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

2025 Triathalons

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

Family Day Weekend

The best outdoor activities for adventurous families.

Insider’s Guide to Neys

How to plan a trip to this under-the-radar provincial park.

Attention Detroit

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

Can't-Miss Skating Trails & Outdoor Rinks

15 best places to lace up.

Ontario Trail Races

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

Ontario Birding Checklist

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

Ontario’s Most Stunning Winter Resorts

13 places to book a snow-filled getaway to.

Adventure Races Ontario

Find out where to go and why you’ll love it.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park Guide

Escape to an island where cars are not allowed.

Bundle up for Snowy Horseback & Sleigh Rides

Ontario’s best winter equine adventures.

Ontario's Best Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Explore beneath the waves at these incredible destinations.

Go Foraging in Ontario

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

Hike The Best Trails

Discover your next great adventure.

Best Small Towns in Ontario

These 9 communities are gateways to outdoor adventure.

Hidden Gem: Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

Explore the trails, waterfalls and campsites of this little-known Ontario treasure.

All-Season Ontario Camping: 10 Incredible Yurts

Yurt adventures to discover in Ontario!

Winter Camping in Ontario

Find the best places to glamp, car camp & backcountry camp.

Ontario's Other Camping Option

10 best private campgrounds in the province.

Video: Paddle fast, easy & efficiently

Get tips from Ontario Sea Kayak Centre