While the network of lakes, rivers, and portages in the park offer an infinite combination of routes, some classic loops, as outlined on the park website begin from each of the park’s six ranger stations.

You can paddle the following routes from the park’s northern ranger stations:

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Cirrus Lake-The Sue Falls Loop (Beaverhouse Ranger Station)
40 miles (4 days) 5 lakes, 7 portages, Easy
This loop is ideal for those who prefer long, uninterrupted stretches of paddling, with only an occasional portage for leg-stretching. You paddle from the northeast corner of Beaverhouse Lake and then portage east, first to an unnamed lake and then to Cirrus Lake. With nearly half of the route's portages behind you, paddle to the east end of Cirrus for a view of scenic Sue Falls. Steer south to the longest and most difficult portage of the trip. Upon reaching Kasakokwog Lake, plot a westerly course down McAlpine Creek to another enormous lake, Quetico Lake. Paddling close to the north shore of Quetico Lake, don't miss ancient rock paintings (pictographs) on the sheer granite cliffs. From the west end of Quetico Lake, the Quetico River carries you back to Beaverhouse Lake.

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Baptism Creek-Cache-Kawnipi-Alice Loop (French Lake Ranger Station)
110 km (8 days) 19 lakes, 20 portages, Challenging
Though the Dawson Trail Campground area is possibly the busiest site in the park, the wilderness area just south of it is among the least busy. This route is recommended for experienced and fit paddlers however, for the two Cache Lake portages are long and wet. If you prefer river travel, you can avoid one of the portages by heading down the Cache River to Kawnipi Lake. If you prefer lake travel, continue south to McKenzie Lake and then west to Kawnipi. From there make your way north via Montgomery, Shelly, and Alice lakes, then over the Bonhomme and Sauvage Portages into Fern Lake. From there, only Beg and Bisk lakes separate you from Pickerel Lake. Head east to end your trip on French Lake.

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Batchewaung-Twin-Jean-Jesse Loop (Atikokan Ranger Station)
112 km (6 days) 14 lakes, 18 portages, Challenging
This popular route features large and small lakes, creeks and easy portages. Upon reaching Pickerel Lake, paddling through Nym and Batchewaung lakes, steer an easterly course through Pickerel Narrows then head south and southwest through Dore and Twin lakes to gigantic Sturgeon Lake. Paddling through Sturgeon Narrows, going near its west end, enter Jean Creek. After paddling north across Burntside and Jean lakes, bear east on Quetico Lake and continue through Oriana, Jesse and Maria lakes. From there, portage back to Pickerel Lake and return to Nym Lake by reversing the route you followed on the first day.



From the southern ranger stations along the Canada/US border, these routes await:

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McAree Lake (Lac la Croix Ranger Station) Easy
McAree Lake is the most convenient of the four entry points accessible from Lac la Croix. From here, it is only three miles to Quetico's interior. Beyond is some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Quetico Superior region. Argo and Crooked lakes, Curtain Falls, the Siobhan and Darky rivers and the pictographs of Darky Lake are among the not-too-distant attractions. McAree and Minn lakes are among the 10 lakes in Quetico where native people of the Lac la Croix Guides Association are permitted to use motors no bigger than 10 horsepower. East of these two lakes, however, the only buzzing will be that of the hummingbirds.

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Carp Lake-Hunter's Island Loop (Prairie Portage Ranger Station)
250 km (13 days) 25 lakes, 29 short portages, Easy to Challenging
This route circumnavigates Hunter Island, visiting sections of former fur-trade routes, historic sites, waterfalls and wildlife viewing areas. It offers something for everyone, as long as you’re up to a challenge. Start via Carp Lake and head northeast along the Man Chain (That, This & Other) to Saganagons Lake. Turn north into the Falls Chain to enjoy the collection of waterfalls there. Then into Kawnipi Lake for a long uninterrupted paddle. Make your way via Shelley, Keats and Chatterton lakes to Sturgeon Lake, and then down the Maligne river to Lac la Croix. Turn south and follow the international boundary back to the Prairie Portage area. You should allow one layover day, just in case you get held up by high winds on a large lake.

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Falls Chain-The K-K-K Loop (Cache Bay Ranger Station)
168 km (8 days) 26 lakes, 37 portages, Challenging
Doing this route in eight days is recommended for strong and experienced paddlers. Most groups average 10 days. From Cache Bay Ranger Station, paddle to the northeast end of Cache Bay. View Silver Falls at the first portage, then paddle to the north end of Saganagons Lake, taking the Dead Man’s Portage, and begin the journey to the Falls Chain and to Kawnipi Lake. After paddling Kawnipi to its northwest end, go south along Kahshahpiwi Creek, through Cairn, Sark and Keefer lakes, all the way to Kahshahpiwi Lake. From there, portage to McNiece Lake. A chain of smaller lakes and streams leads south to Basswood Lake. From there, paddle northeast along a series of international border lakes back to Saganaga Lake.