I'm going on a 14 day solo trip starting @ Beaverhouse on September 4th. I realize that is Labor Day weekend, but the holiday helps my vacation time. If anyone will be up in that area of the park then, let me know, maybe we can meet up!


I'm sure of my EXACT route yet, but Jimbo has already given me some GREAT advice on a good plan. I'll give more details closer to the launch date.

If you're planning to park in the lot at Beaverhouse that weekend, I'd get there early. I put in there last Sept. on Saturday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. The lot was packed, I almost could not find a spot to jam my car in.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I'm planning on getting my permits from the ranger station the day before and heading out early in the morning (I'm correct in that I can do this, yes?).

I've never been able to get my permit on any day other than the day my confirmation letter says I will be entering the park.  As far as I know and in my experience, I've never heard of an exception being made to the daily quota.

PJ,

I think I may have confused some things. I'll probably be able to check in on Friday and enter the park then (I haven't made my reservations yet so I'll just add an extra day)....I'll just have to leave VERY early in the AM. Any idea when the stations close down for the day?

Last year HQ closed at 4:15. Dawson Trail closed 8:30 until mid Sept. I don't believe  BH (~4:30) would issue a permit for the next day but HQ and DT will. The purpose of an entry quota is entering the day your permit states. Entering a day before or after would be uncool unless you had a good weather/safety type reason for the later.

"I've never been able to get my permit on any day other than the day my confirmation letter says I will be entering the park.  As far as I know and in my experience, I've never heard of an exception being made to the daily quota."

I've had different experience, but using the Atikokan office may give me more opitons.

I have been able to change my entry date to one day earlier than my reserved date, at least twice - that depends on availablility of entry permits for that earlier date of course.  Typically, I plan my long drive with a "cushion" in case I can't make good time traveling.  So I often get to Atikokan the day before my reserved entry - if its early enough when I get there, I go ahead and try to rearrange my entry date - I either add a day to my canoe trip, or shift my timing a day ahead.

I have also picked up my reserved entry permit the day before my entry date on several occasions - you typically can't do that until later in the afternoon though - they don't want to hold up the people entering on that date - so it depends on time of day and how busy the office is, but I've been able to pick up the permit the day before I enter the park.

That'susing Atikokan, I don't know how the remote ranger stations like Beaverhouse would handle it, but I'd think it would be the same?

DB,

Thanks for the info, I'm going to be shooting for the that time, if not, oh well :)

Mad Mat,
This is my hope. I'm going to make the reservations for the 4th, if I get up there early enough on the 3rd I'll see if I can go to the headquarters and pick it up, if not I do it 1st thing when they open on the 4th.

Anyone recommend a place to stay in Atikokan?

Have used the method db & Mad_Mat describe many-a-time out of the Atikokan office with great success (usually headed in early the next morning at Beaverhouse & not willing to wait around for HQ to open shop).  One caveat... don't make your HQ arrival time too close to the office's quitting time (call ahead to check on that).  They are not merciful in my experience!  The door closes at quitting time whether the entire line has been served or not!

Least-ways, that was what I saw a few years back.  Could be that Robin has fixed that problem....

Jimbo   8-)

I usually arrive in Atikokan, on a Friday, go in Saturday morning at Beaverhouse.
I get there about noon, gas up, have lunch, visit Beer store and go to office and get permit for Saturday.
Never had a problem. Jimbo's right though, their very punctual on office times. You get there late, they won't stay open to accommodate you ;)

Duly noted on getting there early. That will make things so much easier and faster getting on the water.

I'm excited to be going this way, I've never visited Atikokan....PS, I've looked and looked and looked and never actually spoken to somone who's been there or knows of it etc.....HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT?! :-[

Atikokaneh?

LOL

at-a-COKE-in ---- That's how I say it anyway. a-ti-COKE-in? They hit the consonants a little harder I think.

There's the White Otter (Inn?) on the main drag. After that is another motel a few blocks down the same rd you can't miss but it may not be open. A little farther but on the left is the Atikokan Hotel. I've stayed at them all and don't have a real preference. The White Otter has a restaurant/bar.

ah-da-KO-kin is how I hear it.  Elongate the O sound a bit like in Copenhagen.  And then it's said a little like you're asking a question.

Thanks! You really don't want to know how I was saying it in my head  :-[      Thanks for the lodging info as well!

My wife and I stayed at the White Otter Inn this past August.  A very basic motel room.  The walls are like dorm rooms and are simply cement blocks painted white.  Our room was $100 for the night.  The White Otter is better than the other motel.  The Atikokan Hotel is on the same road as the other two motels, but is hard to find because there is no sign which says Atikokan Hotel.  We drove through the rest of Atikokan and did not find any other motel/hotel in the town.
I agree with Web-lackey on the prononciation of Atikokan.

Westwood

Thanks westwood. I don't need much as far as the room goes, just a bed. The White Otter seems to fit that bill perfectly

You could always try the "Old Rose Motel".  On second thought; nevermind.   :-X

For the truly adventurous, how about the Steep Rock Inn?!  :-X

Is your trip still on?  It's less than a month away if it is.