In past years, my crews have gone out through Beaverhouse three times, and the two July times the parking lot was packed. Not in the last two years due to COVID. Now we go in June. With the non-opening of the southern entries, should we expect an overloaded parking lot, or will it be limited like usual because of the limited number of entry permits?

The water on the entry portage does not bother me: after all it is an old railroad track, not a mud bog like the Yum Yum portage. The portage up to Quetico Lake should be interesting in high water, but not outright dangerous like Twin Falls.

Ron, we've been there a lot and the BH parking lot does fill up from time to time.
However, most of the time, there is enough parking. If it's full, there are places along the road. You'll be ok.

The Beaverhouse parking lot was surreal last summer. Completely barren of automobiles in late July. We had the best parking space. I felt like George Costanza in that I didn't want to depart on my trip...I just wanted to hang there and admire my spot all day. ;)

I also wonder if the north of Quetico will be unusually busy this summer.

Argo: "I also wonder if the north of Quetico will be unusually busy this summer."

We head to Quetico each year in large part to enjoy the solitude so my crew seems overly concerned that we're going to be paddling in a crowd much like an Ozark river here in mid-July. Beaverhouse ETA is Thursday, June 2 10am. I've done my best to console my canoemates and let them know that I've communicated much over the past few weeks with folks we might see on the water (here on this forum) and they can rest assured...we are in good company!

If anyone sees our group please don't hesitate to say hello and swap fishing reports. We'll be in a silver Nissan Titan plates = RVR BND (River bound). On the water we'll be a group of four in a Souris River rental from Branch's Seine River and a tandem Northstar. So....we'll look like everyone else out there! Bassmaster_P (me) will be in the back of the Northstar wearing a brown Stetson.

Trip report will come soon after we are home on the 12th. If anyone has questions for their upcoming trip please don't hesitate to drop me an email.

P

To interest those who have been or will be going there, here are pictures of the parking lot and the Beaverhouse launching site.

Lot was full when we left on the 9th, and more folks were heading in. Portage to BH is great and when we did the BH to Q on the 26th of May, a twenty yard bushwhack put us onto the portage.

There is no need to bushwhack as there is a portage which starts right before you enter the channel.

Usually yes, but not the day we entered due to the significant high water. We felt much more comfortable busting a little trail than fight the current. Likely much more accessible at today’s lower lake levels.

MacCamper: "Usually yes, but not the day we entered due to the significant high water. We felt much more comfortable busting a little trail than fight the current. Likely much more accessible at today’s lower lake levels."

We went in on June 2 and came out June 11th. Lake was a little high but normal entry was possible. We saw the bushwhacked trail you're talking about headed out towards the main lake. Look like many people used it for a time.

P

What are you all using for an address to be contacted in the arriveCan app, going in Friday at beaverhouse.

campnfish: "What are you all using for an address to be contacted in the arriveCan app, going in Friday at beaverhouse. "

We simply entered "Quetico" in all fields that would let us. It was perfectly fine.

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MacCamper: "Usually yes, but not the day we entered due to the significant high water. We felt much more comfortable busting a little trail than fight the current. Likely much more accessible at today’s lower lake levels."

I did the Beaverhouse to Quetico portage on 5/27, one day after you. The higher water in Beaverhouse actually made it easier to paddle directly to the portage. Yes, there was current, but paddling up the right side was not that difficult and certainly didn’t feel unsafe. Before I got there, i was worried we would be bushwhacking, but was relieved to see the favorable conditions.

I just came out yesterday after entering 6/11, and definitely noticed: the lot was just about full when I went in, and barely half full yesterday.

It can be a busy place, and I was grateful that it was nice and quiet (and not too buggy) yesterday :)