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. 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

Crown Land Camping

What it is and where you can camp in Ontario.

2026 Triathalons

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

Insider’s Guide to Sleeping Giant

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

Ontario Birding Checklist

Keep an eye on the skies for these 10 incredible species.

Visit Killbear Provincial Park

Everything you need to know to plan a trip to this idyllic park.

Incredible Swimming in Ontario

12 best destinations to take a summer dip.

Algonquin Park Guide

Everything you need to know to plan a trip to this world-class destination.

Beach Camping in Ontario

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

Guide to Restoule Provincial Park

Find out how to plan a front or backcountry trip to this little-known gem.

Attention Detroit

A short drive gets you a lot of vacation fun in Ontario, Canada

Natural Highs

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

6 Best Places To Camp On Manitoulin

Book a campsite as your base to roam this chill oasis.

Best Places to Glamp in Ontario

No roughing it here.

Top of the Giant Trail

Get tips on this amazing hike at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Guide to Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Find out how to plan a backcountry or frontcountry camping trip to this incredible park in Northern Muskoka.

Hike the Lake Superior Coastal Trail

Discover beaches, lookouts, and sacred sites on this 65 km trail.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park Guide

Escape to an island where cars are not allowed.

Ontario's Best Family Resorts

Your trip planning starts here.

Ontario Trail Races 2026

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

Visitor's Guide to Quetico Provincial Park

Everything you need to know to plan your adventure of a lifetime.