It's been a while since I went to the Quetico. The last time I went through a southern entry, it was simply a matter of obtaining a RABC and Quetico permit. Now with the extra security measures in place, border crossings now require a passport or enhanced drivers license. I have a passport, so I am in the clear, but some of my tripping friends have neither a passport or enhanced drivers license. My question is this, if we entered and left via a southern entry point, would anything happen to them if we (they) only possessed a RABC? If we stopped at US customs, would they be fined, told to go back to Canada, thrown in jail? I know it's a relatively cheap solution for them get an enhanced driver's license, but we are considering a "last minute" Quetico trip. Thanks for any advice.

Remember the RABC is a Canadian requirement, not a US requirement. If it is for a last minute trip I am not sure you would get it in time. But the US does require the passport or passport card.
In short, I would not take the risk of going without the proper requirements being met. It is not worth the risk or worry.
Times have changed.

Thanks GraniteCliffs, I don't think it is worth the worry either. In the past, I got an RABC processed rapidly by stopping at the Pigeon River Border Crossing on the way up, but I suppose they won't do that anymore either.

You could go in from the north, but to get back into the US you need a passport or an enhanced license (Canada will let you cross with a driver's license). The RABC allows entry into Canada without visiting a customs's agent. to legally reenter the US you need a passport (or passport card) or enhanced driver's license. You can still get and RABC at the Canadian border station at Pigeon River or Rainy river.

Thanks Banksiana, good to hear you can still do the walk-in RABC application if needed.

Here's another bit of info: I go to Canada several times a year to paddle and fish. One friend does not own a passport, but just carries his birth certificate and a MN drivers license for ID when returning to the US. He gets hassled a bit by the customs folks every time he returns.

A couple of weeks ago the agent said that while he can't PREVENT him from re-entering the US with a birth certificate, he CAN delay the process by a few hours by making him fill out a pile of paperwork and tearing apart his vehicle. The customs folks keep a record of your every border crossing, so after being in"non-compliance" for about about 23 crossings, my friend is now considering getting a passport.

Getting your RABC from a crossing on the border may also be a hit and miss experience. One of my pals has failed to mail in his app in time several different years. He went to International Falls to get the RABC three times. Once he was in and out in under an hour. Once he was there for almost three hours. The last time he claimed it took him almost 6 hours---it was also the last time he forgot to apply in advance.

Here's another question, on my handful of Quetico trips (all taken 10-15 years ago and all through southern entry points), I re-entered the US through the BWCA, paddled to my car, and simply drove home. In complete ignorance, I neglected to stop at customs and nothing ever happened. Is the US border patrol in communication with QPP and monitoring who is entering and leaving? Again, I'm not trying deliberated skirt the law, I ask more out of curiosity. On future trips that enter and leave through remote areas, I'll stop at customs. I'm sure this question has been asked before several dozen times, but I don't remember reading it.

Good question. Seems not linked but some of us have speculated it's a matter of time before they are. Take comfort that you did it out of not knowing; some - maybe many - here routinely don't stop and report back in the US.

After 40 years of going to the Q I actually changed my ways last year on my solo Q trip. Stopped in Ely, checked in in 2 minutes, talked with the very pleasant ranger for 10 minutes and was on my way. Painless. I did not check in the other two Q trips.
They may not yet have closed this loop but I suspect I will begin to get in compliance each Q trip every year. The law is there, the highway signs warn us and I would rather be in compliance than suffer some type of consequence. In this day and age of drones, databases, record checks, etc. I have come to see it as a prudent step.
Perhaps it is my age and growing cautiousness but for me after all of these years and trips it is simply time.

We have done both, going on without stopping and stopping. Prior to 2001, never thought about just going on home but since then, found it is better to stop. Most times it only takes a couple of minutes unless they like to hear about the good fishing and such. Only one time did we get hassled by the border agent. We got the third degree and it took almost 30 minutes before in his words, I will let you go on your way. The folks in Ely seem pretty nice.

In many years of returning to the US from Prairie Portage, Quetico, I have never even considered stopping at Customs.
Are you planning to enter and exit Canada from Prairie Portage or another location?

quote RC: "In many years of returning to the US from Prairie Portage, Quetico, I have never even considered stopping at Customs."

Seriously? You return from PP and drive right past a sign on the Fernberg Road reminding you to stop at the Customs office in Ely AND you drive right by the building itself? You may thumb your nose at the requirement, but what is five minutes to be legal?

Here is another thread on the topic.

I just called the Pigeon River station today (8/27) and asked about picking up an RABC there for a late addition to our party. They said no problem but strongly encouraged bringing a passport (didn't say it was an absolute requirements though). They are open 24/7 but said there may be a wait if others are ahead of us.