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

Winter Wonderland Fun

The best winter activities in Ontario.

Vacation Hotspots

5 budget-friendly destinations for kids.

Ray mears on wabakimi

Canadian canoe journeys are always special.

Big views, no big backpack

Lake Superior's 10 best hikes you can do in a day

All-Season Ontario Camping: 10 Incredible Yurts

Yurt adventures to discover in Ontario!

16 Perfect Fall Hikes in Ontario

Add these trails to your bucket list.

Family Day Weekend

The best outdoor activities for adventurous families.

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

Love canoes?

See Ray Mears and more at Temagami Canoe Festival.

"how to" video

Learn the cross-bow draw

Whats The Ultimate GoPro Test?

Whitewater rafting

Point Grondine Park Updates

Eco-Cabin, lakeside recreational area & more

Love Wildlife?

Must see parks and attractions for animal-lovers.

Want to go snowshoeing?

Discover Ontario’s best trails and getaways.

A Whitewater Awakening

Teaming up on the Brightsands River

Urban Paddling

Is it part of the Canadian Canoe Culture?

Skills Video: How to launch & land with style

Get tips from Ontario Sea Kayak Centre

Video: Feel the rush

Learn how to run a waterfall & punch holes

Cold nights

Equals fast trails