Good to know.  Thanks.  How long ago did you first call?

prouboy

It's about time is all I can say!  We are slowly getting calls from their office for Quetico permits we have called in.  They don't "do" all the permits at once, they call with each one, going down the list.  They could have saved a lot of money on phone calls by just doing all the ones we called in.

Oh well......

Not only did I get a call requesting my credit card information last week, I got a call this week requesting the same information.  Both callers spoke English well, but did have a Canadian accent.  I made my reservation on December 29, 2009.

Westwood

VoyageurNorth,

She said that she would check and about 30 seconds later, she said everything was ok.  She was very polite and quick.  No  big deal.  She even called twice.  The first time she called I was in the shower and my wife told her to call back.

Only 92 more days,  and I will be in Beaverhouse.

Westwood

I made a reservation in Jan for May 17 entry on the west side-Lac LaCroix ranger station entries, or at least I thought.  I even received a reference #.  I got a call last week and was told that the park doesn't open until May 21.  Is this correct?  I checked online ( (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)) and the interior has camping dates April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011.  Dawson Trail has a May 21-Oct 21 opening but I would have guessed that if you can get yourself to the ranger station you could get your permit.  How does one go about getting a permit for entry prior to May 21?  Would a RABC permit work? I know they have switched over to a new system.  Any help or advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks in advance.

I just got my call for credit card info, right in the middle of the USA - Canada game. They must be really trying hard to catch up. I thought the whole country would have been shut down.

plander, DentonDoc is entirely correct.  Furthermore, there is a self-service setup at the Lac La Croix ranger station.  I made a trip thru there in mid-May a few years ago.  Just bring a form of payment (credit card number or Canadian currency) and a pen.

The reason for this setup is that no quotas are enforced until the day before the Ontario fishing opener. 

Technically, reservations are never required, but they are a darn good idea.  All you really need is an available permit if you go during the quota period from mid-May until late September.

After yesterday's amazing game, I bet the Park reservation operators are all much happier people.  Maybe that'll translate into better customer service for us in the States. 


prouboy

"plander, DentonDoc is entirely correct."

??????????????

"For Quetico, there is a brief period between ice-out and when reservations are required later in May.  I haven't check when that date is for the upcoming season, but I've been in mid-May a couple of times BEFORE the reservation period began.  If that is the case for you (which I wouldn't be surprised about with a May 17th entry), you do not need a permit.  And YES, you will need an RABC unless you plan to cross the border at an established border crossing (e.g., International Falls)." 

uh, "what's up Doc" ??

this is not entirely correct, so I'll restate it --

Reservations are never required - its just a good idea to have a reservation so that you are sure you can enter the park on the date and entry point you want.

A PARK PERMIT is always required for overnight camping - the park is never really closed, which is why the dates listed above somewhere covered 365 days. But the ranger stations are not staffed year-round.

from the "Quetico Provincial Park Wilderness Guide 2008"  pamphlet -- the ranger stations were all open on May 16th that year, including Atikokan, and the end date varied between August and September.

When the Ranger Stations are open and staffed, you get the permit from the Ranger Station that is associated with your entry point.  If the Ranger stations are closed in the "off season", you get your permit and pay your fees at a self service pay station - if in doubt, call the park HQ to find out if there is a pay station at the location you choose to enter from.

An RABC is irrelevant to the above - The RABC is only relevant to Canadian Customs and legally entering Canada, not to entering and camping in the Provincial Park ( nor to re-entering the US)- you would need an RABC if you enter thru Prairie Portage or Cache Bay, because there is no customs station there (Not sure about Crane Lake or the west end of the park ), but you also must have a Park Permit.  If you drive across the border, you do not need an RABC at all.


semantics, and I know what Doc menat, but plander may not know that.

I just called them today and things seem to be up and rolling, no voice mail. I had gotten my reservation 3 weeks ago but no deposit had been paid and they were supposed to get back with me. I was starting to get a little nervous so I gave them a jingle today and presto I'm good to go!
Yea baby, can't wait!