For those of you who have entered Quetico through Prairie Portage or Cache Bay and returned to the US the same way, can you tell me about the check-in process, please?

I know of the CBP ROAM app. How easy is it to use?

Also, with the Customs office in Ely, I've been told that it's not staffed any longer, but there is an iPad that can be used for checking in. Is that accurate?

Your help is appreciated.

(I know that PP and Cache Bay will have limited visitors this year due to the pause on RABC permits, but there will be some groups or individuals who have permits that carry over from 2024.)

I have used the ROAM App for the last few years and it has worked great. I pull in at Spirit of the Wilderness so some of my trip mates can use their kiosk and just check in on my phone.

I used the Roam app last year to check in after my Quetico trip. I think it worked really well. I loaded the app on my phone before the trip, and entered in all of my information, including passport number, etc. and got my account set up. I saved my login and password in my phone's password app, so that I would have it. The app asks you to log in first, then there is a big red button that allows you to "Report Arrival." It was super easy because I had all of my info already in the app.

After my trip I drove to Ely and just parked in the Forest Service/CBP parking lot, opened up the app and reported in. I indicated "Prairie Portage" for my border crossing location. It took about 5-10 minutes, and then I received a "cleared for arrival" message, and went on my way. I had heard from others on the board not to leave Ely before getting clearance from CBP, so I just stayed put until I got that message.

After last September's Quetico trip via Prairie Portage we returned to Ely, stopped at Spirit of the Wilderness outfitters, and used their system to report our re-entry to the US. Easy-peasy!

TZ

TrailZen: "After last September's Quetico trip via Prairie Portage we returned to Ely, stopped at Spirit of the Wilderness outfitters, and used their system to report our re-entry to the US. Easy-peasy!"

TZ... what do you mean, "used their system"? You accessed the CBP ROAM app from their computer?

Moosedoggie... is that what you did, too? They have a kiosk?

Jackfish: "

TrailZen: "After last September's Quetico trip via Prairie Portage we returned to Ely, stopped at Spirit of the Wilderness outfitters, and used their system to report our re-entry to the US. Easy-peasy!"

TZ... what do you mean, "used their system"? You accessed the CBP ROAM app from their computer?

Moosedoggie... is that what you did, too? They have a kiosk?"

They have a kiosk that you can use to check in, that is what most of our group used.

I had loaded the app on my phone and already had loaded the passport info for me and the fellow riding with me (just had to take a picture of the passport and it filled in all the fields). We sat in the truck and checked in using my phone. It took maybe 10 minutes total start to finish.

Jackfish, I think the US CBP supplies the outfitters with either something completely different (or at least a custom version of the ROAM app) for their location on a tablet. I think.

As stated, set up the app before you go. Scan everyone's passport, get your boat HIN entered, and then it's all super easy when you check in back in civilization.

The expectation is that you do this as soon as you are out of the wilderness and can connect.

If you wait until you are back home, say in the twin cities for example, you can expect a phone call from someone from CBP who may or may not be understanding about your delay. We got a stern talking-to & a warning.

Did you rent any gear or do any business with Spirit of the Wilderness prior to your trip which allowed you to use the kiosk, or is the kiosk there as a service to anyone returning from Quetico?

Is there a fee to use the kiosk? Seems generous of them, unless the expectation is you buy something while you're there.

Do other outfitters offer the kiosk as well? All of them? Most of them?

Mark Anderson has the same system over at Crane Lake.

They did advise us that once we started the process, to stay there until we were done.

They let our bunch use their system for free but go ahead and buy a tee shirt or hat. It's just courtesy.

Good info. Thanks everybody. Additional comments and experiences are welcomed.

I’ve only ever used the kiosk/iPad in Ely. Pretty simple. Checked the whole family in that way.

Prior we would stop in the same area and just talk to an agent. Just as easy.

In the future I’ll probably use the ROAM app.

T

timatkn: "I’ve only ever used the kiosk/iPad in Ely. Pretty simple. Checked the whole family in that way. "

Tim, for clarity, do you mean the kiosk/iPad at the Customs station or at an outfitter? If at the Customs station, where is the iPad kiosk located? Inside the building?

Jackfish: "

TrailZen: "After last September's Quetico trip via Prairie Portage we returned to Ely, stopped at Spirit of the Wilderness outfitters, and used their system to report our re-entry to the US. Easy-peasy!"

TZ... what do you mean, "used their system"? You accessed the CBP ROAM app from their computer?

Moosedoggie... is that what you did, too? They have a kiosk?"

Sorry for being too brief. As moosedoggie has detailed, Spirit of the Wilderness has a kiosk with CBP ROAM access; we've checked back into the US twice using their kiosk, and each time stayed at the outfitter's until receiving text/email saying we had been cleared for entry (funny, though--we'd of course been in the US for several hours paddling from Prairie Portage, then driving to Ely from Moose Lake's public landing).

Twice, I think, we checked in via the manned Customs Station at the Ely USFS Ranger Station, and once after the station was unmanned but had a ROAM kiosk in the hallway outside the office.

And, yes, we purchased items from SotW while waiting for the 'all clear' from US Customs.

TZ

There is also a kiosk located at Voyageur Outfitters if you are leaving from Cache Bay. It doesn't always work (due to IPAD or WIFI issues) so the Roam App is recommended.
If there are any issues with your checking back in, they will video call you through the app or kiosk to ask you additional questions.
I've read other people saying to get the HIN numbers from the boat (which is great if you know them) but I've always marked myself down as a pedestrian, since I'm not always getting a tow.

It's a free service at the outfitters, since it's actually a border/customs investment unrelated to the outfitter, but I'm sure the outfitter benefits from people standing around and waiting.

Just be aware, the process can sometimes take a lot of time as you wait for your entry to be reviewed. There's not really a way around that though, unless you choose to not do it at all and enter illegally! I always enjoy the chance to wonder around and look at things I probably don't need to be buying!

Jackfish,

I've been using the ROAM app for the past few years and as others have said, it's very easy, especially if you pre-load your and your party's info in advance - or they can do their own.

I've done reporting from on the road while heading out of town, even the day after (having stayed overnight at the outfitters) - no waiting around somewhere. Heck, you're already back in the US by then.

Early on, I had problems with the kiosk at the Ely CBP office, just inside their front door. Don't know if it's still there or not. The only time I did get a call from them on my mobile was coming off a Cache Bay trip when they asked why I didn't just stop at the Grand Marais CBP office - I didn't know there was one there!

The app is great - unless you don't have a smart phone or just like supporting the outfitters. I've probably used that to report back over 10 times.

pd

Good information, everyone. Thanks for clearing that up. Sounds like it's a fairly easy process that just takes a little bit of time. Having the kiosks available at the outfitters makes it even easier with lots of options for places to get it done.

PK2: " HIN numbers from the boat (which is great if you know them) but I've always marked myself down as a pedestrian, since I'm not always getting a tow."

I've always used the HIN from my canoe(s).

Jackfish: "

timatkn: "I’ve only ever used the kiosk/iPad in Ely. Pretty simple. Checked the whole family in that way. "

Tim, for clarity, do you mean the kiosk/iPad at the Customs station or at an outfitter? If at the Customs station, where is the iPad kiosk located? Inside the building?"

Sorry I did not know there was any other option. The kiosk is at the old Customs station in Ely that is no longer manned. Right inside the building there is a kiosk/iPad. There used to be a window you talked to the customs agent through, last time I was there the kiosk was right there.

T

When we stay at a resort on the Canadian side of Sag (eastern end, not Quetico), we check in via the ROAM app when we are checking out and settling our bill, in other words, while still on Canadian soil. No issues, always given the go ahead within five minutes.

Get the Roam App and use it as soon as you hit Ely and get a strong signal. During the process of checking in your "application" is reviewed by an officer, HS can insist on a conversation with a customs officer (over the phone) or simply approve your entrance electronically. Sometimes the wait for approval can take a while which makes the outfitter kiosk less attractive. Make certain to check in before you continue your journey south- I forgot to check in once and used the app from Grand Rapids and the customs officer (app uses location) was not happy.

Mode of travel is "pedestrian".

Thanks, Banks. Good info.