 62 Carp Lake 2
43 McAree Lake 2 71 Knife Lake 2
44 Bottle River 2 72 Man Chain 2
51 Basswood River 2 73 Man Chain 2

Before you enter Canada:

Before you may enter Canada and Quetico Park you must first clear customs either in person or by mail. Most groups will need to clear customs through the mail because there just aren’t many customs offices located in the wilderness. To clear customs by mail you will need to obtain, fill out and submit an application for a Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit. This process may take up to six or more weeks so you will want to submit the form well in advance of your trip. A Link to the Canadian Customs website and the proper forms is below.

Remote Area Border Crossing Permit Information RABC/CANPASS Application Form