(You need to Login or Register

Anyone else use this? Looks great to me.

Unless things have changed, it's only for car-camping.  Back-country hasn't been available in the past.

I think things have changed. I went through the process up to the point of payment. Still the rules are only five months in advance and if the ranger station isn't open during your trip you can't reserve- those permits are on a "first come first served" basis.

I find it interesting just seeing what's booked up. I don't usually make reservations so the Availability Calendar will be very helpful in that regard. It seems to account for non/resident quota differences. Wonder if it frees any unused resident quotas ~3 days out.

The added ability to reserve Q backcountry sites on Jan 1, 2012.  I think they have not cleaned up a warning that you must still do them by phone, but another poster at BWCA.COM did reserve one and I tried it to the point they asked for payment, so believe it is indeed true.

I just went through the reservation process and confirmed my backcountry Q permit.  Everything seemed fine but I did have to email a confirmation to myself - it doesn't do it automatically.  Looks legit to me.

FWIW, after 2 attempts and 2 hours, the confirmation email never came.

I looked at the web site yesterday.  The 888 number said you would save money if you used the web site to reserve a date for Quetico.  My entry date will be June 16 so I will let you know how it works.  The site will not let you go more than 5 months into the future.
Westwood

According to someone else who called, the savings is $1 of res fee - don't know of CA or US but can guess.  Yes. 5 months out and not before mid May or after late September - just like before.  I like the idea I can easily see what permits are or are not available quickly.  It was a little arduous to get an image of what was available over several days over the telephone.  Got to think this system will prompt more people to reserve themselves and rely on outfitters for their service less.

Westwood wrote on Jan 12^th, 2012 at 10:59pm:

The site will not let you go more than 5 months into the future. Westwood

5 months is the rule for all reservations on OntPPs.
There are also penalties for cancelling/changing 4 months or less before the entry date.  I think they get punitively higher the closer to your entry date you make the change.

People used to book their favourite sites a year in advance and for the maximum stay allowed, cherry-picking the best sites.  Then they wouldn't use the reservation.  The site goes empty.  The park doesn't collect their cash.  People who would have used the site can't.  Basically it became a de-facto case of if you could afford it you could claim a site and have it go vacant.  In a fit of rightous egalitarianism (justly so imo) restrictions & penalties were put in place with the result being more people using the parks and 'offenders' paying the price for their campsite-camping ways.

What's really fun is trying to book a yurt.  They go fast.

Westwood wrote:

"What's really fun is trying to book a yurt.  They go fast."

Probably true in canoeing season but no so in Quetico in winter. But then that's an even "Quieter Journey". :)

I went to the site today to reserve for June 16 entering Dawson Trail on Pickerel Lake.  Everything went well and took about 10 minutes to complete.  Except for one date every day for May and June was available.  When I was done, I printed off the confirmation page.  It took longer than a phone call did, but I'm sure it will be quicker next time.  Plus, I could do it after 5:00 PM and unlike a phone call you don't get a busy signal or put on hold.  Overall I liked how it worked.

Westwood

Just a quick followup with my experience with the on-line reservation system.  In less than 3 hours I received two follow-up e-mails including a confirmation of my reservation.
Westwood

Westwood wrote on Jan 19^th, 2012 at 2:43am:

Just a quick followup with my experience with the on-line reservation system.  In less than 3 hours I received two follow-up e-mails including a confirmation of my reservation. Westwood

Good.  It appears they got my note.

Just made my reservation for a Batchewaung entry on 6/3. The system seemed great and received a confirmation email immediately.

Planning the same trip I did 2 years ago with my son to Sturgeon Lake (BIG Pike, cedar strip canoe, if you remember my trip report here). This time I'm taking his twin brother. Can't wait!

PhantomJug wrote on Jan 12^th, 2012 at 5:38pm:

FWIW, after 2 attempts and 2 hours, the confirmation email never came.

4 months later, my confirmation email arrived today.  Not that I needed it but it was nice of them to remind me that I can enter the park next Sunday.

I also used it for my Beaverhouse entry for August and then for Dawson Trails for some car camping. I thought the calendar was a good idea and to what kind of numbers the entry points get - some get booked faster than others - not surprising.  :)

PhantomJug wrote on May 14^th, 2012 at 6:01pm:

PhantomJug wrote on Jan 12th, 2012 at 5:38pm: FWIW, after 2 attempts and 2 hours, the confirmation email never came. 4 months later, my confirmation email arrived today.  Not that I needed it but it was nice of them to remind me that I can enter the park next Sunday.

The story of CAMIS, the contractor who runs the reservations, is amusing at best & insulting at worst.  Perfect example of government outsourcing to everyone's detriment.

I love that website. You can click through two weeks at a crack and see what's booked.