Hey all. My friends and I are planning our third annual bwca trip and want to head into Quetico this time. Any suggestions as to a good route and entry point? Also, what is involved with getting passes for Quetico? If we enter through the U.S., do we pay for both U.S. and Quetico passes? Any info is appreciated - Thanks!

I will answer some of the questions.

It depends on where you enter as to what you need.
If you enter through Canada you would go through customs driving up and thus have no need to get an RABC (remore area border crossing permit) If you enter from the US say through Moose lake and Prairie Portage which it sounds like you might, then you need an RABC to enter. Prairie portage is no longer a customs office and only a park office to pay your park fees at. An RABC takes about 30-45 days to get and you can do it online.

Permits. You can call 5 months in advnce for a permit for the entry point you want. There is no online system you have to call the park. The number is 1-888-668-7275 and you should plan on calling 5 months to the day of when you wnat to enter if you will have a chance at getting your permit. So if you wanted to enter on July 11th you should have called today.

You should only need a Quetico permit as most people only spend the day and not overnight camp in the BWCAW. Many who go to Quetico use an outfitter to get a tow to the ranger station so they get their permit early morning and get into the park quicker. An outfitter can help you with this.

Route. If you are needing a tow-which I would recommend, then you are working with an outfitter. Ask the outfitter for route recommendations based on your trip goals, time in the park, experience level etc. Quetico is different then BWCAW as their are fewer people in the park, much fewer, on a daily basis. You may and will go some days without seeing anyone. You need to know what you are doing and be good at reading a map and self-sufficent.

Expense-Quetico is more expensive as their is a camping charge per day for each person where with BWCAW you pay for your permit no matter how many days. With the RABC charge (an RABC is good for up to two years), reservation charge and camping fees it will cost more. Then their is the tow which is $20 per person each way if only going Moose to Prairie Portage. At least you do not need BWCAW fees unless you camp overnight on the US side.

Fishing. You can buy a conservation license which allows you to fish for 7 days. Cost about $22.00 and can be purcahsed at the Ranger station. You can not bring leeches or minnows from the US. You can bring worms in bedding, but they will check and dump them if it is not right. Work with an outfitter again.

Theres a start, get started and ask more questions as they come up. It really is not that tough, it is only a fair amount of steps you need to do.

Correction. I should have said the RABC forms are on line. You need to print it up and mail it in with the proper information and documents. An RABC can apply to a family, but each person not related will need their own. If any of those persons have been convited of a felony or a DWI/DUI in the last 5 years, you may not get your RABC. Be truthful-if you do not put it down and they find out-and they will-you definitely wil not get it. If you have had a problem there may be ways around it-you just need to contact the Canadian Customs to discuss. You will not get passed the Ranger station without an RABC-no exceptions. Be sure to bring it with you and have it with you at all times as well as a picture ID from the states-drivers license will do. Also have one person ready to pay the fees with a credit card. They will not convert US dollars to Canadian. If the charge is $40 Canadian and you want to pay cash it will be $40 US.

wow, thanks for all of the info, helps a ton. just wonderin if you think it would be cheaper to go with a tow or just drive up and start in canada (is there a customs toll?). thanks again.

It depends on your entry and where you are going. It is only an option if you want to do an entry in Canada.

By the time you figure gas both ways to get to a Canadian entry point it is probably cheaper and easier to go through US and Prairie portage with a tow. Figure out where you want to go and call an outfitter. Or keep it simple for your first trip and go in through Moose Lake and Prairie Portage. Lots of good outfitters there who can help you out.