I've been looking through the internet for a definitive answer about checking in with Canadian customs when entering Quetico. It seems like the process may have changed over the years since some older posts on this website and various other locations state that you must check in while other sites are either silent about it or say you do not have to check in.

In late June or early July 2020 my wife and I want to enter Quetico. We will be starting in the BWCA at Fall Lake (EP24) and paddling north through Basswood Lake. We would like to enter Quetico without having to go to Prairie Portage or any other customs point first. Is this allowed under the terms of the RABC permit?

All the RABC gives you is clearance to enter Canada without going to customs first. It has nothing to do with the Quetico. To legally enter the park, you will need a permit, and for that you have to go to Prairie Portage.

A few years ago, Latourelles supposedly had the ability to pick up a Quetico permit for you, but I don't even know if that is even in force any more and I don't think many people did it anyway because it was sort of expensive.

Also, don't hesitate to call the Quetico Park headquarters for a definitive answer on anything. They are friendly and helpful, and it is their job to encourage people to visit the park.

Kendis: "... some older posts on this website and various other locations state that you must check in while other sites are either silent about it or say you do not have to check in."

What Marsonite said. If other sites say you do not have to check in, they are presenting wrong information. The entry stations, such as that at Prairie Portage, are not customs stations. They are park ranger stations at which you pick up your camping permits.

With a valid RABC, you can enter Canada from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods without visiting CA customs.

To enter Quetico, you must get a permit at one of the ranger stations. All you can get in advance is a reservation. The current park superintendent in particular wants all visitors to have face time with a ranger before entering.

And besides those two separate government bureaucracies - customs and parks - fishing requires another branch of government.

And since you seem to be entering and exiting through the BWCAW, you have US forest service (permits), US customs, and perhaps MN DNR if you fish in US.

Just to add to the information already given, one must remember, one of the main purposes of the permits and entry points is to control how many people end up in certain areas and to spread them out, as well as keeping track of where they are going, etc. This would be difficult if people could cross the border when and where they wanted, although an argument could be made that having to pass through only two entry points in the south actually piles people up near the entries.

Like Bill said, you are dealing with six government agencies going from the BWCA to Quetico if you fish, and all have requirements. You will have to check in with US Customs when exiting Quetico. Most find it easiest to do either the BW or Quetico, but not both on same trip.

I talked with the Park a year or two ago about alternatives to appearing at Prairie Portage in person to pick up my permit. The answer was a pretty firm no.
I had done so in years past by having an outfitter pick up a form for me to mail in and on a couple of other trips when outfitters had the form in their offices to simply mail in, keeping a copy with me when in the Park. I think those days are gone. In fact, I was told I should not pull the permit at Prairie and then head back down Moose Lake to enter from somewhere further east---such as Fall Lake.
Lots of ever evolving rules and interpretations.
On the other hand it just seems easier to go to Prairie and start your trip there. Lots of great country and less hassle.

I think you used to be able to enter Quetico from the BWCAW in the offseason when the park entry areas like PP were closed. Maybe that was what you were reading? You still might be able to do that in the offseason, but you would need to talk to the park officials/superintendent for special permission and my conversations with him made it seem slim to none.

As far as I know, there is no way to enter during the season without entering at a check point station such as Prairie Portage.

The only option, I swear I read this on this site, was where a party paid the outfitter to pick up their permit at Prairie Portage for them. I am not even sure that this is an option because the officials want to meet the whole group when they issue permits.

Theoretically, you could could paddle or tow to Prairie, pick up your permit, then go back out and enter somewhere else, but the cost and time would be prohibitive - might as well just enter through Prairie. I am sure this isn’t following the rules as well so there is that.

T

When we go to the Crownland outside of Quetico, we can get these online now. Can you get Quetico or other permits like Woodland Caribou online? Thought you could... just asking.

timatkn: "The only option, I swear I read this on this site, was where a party paid the outfitter to pick up their permit at Prairie Portage for them. I am not even sure that this is an option because the officials want to meet the whole group when they issue permits. "

Tim,

About 5 years ago, I talked with Latourell's and they told me they had permission to pick up Quetico permits and issue them to people. They were apologetic about how much they had to charge. I never did it and never heard of anyone actually doing it either. I suspect they they don’t do it at all now but who knows?

In the off season, the ranger stations are closed and you need to deposit your cash in a pipe at the ranger station. ONCE back in 2013, we got a BWCA permit through Piragis and they mailed our permit money to Quetico for us.

I still think there is no way to enter Quetico without a trip to a ranger station.

I do know at woodland caribou you can pick up your permit from the park office or a number of different outfitters.

The biggest problem I have with the ranger stations...the SW part of the park is pretty dang remote to get to from Prairie Portage. Lac La Croix is a big lake with big water, and I'm not too interested in going in that way. Guess I will just go in from PP and make it a longer trip!

Joe