BWCA & Quetico Entry Points
Every trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) or Quetico Provincial Park starts with picking an entry point — and in both places, entry is regulated by a permit system. Here's what you need to know before you plan your route, plus where to get the official, up-to-date details.
BWCA Entry Points (Minnesota)
The BWCA is divided into numbered entry points spread across four main ranger districts. Each entry point has its own daily quota during the busy season, so popular entries can fill up months in advance.
- Cook / La Croix Ranger District — entries around Crane Lake, Trout Lake, and the Echo Trail.
- Ely / Kawishiwi Ranger District — entries around Moose Lake, Snowbank Lake, Fall Lake, and Lake One.
- Tofte / Isabella Ranger District — entries around Sawbill, Baker, and Brule Lakes.
- Grand Marais / Gunflint Ranger District — entries along the Gunflint Trail, including Seagull and Saganaga Lakes.
Permits: Overnight paddle, motor, and hiking trips (May 1 – September 30) require a quota permit, reserved through Recreation.gov. Reservations for the upcoming season typically open in late January. Outside the quota season, self-issued permits are available at trailheads.
For the current list of entry point numbers, daily quotas, and ranger district contacts, always check the U.S. Forest Service BWCAW permit page — quotas and restrictions can change season to season.
Quetico Entry Points (Ontario, Canada)
Quetico Provincial Park is accessed through a handful of ranger stations and interior entry points, most commonly:
- Prairie Portage Ranger Station
- Cache Bay Ranger Station
- Beaverhouse Lake
- Lac La Croix
- Nym Lake / Atikokan (Park Headquarters)
- Dawson Trail Campground
Permits: Quetico requires an interior camping permit, bookable up to five months in advance on a first-come, first-served basis through Ontario Parks.
Crossing from the U.S.? The RABC System Has Been Retired
If your route crosses from the Boundary Waters into Quetico at a remote entry point (for example Prairie Portage or Cache Bay), note that the old Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit program has been retired. RABC permits stopped being issued and the program officially closed on September 13–14, 2026.
In its place, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has rolled out a telephone reporting system. As of the 2026 season, designated telephone reporting sites are active at Prairie Portage and Cache Bay — paddlers report their entry into Canada by phone from these locations instead of using an RABC permit or reporting in person at a staffed port of entry.
Because this is a new process and details (phone numbers, site locations, hours) may continue to be refined, always confirm the current procedure directly with CBSA before your trip:
- CBSA — Remote Area Border Crossing Program & Telephone Reporting Updates (official)
- Ontario Parks — Quetico Camping & Permits
If you're crossing from the U.S. through a remote entry point, don't assume your old RABC permit or process still applies — check the official CBSA page above for the current telephone reporting requirements before you go.
Not Sure Which Map You Need?
Use our map finder guides to match your entry point to the right map:
See What's Near Your Route
Once you know your entry point, check our BWCAW Historic Sites & Points of Interest guide — it's searchable by region, so you can see if there's a pictograph, old fire tower, hidden waterfall, or other point of interest near the route you're planning.
Permit quotas, fees, ranger station hours, and border reporting procedures change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm exact entry point availability and rules with the official Forest Service, Ontario Parks, or CBSA sites before finalizing your route.
