The best camping near Quetico Provincial Park

With 106 designated French River campsites and over 2,200 wild sites amid rock cliffs, waterfalls, and lakes, Quetico Provincial Park is a silent retreat for campers, stargazers, and paddlers. The nearly 5,000-square-kilometre park spills into Minnesota’s Superior National Forest in the US (don’t forget your passport!), and visitors can opt to bring in supplies and canoe gear, hire an outfitter, or head out on a rare fly-in backcountry canoe tour. To give your paddling arms a rest, Quetico’s 35 kilometres of hiking routes range from 30-minutes-easy to six-hours-strenuous.

• Best for jumping onto the trails: At the south end of the Ojibwa Campground, find trailheads for The Pines, Baptism Creek, and the Whiskey Jack Trail. The campground also has two tiny beaches on the waterfront.
• Best for quiet alone time: With only 21 sites, the Chippewa Campground sites are spread out for privacy.
• Best for access to amenities: The Chippewa Campground is close to the park entrance and the active day-use area complete with a winter retreat and art studio.

1. Backcountry sites require permits available only at ranger stations at your arrival time.
2. It’s recommended that you book campground reservations online via Parks Canada up to five months before your visit.
3. Late arrivals are not allowed for those with reservations, unless held up by high winds.
4. Park has several access points; choose a corresponding canoe start from the same access point nearest your campsite

June and July are prime time for fishing and canoeing but be warned: the blackflies and mosquitoes can be horrendous. Pack bug spray. In summer, the nearby Anishinaabe community of Lac La Croix invites visitors to many activities, festivals, and traditional pow wows. Winter skiing is fabulous, but dress appropriately, as temperatures range between -9°C and -21°C. Year-round cabins and a winter retreat mean you can cozy up after skiing through groomed trails.

• Bring food and supplies regardless of season as there are few stores nearby. It is an offence to possess non-burnable and non-reusable food or beverage containers—take out what you take in.
• Plan out your canoe routes before arriving to avoid getting lost. Better yet, contact an organization such as the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness for route ideas or read Robert Beymer’s book, “A Paddler’s Guide to Quetico.” 
• The park’s TackleShare program provides fishing rods and tackle for kids’ first fishing experience. 
• The John B. Ridley Research Library is worth visiting for nature-buffs.
• If you’re considering booking multiple campsites with the family, ensure they’re in the same campground area as campgrounds can be as far as 2 kilometres apart.
• The park’s entry station has access to some of the best lakes in the region.