Escape to the Backcountry

Local outfitters and lodges offer exceptional outfitting services for guided or unguided trips.

World-renowned for its rugged beauty, sheltered lakes, majestic waterfalls and virgin pine forests, Quetico Provincial Park offers some of the world’s best backcountry canoeing. You’ll find plenty of wilderness here, as except for family friendly campground Dawson Trail, the park is only accessible by water. What’s more, a complete mechanical ban has helped preserve the park’s natural quiet and remote splendour. It is even wilder now than when it was formed more than 100 years ago.

Some areas of the park are more easily travelled than others. Portages and campsites are not signed so trip planning and wilderness navigation skills are necessary. 

Trip Planning Outfitters blue banner

Outfitters 

Accommodation

If you are not pursuing the Northwest Quest and you don’t want to camp for all or any of your canoeing adventure, you can stay in rustic luxury at a unique wilderness lodge, cabin, yurt or outpost and do canoe day trips.

Outfitter Air Service

Travel Information Blue banner

Don’t Miss 

About 1 hour east of Quetico Provincial Park is Thunder Bay. Located on the shore of the Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, it has everything you need to get outfitted properly for your adventure and all the urban culinary and cultural attractions to complete your memorable epic adventure.

While in Thunder Bay, explore back in time to the year 1815 to experience the fur trade at Fort William Historical Park. There are 42 authentic, reconstructed buildings on the site and actors in period dress to bring it to life.

Backcountry Banner

For information on park fees and reservations, click here.

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Natural Highs

7 magnificent mountains in Ontario to climb, hike, ride, ski and more.

Crown Land Camping

What it is and where you can camp in Ontario.

Beach Camping in Ontario

14 sandy places to pitch your tent and swim to your heart’s content.

Get 2 for 1 coupon

Outdoor Adventure Show Feb 24 to 26, 2017

11 Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful Landscapes

Don't miss the splendours of Northern Ontario

19 Winter Activities to Add to Your Bucket List

Must-do activities that are snow much fun.

March Break in Ontario

Discover the best camps, activities and adventures for 2025.

Insider’s Guide to Sleeping Giant

Everything you need to plan a trip to this iconic provincial park.

Go Foraging in Ontario

Learn the basics of how to harvest wild edibles found across the province.

Plan Your Adventure

10 amazing sights you can only see in winter in Ontario.

2024 Triathalons

Swim, cycle and run your way to triathlete status at these Ontario events.

Bundle up for Snowy Horseback & Sleigh Rides

Ontario’s best winter equine adventures.

Explore Ontario’s Hidden Gems

18 destinations you need to visit.

Dog Sledding in Ontario

Your guide to this exhilarating winter activity.

Call Us Crazy

23 Adrenaline Rushes Found Only in Ontario

Dogs Welcome!

Top dog-friendly resorts.

Get Hooked in Algonquin

Plan the ultimate spring brook trout canoe trip

12 Reasons to Go to the Slate Islands

Rare wildlife, Arctic tundra, awesome paddling, and more!

Ontario Trail Races

Find out where to test your limits and get out in the woods.

Top of the Giant Trail

Get tips on this amazing Sleeping Giant hike.