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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Quetico Forum

campsites?

Author:

Date/Time: 05/22/2013 04:56AM

Subject: campsites?

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<quote>quote Ho Ho: "Technically and legally, you can camp anywhere in Quetico.  Realistically, for most people, you camp at spots that have been used before - many for centuries - where there are decent tent pads, a fire ring, etc.

Because the traditional campsites aren't officially designated, there is no comprehensive and reliable inventory or map of them (unlike for the BWCA).  The published maps like Fisher are filled with mistakes in campsite markings - there are many many more campsites than marked, and on the other hand some of the marked "campsites" don't exist on the ground.

A great resource for Quetico campsites is the Paddlers Campsite Database (PCD) (<a href=http://w3.cs.jmu.edu/arch/hobbies/camp/maps/quet-pcd/code/index.php>click here for link</a>).  It shows many many more POSSIBLE campsites than the printed maps.  Many of these alleged campsites do not exist, but the PCD is a good place to get ideas where to look.  I mark my map with Xs on all the PCD sites beforehand and check out possible sites on the ground when I want to camp.  I generally ignore the ratings, though (except insofar as they indicate that a site actually exists), because in my view campsites rated 5-star tend to be overused and undesirable.  Also, keep in mind that there are some campsites that are not shown on ANY map or database, including the PCD - my favorite campsite ever (on Secret Lake) is like that.

One last note on the PCD - it's the most accurate source for Quetico portage locations (the Chrismar map sold by the Park is also very very accurate on portages but does not show campsites).

Lost Bay extends west from North Bay of Basswood Lake.  It's on the way to nowhere and is a nice place to visit or camp.  The Fisher map shows no campsites on Lost Bay.  The PCD shows 4 or 5.  I've stayed at one of them and confirmed the existence of 3 others, so this is a good example of how the maps are incomplete.

Since you don't have to portage to get from Lincoln Island to North Bay, figure on making 2 to 3 miles per hour.  Shouldn't take too long. The only problem you might encounter is wind on that big open water.  Mark the possible campsites along the way in case you get windbound.  Remember, the journey is the destination."</quote>

Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
stratosjoe	06/27/2008 03:29PM ho ho you area surprisingly young looking man for 108 and my wife wondered how you were doing on suing the government!
bogwalker	06/27/2008 01:39PM To futher clarify about BWCAW campsites. Even though a red dot exists on the map it does not mean you can camp there. There must be a fire grate and a latrine in camp to be able to camp there in the Boundary Waters. Periodically the US Forest Service closes sites to give them a chance to recover. If no fire grate exists near the water you can not camp there. 99% of red dots are still campsites and some campsites are not on maps. So look for the the fire grate and latrine. If you only have a Boundary Waters Entry Permit you can only camp on US soil in BW campsites. Some of the lakes you will be on share the border with Canada. Be sure you are staying on the US side of the border unless you have proper Quetico permits and RABC or Canadian Customs clearance.
stratosjoe	06/27/2008 01:30PM Gentlemen I really appreciate the input have a safe & great summer.Joe
Ho Ho	06/27/2008 12:23PM Technically and legally, you can camp anywhere in Quetico. Realistically, for most people, you camp at spots that have been used before - many for centuries - where there are decent tent pads, a fire ring, etc. Because the traditional campsites aren't officially designated, there is no comprehensive and reliable inventory or map of them (unlike for the BWCA). The published maps like Fisher are filled with mistakes in campsite markings - there are many many more campsites than marked, and on the other hand some of the marked "campsites" don't exist on the ground. A great resource for Quetico campsites is the Paddlers Campsite Database (PCD) (click here for link). It shows many many more POSSIBLE campsites than the printed maps. Many of these alleged campsites do not exist, but the PCD is a good place to get ideas where to look. I mark my map with Xs on all the PCD sites beforehand and check out possible sites on the ground when I want to camp. I generally ignore the ratings, though (except insofar as they indicate that a site actually exists), because in my view campsites rated 5-star tend to be overused and undesirable. Also, keep in mind that there are some campsites that are not shown on ANY map or database, including the PCD - my favorite campsite ever (on Secret Lake) is like that. One last note on the PCD - it's the most accurate source for Quetico portage locations (the Chrismar map sold by the Park is also very very accurate on portages but does not show campsites). Lost Bay extends west from North Bay of Basswood Lake. It's on the way to nowhere and is a nice place to visit or camp. The Fisher map shows no campsites on Lost Bay. The PCD shows 4 or 5. I've stayed at one of them and confirmed the existence of 3 others, so this is a good example of how the maps are incomplete. Since you don't have to portage to get from Lincoln Island to North Bay, figure on making 2 to 3 miles per hour. Shouldn't take too long. The only problem you might encounter is wind on that big open water. Mark the possible campsites along the way in case you get windbound. Remember, the journey is the destination.
suko	06/27/2008 11:37AM BWCA you must camp on the designated red dot. Quetico, you can set up a gypsy camp but stick with the no trace ethic or eventually the whole shore will be one big campsite.
stratosjoe	06/27/2008 09:40AM More dumb questions. I have a map that shows all the designated campsites. Can you camp anywhere else or do you have to use the marked spots. I was told Ranger & lost bay would be a good areas to fish. I found Ranger but Lost must really be lost I can't find it. All things being normal two Real amateurs paddling from Lincoln Island to Ranger Bay should take how long? Same starting point to north end of North Bay.

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