In an effort to maintain a constant wilderness quality camping experience in these pristine areas, both the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), of Minnesota, and the Quetico Provincial Park of Ontario, Canada are managed by a set of rules and regulations.

Each wilderness area has a 9-person limit on the number of people who may travel and camp together at one time. Groups exceeding the 9 person limit must break into sub groups. The subgroups may travel on the same general routes, but must remain seperate at all times. Portaging, traveling and camping together in groups larger than 9 people is strickly prohibited.

Both the Quetico Park and the BWCAW promote no-trace camping. For this reason, no foods packaged in cans or bottles are allowed. Fresh and freeze-dried foods packaged in plastic or foil pouches or carried in plastic containers are permitted. Campers are required to bring out all garbage. Do not burn plastic or foil packaging and always leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.

Any activities that require the use of soap products (bathing, washing dishes, etc.) must be done at least 100 feet from the shoreline.

It is recommended that you boil or treat your water before drinking. If you choose to drink directly from the lakes, avoid stagnant backwaters and areas where beavers are active.

Collect firewood away from the camp. Gather branches from dead and fallen trees along the shoreline. Never cut down or remove branches or bark from live trees.

Traveling from lake to lake and around water hazards will require physically picking-up your canoe and equipment and traveling across a portage trail. Where ever you encounter a portage trail please use it. They have been placed there for your safety. Don't run the rapids in your canoe - it's a long, difficult walk home.

Wilderness etiquette encourages minimal noise while traveling and camping. Responsible noise levels not only shows your respect for fellow campers and nature, but also offers you the opportunity to see various forms of wildlife. To fully experience the wilderness around you, consider leaving your radio, tapeplayer and CD-player at home.

Travel permits are necessary to enter either of the wilderness areas. The travel permit system is designed to limit the number of visitors by day and area. For the optimum variety of entry points and dates plan your trip early. The travel permits become available in December and January.

The BWCAW requires that you camp at designated campsites, which contain a wilderness box latrine and a prepositioned firegrate. The Quetico Park offers a more primative style of camping that allows you to camp anywhere as long as you do not cut down any trees. You carry your own firegrate and latrine shovel.

Both wilderness areas offer excellent opportunities for fishing. Clean fish away from camp and leave the remains on an exposed rock away from the campsite. Fishing licenses for BWCAW trips (Minnesota) are available at the Canadian Border Outfitters base camp. Canadian fishing licenses may obtained at a Canadian Ranger station the morning your trip begins.

The Quetico Park offers day-use vehicle tags may be purchased from any Canadian ranger station. The day-use vehicle tag allows you to travel on to the Canadian side for the day as long as you return and camp on the US side at night. If you plan to fish on the Canadian side you are also required to purchase a Canadian fishing license.

Pre and post season Canadian trips must apply for a Remote Border Crossing Pass. Once approved, the Remote Border Crossing Pass allows you to legally enter the Quetico Park before or after the regular season. A drop box is provided at ranger station to pay camping fees by cash only. If a fishing trip is planned during this time, fishing licenses will also need to be purchased in advance. Call for details on Remote Border Crossing Passes and Pre/Post season fishing licenses.

Thanks to Canadian Border Outfitters for sharing this information on Boundary Waters.