We have had the outfitter make our reservation for Quetico in the past. I was checking earlier and even though the option comes up to reserve online, there was no availability for Quetico backcountry permits even within the 5 month window. Is it possible to reserve online or does it require calling the park on the phone?

Online is the way i always reserve, i just simulated a permit for may 2023 and it appeared to be available.

Im not sure if this screen capture helps, perhaps your in the wrong area of the site.

Seems to be working for me, but I have gotten it wrong on their site a number of times because it's set up differently for Quetico vs all other parks.

What I have gotten wrong is after (correctly) selecting the 'Backcountry' tab, I've then selected 'paddling' (incorrect!), and looked for Quetico in the dropdown (also incorrect - at least at this point!). Instead, I needed to select Quetico four buttons to the right of 'paddling'.

Further, when you do that, the parks dropdown menu then changes and instead of listing every park in Ontario, it just has two options: 'All Parks' or 'Quetico'. Selecting Quetico here finally got me to the end of my torment.

It is not intuitive. But it is annoying, so it has that going for it.

Thanks. I was looking at it on my phone and missed the reserve button. I'll try it on the computer. It should be easier to navigate.

Go here, then select "Backcountry". On that menu, click on "Quetico" in the line of activities AND select Quetico in the "Park" box. That lets you select entry/exit dates, party size, etc...

TZ

One more screen shot.

Thanks, I figured it out now. It is a little early for the dates we have planned. I was just checking so I would know how to do it later. It seems overly complicated, but maybe that is a feature, not a bug?

Freeleo1: "Thanks, I figured it out now. It is a little early for the dates we have planned. I was just checking so I would know how to do it later. It seems overly complicated, but maybe that is a feature, not a bug?"

Yes, each time I've used it I had to re-learn the secret handshake for getting into Quetico's backcountry permit system. It's a bit easier after you've set up an account with them, should you decide to do that. You can also go into your account to modify group numbers, dates, entry points, etc.

TZ

Ahhh, spring must be coming. People making reservations. And so it begins.

Agreed, Ontario Parks reservation system is clunky at best.

Tom

TrailZen: "Go here, then select "Backcountry". On that menu, click on "Quetico" in the line of activities AND select Quetico in the "Park" box. That lets you select entry/exit dates, party size, etc...


TZ"

This is a needlessly incongruous step that doesn't follow the logic the site designer has conditioned the user to follow. Quetico should be in the drop-down box, not listed as a special selection.

Wouldn't it be infinitely more simple just to list all of the parks aphabetically, select your park, then select the type of camping you desire (back country or campground), then your dates...how hard is this?

Argo: "

TrailZen: "Go here, then select "Backcountry". On that menu, click on "Quetico" in the line of activities AND select Quetico in the "Park" box. That lets you select entry/exit dates, party size, etc...



TZ"

This is a needlessly incongruous step that doesn't follow the logic the site designer has conditioned the user to follow. Quetico should be in the drop-down box, not listed as a special selection.

Wouldn't it be infinitely more simple just to list all of the parks aphabetically, select your park, then select the type of camping you desire (back country or campground), then your dates...how hard is this?


"

Agreed, Argo--drives me nuts!

TZ

Many Gubment websites are awful. You generally never see such absurdity on private websites. There are a few Federal websites down here in the states that are just as bad. It's like, why, why is it like this??

tumblehome: "Ahhh, spring must be coming. People making reservations. And so it begins.


Agreed, Ontario Parks reservation system is clunky at best.


Tom"

agreed. it could use some work to make it a smoother process.
once you have used it a bit it is fine, but for someone new to the site or even when i have not used it in awhile it can be a bit annoying.
my thinking behind why they put "quetico" as a separate choice for backcountry bookings as that it may be handled differently behind the scenes so to speak.
i know zero about web design but maybe their bookings are seperated somehow from all he others?
we just booked a week at the end of may. whoot whoot !!

Indeed frustrating, but a very small inconvenience for the grandeur of the Quetico. And yes, I have to re-learn the process each year too. My group's May 23rd permit has been procured and we are excited about 21 days of exciting adventure and impressive fishing.

MacCamper: "Indeed frustrating, but a very small inconvenience for the grandeur of the Quetico. And yes, I have to re-learn the process each year too. My group's May 23rd permit has been procured and we are excited about 21 days of exciting adventure and impressive fishing."

Wow, three weeks? That is quite the adventure. I am curious if you will be able to carry all supplies needed for the duration of the trip or if you will need to re-supply at least once.

I only ask because I recently was reading that in the BWCA you are not allowed to exit the park in order to get supplies. I am not sure how it works in Quetico so was just curious on your plan.

Three weeks? Great question. For several years my solo/group paddle partners (sometimes three of us, sometimes two) have been pulling 14 day permits. One individual comes from Georgia so he wishes to get the biggest bang for his drive up. Last year we made two/two week long, trips into the Q with four weeks between opportunities. On the last trip he requested that we consider one/three week trip instead of two/two week adventures. You can imagine that this led to much discussion.

For us, solo/group is defined by total autonomy except shared camp site and a few "group" gear items such as medical kit, bug tarp, cast fry pan, sax, hatchet. My kit typically includes solo boat, 60 liter barrel, 30 liter barrel, 20 liter dry bag and double blade... five items to keep track of across a portage. For a three week trip I need to add an estimated additional 20 liter dry bag of food. I feel confidant that I can fit the sixth bag into my boat by shifting necessities a bit. Obviously this will change my portaging plans from a double to triple early on in the trip. After one week I should be able to squash the 20 L bag and stuff it into my 60 L barrel.

The three week stint is an experiment. We should be able to watch the Quetico move from spring into summer, taking full advantage of prime fishing opportunities.

MacCamper: "Three weeks? Great question. For several years my solo/group paddle partners (sometimes three of us, sometimes two) have been pulling 14 day permits. One individual comes from Georgia so he wishes to get the biggest bang for his drive up. Last year we made two/two week long, trips into the Q with four weeks between opportunities. On the last trip he requested that we consider one/three week trip instead of two/two week adventures. You can imagine that this led to much discussion.


For us, solo/group is defined by total autonomy except shared camp site and a few "group" gear items such as medical kit, bug tarp, cast fry pan, sax, hatchet. My kit typically includes solo boat, 60 liter barrel, 30 liter barrel, 20 liter dry bag and double blade... five items to keep track of across a portage. For a three week trip I need to add an estimated additional 20 liter dry bag of food. I feel confidant that I can fit the sixth bag into my boat by shifting necessities a bit. Obviously this will change my portaging plans from a double to triple early on in the trip. After one week I should be able to squash the 20 L bag and stuff it into my 60 L barrel.


The three week stint is an experiment. We should be able to watch the Quetico move from spring into summer, taking full advantage of prime fishing opportunities.
"

I hope the three-week 'experiment' is a great success! And let us know what other paddlers think of your bring the sax. (Yeah, I know you meant a saw, but had to comment on the shared sax idea!)

TZ

"I am not sure how it works in Quetico so was just curious on your plan"

FWIW talking to previous superintendent, you can come and go as you please. Buy a 365 day permit and as long as first entry is per permit, you're all set? Somewhere in the $7000 range....

billconner: ""I am not sure how it works in Quetico so was just curious on your plan"


FWIW talking to previous superintendent, you can come and go as you please. Buy a 365 day permit and as long as first entry is per permit, you're all set? Somewhere in the $7000 range...."

haha you would have to do a lot of camping to justify that purchase. haha

Unlike BWCAW, Quetico depends on the fees! :)

Nice to know you could go half way around and leave and renter for resupply if you wanted. Not too sure Uber has come to Atikokan.
.

TrailZen: "

MacCamper: "Three weeks? Great question. For several years my solo/group paddle partners (sometimes three of us, sometimes two) have been pulling 14 day permits. One individual comes from Georgia so he wishes to get the biggest bang for his drive up. Last year we made two/two week long, trips into the Q with four weeks between opportunities. On the last trip he requested that we consider one/three week trip instead of two/two week adventures. You can imagine that this led to much discussion.



For us, solo/group is defined by total autonomy except shared camp site and a few "group" gear items such as medical kit, bug tarp, cast fry pan, sax, hatchet. My kit typically includes solo boat, 60 liter barrel, 30 liter barrel, 20 liter dry bag and double blade... five items to keep track of across a portage. For a three week trip I need to add an estimated additional 20 liter dry bag of food. I feel confidant that I can fit the sixth bag into my boat by shifting necessities a bit. Obviously this will change my portaging plans from a double to triple early on in the trip. After one week I should be able to squash the 20 L bag and stuff it into my 60 L barrel.



The three week stint is an experiment. We should be able to watch the Quetico move from spring into summer, taking full advantage of prime fishing opportunities.
"

I hope the three-week 'experiment' is a great success! And let us know what other paddlers think of your bring the sax. (Yeah, I know you meant a saw, but had to comment on the shared sax idea!)


TZ"

Leaving the bass guitar and drum set at home!

MacCamper: "Leaving the bass guitar and drum set at home!"

Great comeback! Love the three-week idea, hope it's a fantastic trip.

TZ