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| What to Expect From Your Seagull Canoe Trip | ||
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In order to make a trip run smoothly, there is a great deal of planning that is involved. Many details must be attended to, and it is our job to make you aware of the things that you're unclear about, and to remind you of the things that have a tendency of slipping through the cracks sometimes. You see, we outfit thousands of people into the Canoe Country each season and we have been asked every question you can think of. So it is our goal to provide you with an inside look into a Seagull Outfitters canoe trip from start to finish. By doing so, we'll prevent a great deal of stress and anxiety as your trip approaches knowing that we've covered all the bases ahead of time. Read along as we address every aspect of your upcoming canoe adventure. There is a wealth of information on this page; all of it won't pertain to everyone because no two canoe trips are the same, but it will help you get a much better understanding on what you can expect on your trip with us. |
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QUICK LINKS: Navigate to the sections that suits your reservation best by utilizing these links below... |
![[BWCA IMAGE: Loon watches over her babies in the BWCAW]](seapix/2006/loon&babies.jpg)
| Questions to Ask Yourself if you currently DO NOT have a reservation... | ||
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If you've answered these questions already, then it's time to scroll down further on this page and read about the details of your upcoming trip. |
Debbie and the Seagull Staffers ~ This year was no exception! Although, there could have been several instances that things could have not been right, we experienced a flawless trip. From the suggestions you made regarding trip planning to a timely pick up at
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| You've made your reservation....now what? |
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Once you've decided on your dates for your trip and decided whether you're going to be visiting the BWCA or Quetico, that's when we take over. Part of our service to you is that we reserve your entry permit for you. During your discussions with us we will have decided on a tentative trip route for you based on your interests and we will reserve the appropriate permit for this route. If by chance you have found this page before you have made your reservation, this will still be helpful and give you an idea of the process that we'll go through when you do decide to come and visit us. If you're still planning your route, or looking for ideas, you'll find our canoe routes section very helpful. Also helpful in your planning will be our interactive message board. Pose questions, get answers. |
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| Complete or not complete, that is the question...
This is the most important question at this point. If you've reserved a complete outfitting package with us, we'll be providing you with more equipment and we'll guide you through the process a bit more intensively. If you've just reserved a canoe or a head start tow boat launch, etc. more of the planning will be put upon your shoulders. Here is a step by step process for both types of reservation with us. |
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Complete Outfitting We have a page designated for this entirely that you've probably already seen. If not, visit us here. This is how we handle complete outfitting parties:
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What we mean by this is any type of outfitting that you've reserved from us that isn't a complete package. This could be just a canoe or a motor tow launch or just a night in our bunkhouse. This is our partial outfitting process.
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| For the Quetico Park Visitor | For the BWCA Visitor | |
RABC Permits The Quetico Park has similar but yet very different rules than the Boundary Waters. First of all, the Quetico is in Ontario, Canada and because of the remote area that we are in, there are no customs checkpoints and there are no roads in which to cross over the border. Because of this, all Quetico visitors are required to APPLY and RECEIVE their Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) or also known as a CANPASS Permit prior to your trip. This is the first and most glaring difference in a Quetico trip because of the extra effort, and cost involved to get this permit. There is only ONE way in which to get an RABC Permit:
The application requires you to provide 2 forms of identification. Married couples can file jointly for an RABC and only need to pay for one permit. Applications are required of everyone. If children under the age of 18 are going on the trip, they do not need their own RABC Permit as long as they have a parent on the trip that can claim them as a dependant. If no parent is on the trip with them, they will require their own individual RABC Permit. Aunts, uncles, neighbors, etc. do not count as guardians...it must be a parent. Children under 18 are required to have only one form of identification. All children over 18 must apply for their own RABC permit with 2 forms of identification. Permits cost $30 Canadian Dollars and can be paid for by credit card. The RABC Permit is good for 1 year, so as long as the permit is valid, you can go on as many Quetico trips within that time as you would like. Things that can potentially hinder you from acquiring an RABC include being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, OWIs, spending time in prison, etc. We are located on an International Border and crossing it in a remote area is handled as tightly as logistically possible and background checks are done thoroughly to maintain the integrity of Canada's immigration laws. The RABC Permits are handled entirely out of our (Seagull Outfitters') hands. We have no influence on them whatsoever and have no say in the matter. We can't speed up the process or get anyone a permit who has been denied one. These are the rules and we suggest you play by them. Although we cannot stop you from entering the Quetico Park without an RABC Permit, these are the rules and you will be held entirely responsible for your actions. Quetico Entry Permits These are the permits that we the outfitter reserve for you. This allows you entry through the Cache Bay Ranger Station on your specific entry date. There are only 9 permits allowed through Cache Bay per day. So depending on which time of year you come, availability can be scarce. This is why it is important to plan your canoe trips well in advance, especially if entering into the Quetico. Quetico camping fees are also different than the BWCA. There is an initial "reservation fee" of $12 Canadian Dollars to reserve a permit. There is also a nightly fee per person for camping in the Quetico. For adults 18 years of age and older, the fee is $20 Canadian Dollars per night. For children under 18 years, the fee is $8 Canadian Dollars per night. You will be given the current exchange rate. The Cache Bay Ranger Station accepts your Visa and Mastercard for these fees. In addition to the $12.00 permit reservation fee, at the time of booking your Quetico permit you will also be required to pay $100.00 which will be applied to your camping fees in the Park. Like we mentioned earlier, we will reserve these permits for you to make things easier on you as we do this every day and are familiar with the process. You should be aware of the cost involved so when you give us your credit card at the time you reserve your outfitting needs with us, you are agreeing to use that same credit card for the appropriate Quetico camping fees for your group. To repeat, when we reserve your Quetico entry permit, we use your credit card for the reservation fee and the initial $100 camping fees. These fees are separate from the outfitting costs due to Seagull Outfitters at the time of your arrival. The Cache Bay Ranger Station opens at 8:15 AM every day and closes at 4:15 PM. Groups must check in between these times. The ranger operates on a first come first served basis. So the first group that arrives at the ranger cabin island in Cache Bay will get permitted first. The permit issuing session generally lasts about 30 minutes....a little longer for larger groups due to the number of people. During this orientation, the ranger will discuss the Quetico Park specific rules to make sure everyone is aware of their responsibilities to prevent getting a ticket. The ranger sells souvenirs in the cabin that many paddlers like to pick up on their way back on the last day of their trip. Canadian Fishing Licenses can also be purchased at the ranger cabin. Ontario Fishing Licenses For those of you fishing on your Quetico trip, the easiest way to obtain your license is to get it from the ranger the morning of your trip, the same time you get your entry permit issued to your group. You can also stop at the Gunflint Lodge on your way up the Gunflint Trail and get your licenses the night before your trip if you'll be arriving early enough. The most common is an 8 day license that will cost you $24.55 Canadian Dollars. Licenses can be paid for by credit card, that way the exchange rate is figured out by the banks. For those of you looking to get a jump on your trip and get some of the paperwork out of the way, get your Canadian Fishing License in advance by calling the Ministry of Natural Resources at 800-667-1940. This process through the mail takes 4-6 weeks. For those going to the Quetico Park, the most common license for 2008 is an 8 day conservation license for $24.55/person.Follow this link to the Ontario Fishing Regulation website at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/fishing/2008 . Live Bait Those that are fishing and considering bringing live bait across the border, there are some rules you need to be aware of. No leeches purchased in the United States are allowed across the Canadian border. Also, no live minnows can be brought across the border. And, no nightcrawlers are allowed in the Park as well. The rules are strange and strict, but rules they are and it would be in your best interest to abide by them. New in 2008, you may only fish with barbless hooks and lead free jigs as well. Party Size, etc. Just like the BWCA, 9 people is the maximum that you can have in your group at any time within the Park. But what is different about the Quetico is that you aren't limited to 4 watercraft in your group. For example, 9 people could be paddling in 9 solo canoes or kayaks while inside the Quetico and you would be legal. Camp Sites You've heard correctly. There are no designated campsites in the Quetico. You can camp wherever you would like to within the park, but you are encouraged to camp in previously camped in areas. There are no latrines in which to go to the bathroom and there are no fire grates on the fire pits in the campsites. The Quetico is known to be more "rugged" than the BWCA and these are a couple of the reasons why. |
BWCA Entry Permits The Boundary Waters has very simplified, and much cheaper camping fees than does the Quetico. In the BWCA, to reserve a permit, there is an initial $12 reservation fee as well as an additional $32 charge at the time of the reservation. When you reserve your outfitting needs with Seagull Outfitters, we will also handle the reserving of your entry permit (if you haven't already done so yourself). At the time of reservation, the credit card that you used to reserve your outfitting needs with us will be charged $44 for the reservation of the BWCA entry permit regardless of how many people are in your group. Upon arrival at Seagull Outfitters, we will then issue your permit to you. And based on how many adults and children you have in your group at that time (no more than 9 per group) you will be charged $16 per adult and $8 per child for your "user fees". For example, if your group consists of 6 people (4 adults and 2 children under 18 years of age) you will be charged $16 per adult (4 x $16 = $64) and $8 per child (2 x $8 = $16) for a total of $80 in user fees. But if you remember, at the time of your reservation, there was $44 charged to your credit card. $12 of that is the reservation fee which does not go toward your user fees, but the additional $32 that was charged at the time we reserved your permit for you does go toward your user fees. So when all is said and done, based on this example, you would only be charged $48 at the time we issue your permit. And that is it for a party of 6 to stay in the Boundary Waters for an unlimited period of time. In the Boundary Waters there are no daily camping fees, and that's what makes the BWCA so much less expensive than the Quetico. Fishing Licenses Minnesota State fishing licenses can be purchased right in our store upon your arrival. There is no need to make an extra stop on your way here. Just make sure that you know your social security number as well as the social security numbers of your children that are 16 years of age and older. In Minnesota, a child can fish under their parent's license if the child is 15 years or younger. All 16 year olds and older need their own adult license. The 2008 Fishing License options are as follows:
Rules of the BWCAW
For more information about the Boundary Waters rules, here is a PDF file of the "What To Know Before You Go" brochure that the USFS uses to promote the appropriate conduct while on a BWCAW canoe trip. You can also visit the official BWCA website at www.bwcaw.org for more information regarding rules, etc. Trip Planning Resources We've tried over the years to provide as much trip planning information to you as we can right here on our website. Here are some convenient links within our site that will help you in your preparation.
The Boundary Waters and Quetico offer some of the most breathtaking images that one can capture with a camera. It hardly pays to sleep in when you know you're missing out on opportunities like this. Come and join us drink in the natural beauty of this area. |
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No more rest stops or airplane terminals. Your long awaited arrival has come, and you want to know what to expect right? Hopefully this explanation will help you envision what it will be like once you've landed at our base.
This map above will help you get your bearings before you arrive and will help in our explanation of the checking in process. You can pretty much set your tripometer once you turn north onto the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, and 54 miles later you'll arrive at our base on Seagull Lake. The diagram above shows you the layout of our campus. We are open from 7am to 7pm everyday between Memorial Day and Labor Day (8am to 5pm before and after these holidays). So if you arrive at our base during business hours, please pull right in to our driveway in front of our store and come in and see us. We'll be glad to see you and we'll get things started. Bunkhouse If you're staying in our bunkhouse the night before your trip, you can see that that building is located just on the east side of the Gunflint. That's right, we are right on the Trail. If you arrive during business hours, we'll be here when you arrive and will help assist you and give directions. But if you arrive after business hours and are staying in our bunkhouse that evening, have no fear, we won't leave you high and dry. Pull into our driveway right in front of our store and we will have the bunkhouse room assignments written on a white marker board right next to our door. We have 8 rooms in the bunkhouse so behind your name on the marker board there will be a room number(s). This is where you'll be staying for the night so proceed across the Gunflint Trail and park in our parking lot and make your way to your room. Rooms 1-4 can be best accessed by the steps closest to the Gunflint, while rooms 5-8 are easiest accessed by the steps that are closer to the showerhouse. The showerhouse is for your personal use and is open 24 hours a day. There is a men's and women's side with separate shower stalls for your privacy. Our showerhouse is cleaned twice daily for your convenience. Also for your convenience, we offer a Quick Start Breakfast for our bunkhouse guests. This breakfast consists of blueberry muffin, apple/orange, cold cereal, milk, orange juice and coffee delivered right to your room for a "quick start" the next morning as you get ready to set out on your wilderness vacation. The breakfast costs $6 per person. Call or email and add it to your reservation and have one less thing to worry about. Please remember that you will probably not be the only people staying in the bunkhouse that evening and if you're arriving after 10pm, please show our other guests some courtesy and keep the noise level to a minimum as they most likely have early departure plans in the morning. Parking We have a good sized parking area for our guests only. During peak times of our season, it can get crowded so we ask that you try and make efficient use of the space. Many paddlers will decide to leave their vehicle keys with us while out in the woods for fear of losing them at the bottom of a lake. We provide this service for your convenience and in the event that we might have to move your vehicle to accommodate others or any other special circumstance.
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We are the outfitter and we will take care of your travel arrangements to and from your entry points, but it will be your task to arrange your travel plans to and from our store. We suggest that you secure your travel plans very shortly after you book your trip to ensure your plans will work. Many of our guests drive from home right to our door. Others will fly in to Minneapolis or Duluth and rent a car and drive the rest of the way to our door. This will be up to you and your party to determine, but here are a few resources to help you make these plans. Car Rental Shuttle Service Those not interested in renting a car may consider looking in to a shuttle service offered by a local business in Grand Marais. Depending on your party size, this may be the cheapest option. This service is a round trip shuttle from either the Duluth or Minneapolis airport. The only downside to this is that you won't have the freedom of your own vehicle to do any sight seeing on your way up Hwy 61 and the Gunflint Trail. Harriet Quarles Shuttle Transportation - 1-866-387-1801 or locally at 218-387-1801. Call to book your dates with her. We can also help set up a reservation for you with Harriet. Lodging If you've reserved a night(s) in our bunkhouse lodge before or/and after your trip, then you should be all set. If you're planning on staying in Grand Marais or in Duluth prior to or post trip, our Trip Tips page will help you locate the place for you. Food Eating establishments on the Gunflint Trail, although limited in numbers, certainly make up for it in the quality of food that they offer. If you don't pick up a bite in Grand Marais and opt to dine on the Gunflint, here are your options:
Although these are the most popular options on the Trail, there are other dining opportunities that you can view here. Seagull Outfitters Transportation As mentioned earlier, we do not offer transportation to get to our outfitting facility because the demand is not enough for us to make it financially feasible. But once you're here, we'll shuttle you to and from your entry point regardless of where your entry is on the Gunflint Trail.
If you are receiving a motor boat tow launch from us on Saganaga Lake, we will also shuttle you to and from our base to meet our tow boats. Our coordination is calculated and your wait time is held to a minimum because of our marine radios that we outfit in our tow boats. This communication line has been invaluable to our business and these radios are designed to make your experience while in our care as enjoyable as we possibly can make it for you. |
Navigational maps are necessary for your trip, and we will be happy to send them to you in the mail if you would like to get them before you come. We offer both Fisher and McKenzie maps. Please just send an email or call us and let us know what route you're planning on taking and how you will want to pay for them and we'll put them in the mail for you.![[BWCA IMAGE: Nice walleye taken by Dale Lempke while on a wilderness canoe trip]](seapix/2006/dale_lempke1.jpg)
![[BWCA IMAGE: Morning sun rises up from behind the BWCA horizon]](seapix/2006/morningsun.jpg)
![[IMAGE: Seagull Outfitters campus layout]](seapix/2006/facility_map.jpg)
![[BWCA IMAGE: Morning in camp in the Boundary Waters is one of a kind]](seapix/2006/rockcamp.jpg)
![[IMAGE: Seagull Outfitters headstart tow boat launch shuttle]](seapix/2006/burb_trailer.jpg)
If your entry point is somewhere other than Seagull Lake and you're renting canoes from us, we will shuttle your party and all gear and canoes in our suburbans and trailers to your appropriate entry point. We will also pick you up and bring you back to our base if you end your trip at one of the entry points along the Gunflint Trail. There are pay phones at all of the public entry points and we are just a call away to bring you back and get all showered and cleaned up after your long wilderness journey.
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