Gunflint Trail Wilderness Information

Gunflint Trail Canoe Trips - Grand Marais - Minnesota

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Gunflint Trail Home

Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Minnesota

Gunflint Wilderness Information:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness & Quetico
Concern for the Wilderness
Wilderness Rules & Regulations
Canoe Trip Permits & Reservations
Remote Border Crossing Permits

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Park: Together the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Park make up the largest canoe wilderness in the world. The BWCAW alone contains over 1000 lakes and 1200 miles of canoe routes through a variety of terrains across lakes, streams and rivers.

There is a long and colorful history behind the canoe country-- from the days when these lakes were home to the several native tribes, through the current struggles over preservation of this largest wilderness area east of the rockies. There are many fascinating books on the subject that can be a nice addition to the enjoyment of your trip through canoe country.

Many of the features of the land and lakes were fashioned during the last ice age as great glaciers scoured clean vast sections of North America. Evidence of the glaciers is readily apparent today in the smoothed granite with parallel striations and gently rolling shorelines along the larger lakes. Throughout canoe country, cliffs, valleys and ridges follow patterns established by the progress of the glaciers.

Natives lived in the canoe country for thousands of years before the first explorers arrived. Many of the portage trails and canoe routes were well established in 1689 when Jacques DeNoyan was led to Lake of the Woods by native guides. Since then, there have been missionaries, explorers searching for the Northwest Passage, traders seeking the fine and plentiful pelts of beaver and otter to supply the fashion trends of Europe, prospectors, and timbermen harvesting the expanses of towering pines. Fortunately, the part of the region we know as the BWCAW and Quetico Park were, in great measure, spared the ravages of the steam shovel and the chain saw. It is ironic that the rugged terrain and numerous lakes that make the canoe country so spectacular prevented the prospectors and loggers from penetrating its interior.

Today, both the BWCAW and Quetico Park are protected from logging, mining, and commercial development within their borders. During the last century there have been a few hearty souls that chose to live within this extraordinary region. It was a hard life to be sure and nothing came easy. Homes were built with an axe and perhaps a saw. They lived by what could be caught, killed, gathered or carried back from the rare trip into the nearest town. Many of theirs lives and stories are recounted in books now that they are all gone. Your outfitters can help you find some titles or even spin a few yarns about some of the Old Timers.

Now the only residents are the original ones: moose, otters, squirrels, eagles and many others animals. We are visitors to the canoe country and should respect the home of our hosts.

Concern for Wilderness: The Boundary Waters and Quetico are fragile places and the outfitters of the Gunflint Trail are concerned for the area. "Leave no trace" camping practices are the standard here and your group will be instructed in minimum impact camping techniques through rules the United States Forest Service issues as well as practices your outfitter recommends. Remember that you are only a visitor here.

As a group, the people behind the outfitting businesses are very concerned that this area retain its wilderness character. Many of us live here year round, raising our families close to nature and hopefully passing on the concern for wilderness. The Gunflint Trail Association is involved in projects from planting trees along roadsides to contributing time and equipment for portage clearing and trail maintenance in the spring.

Education is the key to maintaining the wilderness character of the BWCAW and Quetico Park. Your outfitter will provide and explain the rules and regulations you need to be aware of and follow while visiting in canoe country. Listed below are a few of the rules from the U.S. Forest Service.

Wilderness Rules and Regulations:
Group size:
Nine people and four watercraft is the maximum group size. Smaller groups reduce the impact to the area and increase your wilderness experience.

Campsites:
You may only camp at the U.S. Forest Service developed campsites or within Primitive Management Areas specifically designated on your visitors permit. The developed sites have a firegrate, tent pad and box latrine. Make sure that all garbage is packed out and that the site is cleaner than you found it. Leaving a pile of extra fire wood will be appreciated by the next campers.

Campfires:
Open campfires are only allowed within the steel firegrates at developed campsites. A small camp stove is often better for cooking since it heats more quickly, has less impact, and can be used in rainy weather. If you do build a fire, use only dead wood found laying on the ground; collect wood away from campsites to reduce the impact. It is illegal to cut live vegetation for any reason. Drown your fires with water any time you are away from camp and stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch.

Food and clean up:
Cans and glass bottles are not allowed except for containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines and other personal items that are not foods or beverages. Food may be stored in plastic containers that are packed out with you. Keep a clean campsite-- scraps of food will attract unwanted visitors. Do not burn trash-- make sure everything is packed out.

Water quality:
Bathe and wash dishes at least 150 feet from lakes and streams. Soaps pollute the water! Use toilet facilities at existing campsites, or if you are hiking, dig a pit at least 150 feet from the waters edge. Fish entrails should be buried six inches deep. State law prohibits putting fish remains into the water.

Canoe Trip Permits and Reservations:
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park are operated on a reservation system to control the number of people at an acceptable level at all times. Permits are reserved for a specific lake entry point on a specific day. Permits are reserved for a specific number of days, but exit date is flexible. Each party is limited to a maximum of 9 people and a maximum of 4 watercraft.

Depending upon where you choose to travel, there can be both reservation fees and user fees (actual fees will depend upon the route you like and a number of days). Your outfitter can help you get the right permit for the route you want and will usually make the reservation for you. As cooperators with the United States Forest Service, your outfitter is licensed to issue your permit and give you instructions in "leave no trace" camping.

Because there are a limited numbers of permits, it is in your best interest to make reservations early. The routes that are more desirable and/or easier fill up first; also popular dates like holiday weekends fill quickly. Give yourself the best chance at a trip that you will remember for many years to come. There are significantly fewer permits for the Quetico than for the Boundary Waters. It is especially important to make your Quetico reservations as easy as possible to permit entry on the date you desire.

"Lottery" reservation requests may be placed in mid-November for following summer for the BWCAW, and are processed in mid-January. Mail, fax, and online reservations, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, may be placed as early as January 20; phone reservations begin on February 1.

The best thing to do is to call an outfitter as soon as you decide you want to visit the area. There are almost always options for trips even up until the last minute, but the more popular (easier to access, fewer long portages, etc.) routes fill up first, and desirable dates in the most popular months will be the first to fill as well.

Permits & Fees: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)

To make a reservation on your own or call 1-877-550-6777.

The fee to make a reservation is $12, and you will make a $20 deposit if your trip includes overnight stays in the BWCAW. The use fee is $10 per adult and $5 per child (for the trip, not per night), and will be applied to your deposit.

You will pay your remaining fees when you pick up your permit, either at your outfitters or at the USFS Ranger Station (you need to let the person taking your reservation know where you will be picking up your permit).

When you make your reservation you will need to designate a trip leader and alternate trip leaders. One of these designated persons must pick up the permit in person and remain with the group throughout the wilderness trip. You cannot change the designated leaders once the reservation is placed, so be sure to have this information on hand when you call or go online.

Permits & Fees: Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada:

To make a reservation on your own or call 1-888-668-7275

The fee to make a reservation is $12 (Canadian), and you will make a $100 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. The use fee is $20 per adult per night and $8 per child per night, and will be applied to your deposit.

You will pay your remaining fees when you pick up your permit, at the Cache Bay Ranger Station.

If you are visiting the Quetico, you will also need a Remote Border Crossing Permit for each member of your party (see below).

Remote Border Crossing Permits: If you want to visit Canada at any point during your stay (including canoeing in the Quetico Provincial Park or fishing on the Canadian side, for example) you will need a Remote Border Crossing Permit, since you are not reporting to a port of entry. The annual cost is $30.00 (Canadian) per family (defined as spouses and dependents). The easiest way to obtain the Remote Border Crossing Permit application is online. Follow the instructions on this web site, and be sure to allow 4-6 weeks for the application to be processed. If you prefer, an outfitter can mail you a copy of the necessary paperwork.

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Gunflint Trail Video

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