Rules and regulations
Pukaskwa National Park
Federal, provincial and municipal laws apply while on lands and waters administered by Parks Canada. Rules and regulations are in place to protect the ecological and commemorative integrity of Pukaskwa National Park, and to ensure the enjoyment of all visitors. It is your responsibility to be aware of these rules. Contravention of laws or Pukakswa National Park rules may result in fines and/or your removal from the park.
These rules do not alter or diminish any Indigenous or Treaty Rights.
While visiting the park, it is prohibited to:
- Collect or disturb berries, bark, plants, trees, driftwood, animals, rocks, shells, artifacts, archaeological objects, or cultural features.
- Fish without a valid Ontario fishing license. Anglers must follow all applicable Ontario fishing regulations for Zone 7 and 9, including no use of live baitfish in Zone 7. Barbless hooks, lead-free weights and artificial lures are encouraged everywhere.
- Possess or use firewood that has not been sourced from within an 80 km radius of the park.
- Possess or release exotic species into the park.
- Consume alcohol or cannabis outside of your campsite.
- Drive or park in non-designated areas.
- Use recreational vehicles (for example, ATVs, jet skis, over-snow vehicles).
- Use motorized vessels in Hattie Cove beyond the Visitor Centre, or in Halfway Lake.
- Use speeds excessive enough to cause a wake while navigating Hattie Cove or the White River by boat.
- Store boats along Hattie Cove shoreline or other shorelines along the Lake Superior coast within the park.
- Moor overnight without a permit in Hattie Cove unless for safe harbour purposes.
- Disrupt, obstruct, divert or pollute any watercourse in the park.
- Use a drone for filming/recreational purposes without a permit.
- Film and/or take photographs for commercial purposes without a permit.
- Host large-scale and small-scale events in the park without a permit.
- Possess or use firearms or fireworks.
- Allow a pet off-leash, leave a pet unattended on a campsite, or not clean up pet waste.
- Dump dirty dishwater anywhere in the campground except for the comfort station dish sinks.
- Create excessive noise at any time of the day and during quiet hours – 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Start a fire outside of metal fire boxes or firepits provided.
- Go off-trail or fail to use established hiking/walking trails and roadways.
- Bicycle on hiking trails or anywhere except roadways.
- Use park facilities, like potable water or dumping stations, when not registered to a campsite.
- Store food or gear long-term (greater than registered stay) in food lockers.
- Block access to any park facility, including garbage sheds and food storage lockers.
- Access any “Zone 1 – Preservation Areas” including those in proximity to Middle Beach, Otter Island, Oiseau Bay and all petroform sites.
While visiting overnight camping areas, it is prohibited to:
- Camp in non-designated areas, such as parking areas or the canoe launch.
- Have more than 2 shelters (tents, RVs, etc.) and 6 people per campsite.
- Register for a campsite under the age of 18 and to leave any persons under the age of 18 unsupervised at said campsite.
- Stay at the same campsite longer than 13 nights, 14 days.
- Leave food, garbage or wildlife attractants out when you are away from your campsite for any length of time.
- Leave a fire unattended while away from a campsite for any length of time.
- Not register for overnight backcountry excursions.
- Date modified :