...I am still hopeful that Quetico will open from the southern EPs this summer. The number of cases of Covid in Canada has already started a very rapid downward turn. Thankfully they are Omicron, not Delta.

In a few weeks it is possible the number of cases may be deemed manageable. There is certainly a lot of pressure on the government from the economic side of things to loosen some of the restrictions. Lots of procedures to work out, but I still think there may be a reasonable chance it could happen.

I know there are reasons why it may not happen but as they say: Hope Springs Eternal.

I share your optimism and hopes. But if I have to drive to a northern entry point to take a Quetico trip, I'll do it. Let's stay positive!

TZ

So, do all of you crossing the border use a passport?

Mocha: "So, do all of you crossing the border use a passport? "

I live in Michigan so I can use an enhanced driver's license. I believe Minnesota has them as well.

I have a passport and my family has passports. I also applied for the passport card which is good by land entry only.

The enhance license in Minnesota is a huge PIA to get! It took my mom like 5 months to get through the process multiple trips to the office to maybe finally get hers. She could have dealt with the passport in one trip. Seriously it’s just stupid how hard the enhanced license is here in Minnesota. It’s easier to get a concealed carry permit by far.

Ryan

Gaidin53: "I have a passport and my family has passports. I also applied for the passport card which is good by land entry only.


The enhance license in Minnesota is a huge PIA to get! It took my mom like 5 months to get through the process multiple trips to the office to maybe finally get hers. She could have dealt with the passport in one trip. Seriously it’s just stupid how hard the enhanced license is here in Minnesota. It’s easier to get a concealed carry permit by far.


Ryan"

That stinks. Only took one trip to the SOS and a couple of questions from my birth certificate and done. Sounds like the passport card is a good option as well.

Mocha: "So, do all of you crossing the border use a passport? "

Yes, we've both held passports for ~45 years. Used them last August to hit Algonquin PP (Quetico was closed by wildfires) to get our paddling fix. And just made reservations for a July trip to Italy's Dolomite region. Planning Quetico for August, and hoping for southern entry. Trying to wear out the passports!

TZ

Gaidin53: "I have a passport and my family has passports. I also applied for the passport card which is good by land entry only.


The enhance license in Minnesota is a huge PIA to get! It took my mom like 5 months to get through the process multiple trips to the office to maybe finally get hers. She could have dealt with the passport in one trip. Seriously it’s just stupid how hard the enhanced license is here in Minnesota. It’s easier to get a concealed carry permit by far.


Ryan"

I got an enhanced license last renewal (in Minnesota). No trouble at all unless you lack the proper documentation. As it is supposed to function as a passport it requires the same level of scrutiny that a passport requires.

I had an issue getting my MN enhanced drivers license.

My original license had my name as Thomas.
My passport has my name as Tom

six weeks after applying for my enhanced DR I got a rejection letter because of this. I had to provide a birth certificate to finish the process. So yes, it was a PIA for me.

I have a Q permit for June 5 Nym Lake.

Tom, Thomas

For my mom something wasn’t perfect on either a marriage license from Iowa who knows how long ago or divorce paperwork. Can’t remember which. This required her to have whichever it was corrected and 3 or 4 trips to the drivers license bureau where they process it. Huge PIA! I was like why the heck didn’t you just do a passport.

Ryan

Yes, passport for me as well. I travel to other countries besides Canada.

When I renewed my passport, I opted to get a passport card as well for crossing into Canada. I will never bother to get the Real ID since the passport items work just as well and are easier to get since all I have to do is renew, not start anew.

I got the passport card as well. It was 20 bucks extra…I think the MN real ID is more than that extra…plus the passport card was simple. I had trouble with the real ID as well.

T

If the southern EP's were to open, they would have to put the responsibility on the rangers to check VAX status and negative covid test? Except Lac la croix i guess where you could paddle up to customs. Just not sure this would work as how do they turn you away, it's not like a customs stop where you can't pass without VAX card and negative test. Unless paddling in would be an exception, because you're likely not smuggling non vaxed into canada, that was a joke.

Glad I read this. Just added passport renewal to my calendar for mid 2025.

straighthairedcurly: "When I renewed my passport, I opted to get a passport card as well for crossing into Canada. I will never bother to get the Real ID since the passport items work just as well and are easier to get since all I have to do is renew, not start anew."

Enhanced driver's license different than RealID. RealID is a standard that all state issued ID's will have to meet to be acceptable ID for flying. Not something you can opt in or out of- either your state meets real ID requirements or it doesn't.

The enhanced Driver's license requires the same level of identity verification that a passport does. Thus the troubles described above. Your enhanced ID must meet the approval of the Department of Homeland Security before the state can issue the license. If you submitted a passport application with the id inconsistency it too would be rejected.

maybe already stated: "Currently, only 5 states offer EDLs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington."

Wow, I really thought RABCs would be available by now. We watched last year all the way up until June and it seemed like it would be soon after that. We got passports last year. It took longer than normal, but not too bad. Don't put it off too long though, a government shutdown shuts that down too and then it gets really behind. I think we're ok for a while, but it's usually just kicking the can down the road.

Freeleo1: "Wow, I really thought RABCs would be available by now. We watched last year all the way up until June and it seemed like it would be soon after that. We got passports last year. It took longer than normal, but not too bad. Don't put it off too long though, a government shutdown shuts that down too and then it gets really behind. I think we're ok for a while, but it's usually just kicking the can down the road.
"

You don't need a passport to travel to Canada by land. I can't speak to the ID requirements to return to the USA.

What is the land requirements from us to Canada, driver's license?

US to Canada = Driver's License and possible proof of citizenship (birth certificate).

Canada to US = Passport, passport card or enhanced (not real id) driver's license.

Argo: "

Freeleo1: "Wow"

You don't need a passport to travel to Canada by land. I can't speak to the ID requirements to return to the USA."

This is true. However, since you need a passport to enter the US by land, Canadian customs has always asked for your passport. The reason being that the US won’t let you back in without it.

@Banksiana.I didn’t know the EDL was not the same as the real ID license. I got my enhanced license for air travel. I have a passport for everything else. The chip in my arm helps them identify me too :)

Tom

tumblehome: "

Argo: "

Freeleo1: "Wow"

You don't need a passport to travel to Canada by land. I can't speak to the ID requirements to return to the USA."

This is true. However, since you need a passport to enter the US by land, Canadian customs has always asked for your passport. The reason being that the US won’t let you back in without it.

@Banksiana.I didn’t know the EDL was not the same as the real ID license. I got my enhanced license for air travel. I have a passport for everything else. The chip in my arm helps them identify me too :)

Tom"

Real ID is a federal standard for driver's licenses that states must meet in order for them to be accepted by homeland security at airports. All licenses issued by state either meet or fail to meet Real ID requirement. Not something an individual can opt in or out of. Enhanced Driver's License is a license where your identity is vetted by both the state and the federal government, requiring the same level of proof of citizenship one needs to receive a passport. Enhanced Driver's Licenses are something you opt in on, pay extra for, wait longer to receive and must send in more extensive proof to obtain- they can be used to cross land border from Canada.

Banksiana: "

tumblehome: "

Argo: "

Freeleo1: "Wow"

You don't need a passport to travel to Canada by land. I can't speak to the ID requirements to return to the USA."

This is true. However, since you need a passport to enter the US by land, Canadian customs has always asked for your passport. The reason being that the US won’t let you back in without it.


@Banksiana.I didn’t know the EDL was not the same as the real ID license. I got my enhanced license for air travel. I have a passport for everything else. The chip in my arm helps them identify me too :)


Tom"

Real ID is a federal standard for driver's licenses that states must meet in order for them to be accepted by homeland security at airports. All licenses issued by state either meet or fail to meet Real ID requirement. Not something an individual can opt in or out of. Enhanced Driver's License is a license where your identity is vetted by both the state and the federal government, requiring the same level of proof of citizenship one needs to receive a passport. Enhanced Driver's Licenses are something you opt in on, pay extra for, wait longer to receive and must send in more extensive proof to obtain- they can be used to cross land border from Canada."

In MN, you can opt to order a Real ID or a regular driver's license. I didn't bother with a Real ID since I have both a passport and a passport card which are qualifying identification in all the various situations of travel.

straighthairedcurly: "

In MN, you can opt to order a Real ID or a regular driver's license. I didn't bother with a Real ID since I have both a passport and a passport card which are qualifying identification in all the various situations of travel."

Not correct. You are confusing Real ID and Enhanced Driver's License. It is the Enhanced DL that allows border crossing, not Real ID. Real ID is a federal standard that state issued ids must meet to qualify for use as ID in airport. All Minnesota issued Driver's Licenses issued since October of 2020 qualify as Real ID. Individual does not have a choice. The Enhanced Driver's License is the form of ID that one opts in for, pays extra for, requires greater documentation to achieve and allows the holder to cross the land border from Canada.