Quetico Provincial Park Information

Motorized Boating
Motorboats are not permitted on the lakes and waterways of Quetico Park, except in the Lac La Croix and Beaverhouse area. Only the Lac La Croix Guides are permitted to use motorboats, limited to 10 horsepower motors or smaller, a maximum of four per day, and only on 10 lakes.

Swimming
At Dawson Trail Campground, visitors can swim at beaches along the shore of French Lake. The Public Beach, Pickerel Beach on the north side of French Lake offers great BBQ facilities for large groups and beautiful sand beach and a characteristic penincula of bedrock that has always been a save, close favorite for the kids to explore.

Cycling
Cycling is permitted throughout Dawson Trail Campground but, to ensure safety, cycling is not on hiking trails.

Winter Activities
Quetico Park is a favorite for winter snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to the most fantastic ice fishing. There are no groomed trails and snowmobiles are prohibited - providing the perfect conditions for silent running trails. 

Quetico Park Services
The Quetico Information Pavilion at Dawson Trail provides information and large-scale maps to help you plan your canoe trip.  Friends of Quetico staff provide memorabilia and great insite into the history and character of Quetico.

Near-by Atikokan provides core services and all health facilities.

Nature lectures, slide shows, displays and other programs are offered regularly at Dawson Trail throughout the summer.

The John B. Ridley Research Library at Dawson Trail has a large collection of books, articles, pamphlets, maps, slides, photographs, and oral history tapes about Quetico and its environs. The library is staffed full-time from mid-April to mid-September and part-time from October through March. For more information on the library, call (807) 929-2571, Ext. 224

Cans and bottles restricted:
You can bring containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles and other items that are not food or beverages into the park. But non-burnable, disposable food and beverage containers are prohibited. Please carry out all fuel cans and garbage.  Practice 'Leave no trace' policies when you paddle. 

Mechanized tools and vehicles prohibited:
Power saws, gasoline generators, power ice augers, mechanical portage devices, portage wheels, all-terrain vehicles and similar mechanized equipment are prohibited in Quetico Park.

Travelling in groups: 
Solo canoeists should take extra precautions to ensure safety. An injury, or loss of your canoe could spell disaster. Parties of two or three canoes (two people per canoe) are recommended, but much of Quetico Park is now covered by cell phone access - making help a lot closer.  A maximum of nine people are allowed on a campsite and no more than two parties of nine should travel together because large parties place considerable stress on the environment.

Firearms prohibited:
Hunting of wildlife and possessing firearms or fireworks in Quetico Park are prohibited.

Answers to common questions:
The following facts will be useful when planning your canoe trip route:
-- Prevailing winds are from the west. Start from Beaverhouse and paddle with the wind!
-- Thirty per cent (20 cm) of the park's annual precipitation comes during July and August.
-- Average temperatures (Celsius) during June, July and August are 16.5 C, 19 C and 17.5 C respectively. Frost is rare in the summer, but be sure to bring warm clothing for cool summer nights of 8C.
-- Late-May to mid-July are the worst time period for mosquitoes and black-flies, but the cold water is also the best time for fishing!
-- Mid-May to the end of June is the peak period for wood ticks (currently found in the west end of Quetico Park).

Bugs:
Mosquitoes and black flies are active during most of the canoeing season. They are at their worst from late May through June or after prolonged periods of heavy rain. Your best protection is proper clothing - long-sleeved shirts, pant legs tucked inside socks and light colours (dark colours tend to attract insects). Mosquito Repellents with DEET are also very useful and bring mosquitoe coils for your screened tent to ensure a restful sleep.

Camping

The Dawson Trail Campground at French Lake is the only entrance for drive-in camping. The 107 campsites, 49 of which have electricity, are close to comfort stations, showers, a laundromat and other amenities.

Picnic and Day Use - Yes. Easily accomodates large groups.

Electric Camp Sites - 49

Barrier Free Access
Visitor Centre, Pickerel River Trail, Dawson Trail, laundromat, shower, flush toilet

Park Store
Quetico North sell park souvenirs on Highway 11, west of Dawson Trail Campground.

Showers - Flush Toilets - Laundromat - At Dawson Trail Campground

Play Area
There is a playground in Pickerel Beach day-use area at Dawson Trail Campground.