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

Stargazing in Ontario

4 of the best places to see the night sky.

Activities in Muskoka

Your ultimate guide for things to do year-round.

9 of the Most Beautiful Fall Destinations

And they’re all in Ontario.

Rock Climbing

You Know Why. Here’s How.

Canoeing in Toronto

Locals share best places to paddle in the GTA.

SUP in the city

The top 6 places to paddleboard in Toronto.

Learn to Skijor

Cross-country skiing with your dog just got better.

Get Inspired for Your Next Adventure

15 photos that’ll have you trip planning in no time.

An Adventure Cycling Dream Come True

Explore a new leg of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

Hiking Trails in Ontario

Find the path to your next outdoor adventure here.

be inspired on the algoma grand drive

James shares his top 7 Group of Seven moments

Feelin' the vibe

Cycle Touring on Manitoulin Island

Want a magical family holiday?

Discover Ontario’s enchanted winter wonderland.

Planning a Family Vacation?

Here's how to do it right.

Beyond City Limits

Must-see landscapes in Ontario.

Paddle the waters Less travelled

Discover Algonquin's true wilderness

So you think you can paddle

Test your limit at The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge

watch World's top canoeing short film

Shot in Wabakimi Provincial Park

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL

Point Grondine Park near Killarney, Ontario

Best Backcountry Camping in Ontario

7 destinations that are wild with beauty and fun.