Canoe country's most up-to-date guide.

Located west of Lake Superior on the Canada-U.S. border and known to countless thousands of paddlers simply as "Canoe Country," Quetico Provincial Park is Ontario's second-largest wilderness park. It connects to the United States via the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, mainland America's largest protected tract of wilderness. The area receives over 200,000 visitors a year.

Kevin Callan is a renowned paddling personality, and his new book describes 10 of Quetico's best trips, plus five adventurous excursions to destinations just beyond the park's boundaries. Trips range from weekend recreational paddles to 10-day multi-lake loops, and there is something for every skill level. All route maps are original and up to date, correcting many of the common errors found in other publications.

One could spend a lifetime paddling the waters of Quetico Provincial Park, with its more than 600 lakes and five major rivers. And with an average portage length of only 435 yards, it's all about the paddling.

Kevin Callan is the author of over 15 books, including his incredibly popular series of paddling guides. He has been a key speaker at major outdoor events for over 25 years in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. He is a regular contributor and columnist for Explore and CanoeRoots Magazine, is listed as one of the top 100 modern-day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society, is a recipient of a National Magazine Award and is a Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. He is a recurring guest on nationally broadcast television and radio programs and maintains his own very popular "Happy Camper" YouTube channel, drawing thousands of viewers.

Kevin Callan's profile page

Shares valuable trip planning information... BWJ readers accustomed to very detailed portage and campsite info will not be disappointed... I found his comments for the ten loops right on target for both accuracy and relevant... He also does a great job of weaving Native American, voyageur and logging era history into each locale.

Boundary Waters Journal

I have paddled/portaged most of these canoe trails, and I found his comments for the ten loops right on target for both accuracy and relevance for what paddlers need to know... All in all, this is a guidebook canoe country fans will enjoy adding to their outdoor library.

Boundary Waters Journal

For weekend jaunts or longer trips, you'll find this book an interesting read not only for its routes and maps, but also for the interesting anecdotes and history of the park.

Good Times

Filled with practical trip advice, contact information and detailed route maps, A Paddler's Guide also has a wealth of lively anecdotes and historical footnotes tied to specific locations.

Globe and Mail

[One] draw of Callan's books is his self-deprecating humour and his ability to suddenly get serious -- downright poetic even -- in describing the gorgeous scenery around him.

The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo)

Author Callan's humorous tales of adventure and misadventures add to the reading pleasure.

Continential Newstime (Hartland, WI)

Readers of this magazine's Butt End column will be pleased to know that Kevin Callan gets some serious work done between misadventures.

Canoeroots

The information is useful for someone planning a trip, and Callan's descriptions of the trips, environments, people and places he experiences are entertaining reading even for those not planning a trip.

Quetico Superior Wilderness News

If it wasn't for Kevin Callan, many people would not have a clue where to go to for their regular or occasional canoe fix.... As usual, the information offered here is extensively researched and written down in the trademark Callan style. The 50 color photographs are generally very good (you'll love the one of page 79!) and the 20 superb maps are a joy to study... Even though my canoeing days are over, I always enjoy Kevin's books and read them cover to cover because he represents the spirit and wonder and joy of wilderness canoe tripping better than most.

Nastawgan

Callan tells it like it is.... Reading this book makes me recall all the trials and tribulations I experienced in canoeing ... but it makes me want to do it all again.

Northern Life (Sudbury)

Kevin Callan's list of accomplishments .... pretty well guarantees the value of this latest title in his guidebook series.... Various skills levels and trip lengths make this guide useful for anyone planning an excursion to Quetico.

Wavelength Magazine

This is a book that will lead you beyond your usual canoe routes; in fact, it may inspire you to plan a trip... Each of the sixteen canoe routes described in this book is a well-written informative story, weaving important practical information such as the take-out and put-in spots for portages, special sites to see, and danger spots -- into historical accounts of those who were here long before our forays using Kevlar canoes and Gortex. The stories also convey the hardships and joys shared by the group traveling with Kevin; the real stuff that makes canoe trips memorable. The book does not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary detail on the gear to bring, what kind of canoe paddle is better than another, etc., rightly assuming someone heading to Quetico is not a novice. At the same time, simple, straightforward descriptions of canoe routes make them immensely doable for the average paddler... Quetico is a book that provides very readable pleasant conversation that, in a personal way, brings canoeing to life through its past and more recent adventures. The many reminders of the subtle rewards of canoeing that are conveyed provide a real enticement to begin planning your next trip.

Canadian Field-Naturalist

Each of the sixteen canoe trips described in this book is a well-written informative story, weaving important practical information such as the take-out and put-in spots for portages, special sites to see, and danger spots, into historical accounts of those who were here long before our forays using Kevlar canoes and Goretex. The stories also convey the hardships and joys shared by the group traveling with Kevin; the "real stuff" that makes canoe trips memorable... Quetico is a book that provides very readable pleasant conversation that, in a personal way, brings canoeing to life through its past and more recent adventures. The many reminders of the subtle rewards of canoeing that are conveyed provide a real enticement to begin planning your next trip.

The Canadian Field Naturalist, Vol. 120

This is a book that will lead you beyond your usual canoe routes; in fact, it may inspire you to plan a trip celebrating Quetico's 100th anniversary in 2009!... "Quetico" is a book that provides very readable pleasant conversation that, in a personal way, brings canoeing to life through its past and more recent adventures. The many reminders of the subtle rewards of canoeing that are conveyed provide a real enticement to begin planning your trip.

The Canadian Field Naturalist, Vol. 120