In order to maintain a constant wilderness-quality camping experience in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Provincial Park, visitors should abide by the following guidelines.

Group-size limit: Both wilderness areas have a nine-person limit on the number of people who may travel and camp together at one time. Groups exceeding the nine-person limit must break into subgroups. The subgroups may travel on the same general routes, but must remain separate at all times. Portaging, traveling, and camping together in groups larger than nine people is strictly prohibited.

Leave-no-trace camping: Both areas promote leave-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.

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

Water purification: 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.

Firewood: 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.

Portaging: Traveling from lake to lake and around water hazards will require physically picking up your canoe and equipment and traveling across a portage trail. Wherever 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.

Noise levels: Wilderness etiquette encourages minimal noise while traveling and camping. Responsible noise levels not only show your respect for fellow campers and nature but also offer you the opportunity to see various forms of wildlife. To fully experience the wilderness around you, leave your radio, tape player, and CD player at home.

BWCAW permits: Travel permits are necessary to enter either of the wilderness areas from May 1 to September 30. Over the past several years, the BWCAW has experienced a decrease in permit availability. The permit system is designed to limit the number of visitors by day and area, to help prevent overuse of popular areas. For the optimum variety of entry points and dates, plan your trip early. BWCAW permits become available in December and January.

Quetico permits: The number of travel permits into Quetico Park are even more limited, and thus more difficult to obtain; permit applications may be submitted in January for the coming season. Be prepared to work with three to six starting dates and numerous entry points to assure the maximum opportunity for obtaining a permit.

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

Fishing: 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. Canadian fishing licenses may be obtained at a Canadian ranger station the morning your trip begins.

Day-use vehicle tags: Quetico Park offers day-use vehicle tags that 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 U.S. side at night. If you plan to fish on the Canadian side you are also required to purchase a Canadian fishing license.

Canadian off-season permits: 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 stations 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.

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