Canoeing in Quetico Provincial Park
Discover the Nor’Wester Spirit as you Paddle the Canadian Heritage Voyageur Canoe Routes as a wilderness eco-traveler of today with modern day services – eco-travel made simple!
Explore pristine lakes and rivers, view wildlife, hike picturesque “portage” trails - you’ll enjoy nature's peaceful rhythm at Voyageur Island and Quetico as they’re only accessible only by water.
And with Quetico’s complete mechanical vehicles ban this guarantees a truly tranquil Canadian wilderness experience.
Canoeing is a Canadian heritage activity, as well as a wonderful pastime and there’s something for every taste and ability, from those with little experience to the expert eco-traveler.
Quetico is also included as a segment of the Trans Canada Trail, Path of the Paddle route.
Browse trips run by our local travel partners
REVIEW
Quetico is a world-renowned destination for backcountry canoeing in pristine protected wilderness. You’ll find plenty of wilderness, culture, history and nature’s song at Voyageur Island and in Quetico Park that it’s sure to excite and engage you to embrace each awesome moment!
Quetico boasts 5,000 square kilometres of designated wilderness which includes 1,400 kilometres of canoe routes and 612+ portages.
Quetico is accessible only by water, except for the family friendly campground Dawson Trail, and its “backcountry” is definitely unique due to its special area designation and complete mechanical ban - no motorboats, no ATVs, nor airplanes in the park which preserves its natural and remote splendour and allows you to explore its rugged beauty, sheltered lakes, majestic waterfalls and virgin pine forests.
Wildlife abounds in Quetico too as this protected wilderness creates an incredible habitat for an abundance of species including plants, mammals, birds, fish and amphibians.
Enjoy a swim in crystal clear waters, portage into remote areas, cast in a fishing line for world class angling, paddle historic canoe routes used by the Voyageur people, discover Aboriginal pictographs and at night watch for the Aurora Borealis/northern lights.
Quetico combines unique natural history with the cultural heritage of the Aboriginals. Enjoy interpretive tours that engage you with living history and reconnects you with natural environment. As well, the friendly small Anishiabe community of Lac La Croix is rich in culture and is one of multiple Park entry stations.
The historical canoe water routes of Quetico are also designated as a segment of Path of the Paddle, Trans Canada Trail in Northwestern Ontario.
You can explore the heart of the Park for two days or on activity-packed weeks, while tour companies offer all-inclusive packages for your adventures as well as trip and route planning.
TOP 5 EXPERIENCES
Quetico’s fresh water
This is due to its geographic location just west of the ‘height of land’ (Laurentian Watershed Divide). With spring-fed watershed it is one of the most pure fresh water systems on the Earth. Combining with Quetico’s protection its magnificent waterfalls, marshlands, river, streams and lakes all naturally work to sustain an incredible eco-system.
Quetico’s pristine wilderness
Internationally acclaimed and accessible only by canoe water routes. With an imposed ban on mechanical vehicles, the absence of human impacts which includes no signage for campsites or portages and ‘Leave No Trace’ practices, this guarantees solitude, untouched wilderness and a genuine reconnection to nature in perfect harmony.
Quetico's historical Canadian canoe routes
Its expansive wilderness reflects Aboriginal and Voyageur history that resonates in the water, land, air and nature’s heartbeat. From majestic 500 year pictographs to the network of historical Canadian canoe routes, it’s an incredible journey.
Quetico's fishing
Listed as some of the best sport fishing Canada has to offer. It offers literally 1,400 kilometres of lakes and rivers that’s home to various fish species. Perhaps the best attraction of fishing in this remote area is that you have to have a taste for adventure to experience it.
Wildlife watching and nature photography
The park abounds in wildlife with one area boasting four moose per square mile. There's an excellent chance of seeing moose, beaver, otter, marten, bald eagles, loons as well as 90 species of birds nesting here.
WHEN TO GO
Best times to go:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak travel season in Quetico Park is July and to mid-August but avid travelers visit starting May until mid to late September.
However, that being said, Quetico’s peak season is not crowded nor overused due to park entry permits which regulate visitor numbers. So you can arrive during peak season and still have a wonderful wilderness experience.
Or think outside that timeframe and truly enjoy June or mid-August into September which could include a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights.
OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO
1. XY Company Hand-Crafted Paddles is dedicated to beautiful quality paddles. Their unique craftsmanship combines a variety of proven and distinct woods, weight, balance and durability which are just some elements to their paddle designs. Each piece is not only an awesome paddle – it is a unique work of Canadian art.
2. Canoe manufacture companies: Fletcher Canoes manufactures high-quality cedar-canvass canoes using traditional methods and quality materials. Renowned Bill Mason paddled a Fletcher Canoe. And Souris River Canoes fabricates many of their own parts and designs in order to ensure high quality and innovative, epoxy-resin/Kevlar canoes.
3. Experience the Nor’Wester Spirit on your ultimate escape to Quetico Park’s pristine wilderness. This signature package of seven days/six nights combines a day/night experience on exclusive Voyageur Island before and after your customized Quetico flatwater canoe trip.
BOOKS & MAPS
Maps: Quetico Provincial Park map. While you’re here: Perhaps add on a tour to take in Thunder Bay, ON, explore a fur-traders' fort at Fort William Historical Park. And visit the “Height of Land” / Laurentian Divide geographic marker on Cdn Hwy 11 near Quetico Dawson Trail Entry.
Books: Quetico: Near to Natures Hear by Jon Nelson and Quetico: Into the Wild by Joanie and Gary McGuffin plus A Paddler’s Guide to Quetico & Beyond by Kevin Callan