Which is better for canoe camping?
To this day, motors are allowed with varying restrictions in selected parts of both Quetico Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In Quetico, motor assisted fishing is severely limited and requires a guide so it will cost a bit more than it does in the Boundary Waters. The official plan (Agreement of Coexistence) is to phase out motorized guiding activities by the Lac La Croix First Nation in Quetico Park through simple attrition by the year 2015.
The Boundary Waters or Quetico Park
one canoe camper's opinion
Quetico Provincial Park is the jewel of Ontario's Provincial Park system. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA or BWCAW), is part of the Superior National Forest and lies just across the border in Minnesota. Since QuietJourney has no connection with any outfitter serving either, this website is not intended to get there, but with a little imagination... my hope is, some parts of it just might take you there.
While Quetico Park is thought of and treated more like a wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is managed and used more like a park. Personally, I think the names are switched. That said, I'm told both offer a wilderness experience that will be forever cherished by anyone willing to make the effort.
So, which is better, the Boundary Waters Canoe area or Quetico Park? If you don't know what you're doing out there, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area "Wilderness" may be a better choice than" Quetico Park" for you. While your cell phone may work in parts of the BWCAW, veteran Quetico Park paddlers leave theirs in the car. In the BWCA, chances are someone may even come along and help you if you are unlucky enough to get yourself into trouble... or you may even be able to reach help with your cell phone... but don't count on either. Just be careful. Quetico Park paddlers are probably on their own. Help can be days away, assuming you can paddle yourself close enough to a well traveled route or entry point to ruin someone's vacation.
Either way, both areas offer a canoe camping experience not soon forgotten by anyone looking to escape the daily grind by paddling a canoe into the middle of nowhere. This website is intended to enhance that journey. If you have never been to either, here is a good guide for canoe camping newbies.
Enjoy your journey,
~db
