I see from past threads that Quetico day use permits are available. I am wondering if anyone has utilized the option this year. If you did how did you get your permit for a single day use other than going to an official entry point. We will be headed in somewhere near Iron or LaCroix but expect to be in the BW for a few days before hitting the border and crossing over. I really don't want to pay for a tow to go to Prairie to pick up a day use permit but don't see any options other than an annual pass.
Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, like always!

I think you are SOL, but I hope someone responds and I am wrong.

Annual pass or getting a permit from a station are the only legal methods I personally know of to get a day permit.

If you compare the cost of a tow, then the annual pass isn't so bad?

T

How does one apply for the annual pass and what is needed?

I am retired. I have time. I will get some information and post it.

From what I remember, the day passes have to be used by the day after picking them up. I might be wrong about that, but that is what I remember.

Call the park office and explain what you want to do. Odds are they will accommodate you. It's a "vehicle pass" by the way. Canoe or car, doesn't matter. They'll take your money.

I called the Park and was able to get an email back from the Park Superintendent. I appreciated the fact he was willing to take the time to email. The following paragraph is lifted from his email to me. I don't normally cut and paste someone's email but when I called I was clear I would be posting the Park's response on BWCA.com.
Here is his response:

Typically, we require that off season park visitors use one of the self-serve permit stations located at each of our park entry stations for both day use, and camping permits. In the off season, although no quota’s apply, park visitors who are camping still must use a designated entry point when they start their trip. For Day users, as is the case during the peak summer month, can enter the park anywhere. Occasionally, outfitters take self-serve envelopes from the self-serve stations and provide them to clients entering the park. This is not allowed by the park. Visitors entering the park in the off season should be visiting the actual self-serve stations to complete and pay for their off season permits. Off course for exceptional circumstances, folks can contact the park and arrange for alternative permit payment and pickup.

He did allow that exceptional circumstances sometimes do exist and they work with them. He also said I could hit Prairie and ask for a day permit for a number of days later. He also clarified an annual pass is good for the canoe itself, not the paddler. Annual passes can be had at Ontario Parks.

Hope this helps.

Thanks GC for calling and reporting. Sort of what I expected. Does make it harder for the user who is not going near a ranger station to get the day permit but seems not unreasonable.

Don't you think that the annual pass covers the canoe and it's occupants for day use? That seemed unclear. Understood not for overnight.

But thanks again for taking the time to do this.

Yes, the annual pass covers the canoe regardless of who is in it. It has some appeal in that you could swing into the Q any day you wanted to on unlimited BW trips. Still would need the RABC, passport to reenter, fishing license, etc. But the dreaded daily charge would be gone------and so would the camping in the Q.

I am able to get one of the "exceptional circumstance" considerations for a trip at the end of the month. They will allow me to call in a credit card number and mail me a day permit.
We will camp on the border somewhere and then take a super long day without much gear through the Q and then return to our campsite at the end of the day. Should be fun.

They are very accommodating in my experience. Nearly like a family business than a government agency, trying to provide a service and accept your money.

Have a great trip.

quote GraniteCliffs: "I called the Park and was able to get an email back from the Park Superintendent. I appreciated the fact he was willing to take the time to email. The following paragraph is lifted from his email to me. I don't normally cut and paste someone's email but when I called I was clear I would be posting the Park's response on BWCA.com.
Here is his response:


Typically, we require that off season park visitors use one of the self-serve permit stations located at each of our park entry stations for both day use, and camping permits. In the off season, although no quota’s apply, park visitors who are camping still must use a designated entry point when they start their trip. For Day users, as is the case during the peak summer month, can enter the park anywhere. Occasionally, outfitters take self-serve envelopes from the self-serve stations and provide them to clients entering the park. This is not allowed by the park. Visitors entering the park in the off season should be visiting the actual self-serve stations to complete and pay for their off season permits. Off course for exceptional circumstances, folks can contact the park and arrange for alternative permit payment and pickup.


He did allow that exceptional circumstances sometimes do exist and they work with them. He also said I could hit Prairie and ask for a day permit for a number of days later. He also clarified an annual pass is good for the canoe itself, not the paddler. Annual passes can be had at Ontario Parks.


Hope this helps. "

Great info thanks.

Good info....many thx for passing it on, GC....

Interesting. Thank you. Any chance you can share how much it costs to do a day trip into Q?

I believe 12 bucks for a canoe, regardless of how many people

The 2015 fee schedule says $17 but I could be wrong. The Quetico100 site is the best source for this kind of info IMHO.

The fee is $17 per person. We did get a day permit to enter Argo . The permit is valid for the day issued only. We were issued the permit on May 30th. The permit was for June 3rd. We were hoping for good weather. It rained the whole day. Trout fishing was good however. She made it clear that you are expected to be in and out on the same day.