My goal is to get to some of the lakes near McAree, what is the best way to get there? I’d be coming from the US, though perhaps it makes sense to cross the boarder via roads first (not sure how that works with Quetico permitting yet). I dont mind getting a BWCA permit too, but my main goal is the area east of McAree.

From what I can tell it is common to go from Crane Lake via tow boat but that seems like a really long tow and probably both there AND back so no open return date. Any other ways that are more direct?

Getting a tow through Lac La Croix from Crane Lake would be my suggestion. Try Zup's Outfitters

Zup's Resort is located on the western side of Lac La Croix and would be the most likely to work with you on flexible exit dates. They will take you through customs at Sand Point Lake and also to the Lac La Croix Ranger Station for permits. They will then drop you off at Black Robe Portage for direct entry to McAree. Approximate trip time from Crane Lake to Black Robe is 2 hours including the stops at customs and ranger station.

If you're heading east of McAree, I would avoid Goat Hill portage into Gratton / Wicksteed. It is difficult plus I am not sure of the portage condition since the fires of 2021. Going west to east over Goat Hill is more manageable than east to west.

Alternatives routes would be through Minn and the Darky River or through Crooked and Argo.

Best, direct, short... none describe a route to McAree, that I know of. I was on McAree last fall, but came in with a Cache Bay permit. Previously, I was there with a tow across Crane Lake as you mentioned. What is your target east of McAree?

I'd think you could possibly cross the border by car, drive to Lac La Croix Ranger station & check in there. Then it's a dozen or so miles of paddling and a couple short portages to McAree.

That said...I've not done it and I don't recall hearing about anyone doing it that way. The LLC Ranger station would be at least 50 miles on a dirt road off the highway.

If that appeals to you, call the Atikokan office and ask if it's really feasible. I spoke to them yesterday about a route question - they are very helpful.

bobbernumber3: "Best, direct, short... none describe a route to McAree, that I know of. I was on McAree last fall, but came in with a Cache Bay permit. Previously, I was there with a tow across Crane Lake as you mentioned. What is your target east of McAree?"

My ultimate goal is Argo lake and Darky area. McAree just seemed like the closest entry but I don't need to actually be on that lake. It's been years since I've been in that area so I am not sure if those areas have been affected by fires but it seems like they are near some burn.

I'd prefer to avoid Prairie Portage too.

Well, if I wanted to go to Darky/Argo & was not concerned about cost, I'd get a Zup's tow to from Crane Lake (stopping at Sand Point Customs) and on to the Bottle portage. I'd carry an inreach so I could communicate with them to coordinate the open-ended return.

This would put you a modest day's travel (9 or 10 miles, I think) from Argo.

Zup's Tows

sns: "Well, if I wanted to go to Darky/Argo & was not concerned about cost, I'd get a Zup's tow to from Crane Lake (stopping at Sand Point Customs) and on to the Bottle portage. I'd carry an inreach so I could communicate with them to coordinate the open-ended return.


This would put you a modest day's travel (9 or 10 miles, I think) from Argo.


Zup's Tows "

+1. That was our route in 2007. We happened to meet the Customs Agent at the Crane Lake dock. He was picking up his wife/girlfriend for the week and didn't want to be bothered later, so checked us thru on the spot.

If Argo & Darky are your targeted destinations, my recommendation would be to enter at Bottle Portage. Go through Iron & Crooked and enter Argo via the direct portage from Crooked to the southwest section of Argo. There are several great campsites in the center portion of Argo for exploring Siobhan, Roland, Cone & Elk. Approximate time to reach Argo from Bottle Portage is 6-7 hours.

Then move camp to one of the sites in the north or northwest portion of Darky to explore Wicksteed, Ballard, Josie & possibly Brent.

Last float down the Darky River to Minn and eventually McAree exiting at Black Robe Portage.

This is a great loop for early June fishing for smallmouth, walleye & lake trout.

Or for less movement of camps, you could enter at Bottle and basecamp on Argo with easy day trips to all these lakes and then exit back through Bottle.

I like Anderson’s from Crane Lake. I’ve done that round trip tow to Bottle (EP44) or McAree (EP 43) about a dozen times through them. Mark Anderson is great. They have a motel across the street that you can stay at the night before. Link at bottom of this post.


The shortest paddle to the LLC Ranger station from a BWCA EP is probably EP 16 - about 27miles (double portaging). You need to pick up the permit at that ranger station, no other option. And you need an RABC permit.

While I’ve never done it, one could get towed in from Crane Lake and come out EP16. Leave a car there. EP 16 to Crane Lake drive is about 30 miles, mostly on the Echo trail. The paddle from Bottle portage to EP 16 is about 17 miles double portaging.

It’s hard to have a flexible exit date for Quetico since the permit is based on number of days, unlike the BWCA. But if you paid for a longer trip (more days) and wanted to come out early I bet could get Anderson’s to stop at an exit point (43 or 44) and check for you daily at a set time - say day 6 thru day 10. They would likely be dropping someone there everyday anyway.

I like the Bottle entry (44) and exit out at McAree/Brewer (43) or vice versa. The McAree-Wicksteed-Darky-Argo-Crooked-Iron loop in either direction is a classic. Though the 2021 fire hit quite a bit of that area hard.

Anderson’s