Hey all -

We're heading in through South Lake in a couple weeks, so will be right up along the border. I haven't kept abreast of the specifics but I know there's been ups and downs with the process for going over to the Canadian side.

What's the latest rules & procedures as far as going over to the Canadian side? Just curious as it seems like a fun thing to go do as long as we're up there.

Thanks

Two of portages in to South Lake are on the border so technically you be in Canada and the US.

Samsquatch: "Two of portages in to South Lake are on the border so technically you be in Canada and the US. "

Ok thanks! So that raises two questions:

1. Do I need to do anything particular about that or is it ok?

2. If I want to actually paddle across and, say, camp out on the Canadian side - is that possible legally? How? What are the rules?

Thanks in advance, appreciate any help or advice on this as I know the rules have changed and it's hard to track down up to date guidance.

When you are on the border portages you don’t need any permits or go through customs, etc. You’re supposed to stay on the portage, though.

In my previous post I was incorrect about there being two portages on South Lake that are on the border. Height of Land from North into South is on the border. The second portage I was thinking of was just to the east of South Lake, the Rat-Rose Lake Portage. If your entry point to BWCA is South Lake you will almost certainly travel through Rat and Rose Lakes.

Yup that's right I plan to go through those lakes.

Sorry if I'm being dense, I don't see the answer to my question in there?

I'm trying to understand the rules & procedures for going over into the Canadian side - camping on the shore or even paddling further up into Quetico. Can i? Do I need any special permits or is there a process?

Thanks

I can't answer about crossing into Canada as I haven't gone into Quetico since I was in Scouts in the 1980s.

The Canadian side of the border at South Lake (entry point 58) is not Quetico. It's La Verendrye Provincial Park.

chiefagikamik: "Yup that's right I plan to go through those lakes.

Sorry if I'm being dense, I don't see the answer to my question in there?

I'm trying to understand the rules & procedures for going over into the Canadian side - camping on the shore or even paddling further up into Quetico. Can i? Do I need any special permits or is there a process?

Thanks "

1. A lot of people illegally cross into Canada and never get caught so they will tell you it is okay. Examples are going to Rebecca Falls or warrior Hill, fishing from lower Basswood Falls Portage, eating lunch at Lower Basswood Falls portage….I’ve seen most people get away with it and I’ve seen a few people get hefty fines…

2. Travel along the border is legal. Using mutual portages is legal. Nothing to do. My Example of Lower Basswood Falls—that portage is 100% Canadian but it is the easiest portage to cross from Basswood River to Crooked Lake so it is covered b y the treaty. Eating Lunch, fishing are not covered by the treaty. Only traveling is covered.

3. To cross into the Canadian side of the lake and presumably Quetico you would need a Quetico Permit. You can go to Ontario Parks and get a daily pass to have in your canoe or car. You need a pass for each canoe. You can’t camp/stay overnight, but you cna do day trips. The complication I am not sure of is the RABC program is not currently running. You do need to go through customs I am not sure if this is possible. The Canadians do allow you to cross by water without an RABC if yiou have the Quetico permit (non Quetico don’t need the permit) a long as you DO NOT anchor or you DO NOT touch land. If you were going to fish on the Candian side you would need to follow all Candian regs. Need an Outdoors card, Ontario license, if in Quetico you cannot possess live bait and the hooks you are using need to be barbless.

4. Anytime you cross into Canada you need to cross back over you need to declare re-entry into the US through Border patrol/Customs. You can use the ROAM app on your phone for that either on your trip or ASAP after getting to a spot where your phione works. You would also need a passport or a soem states like MN have an Enhanced ID that you cna use for border crossing.

I think I hit it all but I could of missed something…

T

Not sure about La Verendrye (which I believe is a non operating park) but if you are camping outside of Quetico you would need a crown land camping permit, available online. But if you don’t possess a RABC it’s a moot point.

To camp where you’re thinking of yet this paddling season, you need a valid RABC permit and if you’re not a Canadian resident you need to purchase a Crown Land camping permit. You can’t enter Quetico from the US until November 1 of this year because that portion of the park is closed to all use through October 31.

If everyone in your group doesn’t currently hold a valid RABC you’ll need to stay on the US side other than, as others have said, traveling along the border portages and waterways. My understanding is that the key to legal use of those areas in Canada is that you’re traveling. You can’t stop to have lunch, go fishing, pee, etc. And you can’t stray too far north of the border as you’re traveling, to go see the sights, etc.

chiefagikamik: "Yup that's right I plan to go through those lakes.


Sorry if I'm being dense, I don't see the answer to my question in there?


I'm trying to understand the rules & procedures for going over into the Canadian side - camping on the shore or even paddling further up into Quetico. Can i? Do I need any special permits or is there a process?


Thanks "

In case you're still not clear. To cross into Canada in the area you will be (step onto Canada soil or moor/anchor your canoe on the Canada side of the lake) you need to check-in with Canada Customs, which is not an option for what your doing. Alternatively, through 11/30/2026 you can cross the border with an existing valid RABC permit. Each member in your party needs the RABC permit. If you don't already have a valid RABC permit you cannot get one any longer. RABC program details in the link below.

Current RABC program status

As others have indicated, to camp along the Canada shoreline, and assuming your in Canada legally (see above), you need a Crown Land camping permit. That area is in La Verendrye Provincial Park .

Ontario Crown Land camping permit

Sounds expensive and a huge hassle and illegal. Don't know where you plan to camp but I'm thinking any site will be trashed, garbage etc. You could try it tho, what are they gonna do deport you...

plander thanks - super clear. I will stay on the USA side.

If you’re going to be traveling through Rose Lake I highly recommend taking a short hike on the Border Route trail. It intersects with the portage between Rose and Duncan. There are some great views from the trail. There’s a bluff overlook to the west of the portage where you can see Rose,Rat, South, and North Lakes.

scat: "Sounds expensive and a huge hassle and illegal. Don't know where you plan to camp but I'm thinking any site will be trashed, garbage etc. You could try it tho, what are they gonna do deport you..."

What is the basis of the claim of trash and garbage?

Deportation? I wouldn't treat that one lightly. That could mean an unplanned trip to some far away constabulary, permanent exclusion from the country, fines and/or a variety of other unpleasant outcomes. Would you offer the same cavalier advice to foreigners planning to disrespect the US border and its laws?

Don't do it

Argo: "

scat: "Sounds expensive and a huge hassle and illegal. Don't know where you plan to camp but I'm thinking any site will be trashed, garbage etc. You could try it tho, what are they gonna do deport you..."

What is the basis of the claim of trash and garbage?


Deportation? I wouldn't treat that one lightly. That could mean an unplanned trip to some far away constabulary, permanent exclusion from the country, fines and/or a variety of other unpleasant outcomes. Would you offer the same cavalier advice to foreigners planning to disrespect the US border and its laws?"

Ya I heard the sentence is 5 years of hard labor skinning Beavers, drinking Labatt 50, watching Canadian TV and being forced to listen to Nickelback 24/7. It violates the Geneva convention but that was always a "suggestion" to Canadians :)

T

Love it. Tbh I knew that was going to wrinkle Argo’s flannel shirt but I don’t apologize.

Does anyone know if there is an accessible international border monument in the area along a portage that chiefagikamik can get his and his group’s picture taken and therefore check the “I was in Canada” box?

While portaging or traveling of course - as long as you don’t eat snacks, fish, swim, dawdle, dilly dally, bungle about, or claim you work for Vandalay Industries you should be OK if confronted by CBSA officials assigned portage duties that day.

There’s a small obelisk at the end of the portage into Rat Lake from South Lake.