Permits but not Passports

     The Quetico Provincial Park in Canada is a special place to enjoy a wilderness canoe camping adventure.  The rugged portages and lack of designated campsites makes the Quetico all the more appealing to some outdoor enthusiasts. Since the Quetico Park is such a special place there are special rules and regulations that must be followed in order to partake in such an experience.

     The recent passport laws have added some confusion to groups wanting to paddle in the Quetico Park.  Although a number of permits must be obtained prior to a Quetico Canoe trip a passport is not one of them this year.  If you were flying into Canada via a major airline then you would need a passport but paddling your way into Canada from the border of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness without a passport is fine in 2007. 

     The uniqueness of this wilderness area allows a person to cross into Canada without checking into Customs.  A Remote Area Border Crossing Permit allows a person to travel into Canada in this remote area and these applications can be downloaded from this website.  The permit must then be mailed to Canadian Immigrations where it can take from 3-6 weeks to process. 

     An entry point permit is required to enter into the Quetico Park and overnight camping permits must be purchased as well.  The cost of overnight camping fees has been increasing and for the 2007 the rates are $20.00/person/night for guests 18 years of age and older and $8.00/person/night for guests 6-17 years of age.  The price to reserve a Quetico Permit is $12.00 plus an additional $100.00 deposit is taken at the time of the reservation.

       The Quetico is a great place to paddle and Voyageur would love to be a part of your trip.  Our location on the Seagull River is the most convenient for groups with a Quetico Permit to enter through Cache Bay.  Guests can paddle or tow right from our dock into Saganaga.        

     We can reserve your permit for you if you know the start date of your trip, desired entry point, and have a credit card ready for the $112.00 fee.  You may also reserve your own permit by calling the reservation line at  877-550-6777.  We hope to see you at Voyageur this summer.