I am looking to start in Atikokan and head to Ely. Will I need any permit to remote cross into the US? Will I need a BWCA permit? (I am a US citizen, and I do have a passport).

If you will leave Quetico through the BWCA you will need a permit for entry point 71 "From Canada".

Yes, Ausable is correct that you need a BWCA permit, assuming you will overnight in the BWCA. If you are just paddling through and not camping, then a day permit.

And once back in cell range in Ely, you use the CBP ROAM app to check back in to the US. You’ll want to set that up in advance…but once you do it’s very simple and fast to use.

scrubsonny: "I am looking to start in Atikokan and head to Ely. Will I need any permit to remote cross into the US? Will I need a BWCA permit? (I am a US citizen, and I do have a passport)."

To the BWCA permit question and the mechanics of how to make that work for you see the exchange below I had with the USFS in April 2022. (FYI You get the permit online at the recreation.gov website, like all other overnight permits. For a day permit, entering BWCA and leaving on the same day you have to drop a self issue day permit before you leave).
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Me (04/09/2022):
My question is how does this permit work? As you come into the BWCA from Canada, it seems that picking up the permit the day before or day of entry at a danger station or cooperator would be difficult, if not impossible. Later this year I will be doing a one way canoe trip starting on the north side of Quetico, arriving in the BWCA about a week later around Crooked Lake, and exiting a few days later via EP 22/23. The EP 71 permit seems to make sense but I simply don’t understand how to get it issued properly. Please advise. -Peter

Response (04/11/2022):
Hello Peter,

Thank you for contacting Superior National Forest.

If your entry into the BWCAW is from Canada, yes, you would be looking for entry point #71, “From Canada”.

The entry date for your permit would be the date you cross the border into the US/BWCAW from Canada. These specific permits, because of what you have outlined, may be issued more than one day in advance, if approved by the Forest Supervisor’s Office. The permit can be issued up to 14 days in advance from a Forest Service Office.

In order to request the early pickup, please feel free to email your permit reservation number for your #71/From Canada permit to me (you can simply reply to this email) and I will provide it to Wilderness management for their review.

If I can clarify any of the above information or be of any further help, please let me know.

Best,

Luke Laaveg
Visitor Services and Information
Forest Service
Superior National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
p: 218-626-4300
luke.laaveg@usda.gov