Rules and regulations

Pukaskwa National Park

Rules and regulations are in place to protect the ecological and commemorative integrity of Pukaskwa National Park, as well as ensure the enjoyment of all visitors. It is the responsibility of visitors to be aware and comply with rules and regulations.  Failure to do so may result in fines, permit cancellations and/or evictions from the park.

While visiting the park, it is prohibited to:

  • Collect or disturb plants, animals, rocks, shells or artifacts
  • Feed, harass or harm wildlife
  • Fish without a valid Ontario fishing license, use or possess lead fishing sinkers or jigs, or use live fish for bait
  • Bring firewood into the park
  • Consume alcohol outside of your campsite and at any other location in the park
  • Consume cannabis at the Anishinaabe camp and fire circle areas or outside of your campsite while in the campground
  • 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
  • Store boats along Hattie Cove shoreline or other shorelines along the Lake Superior coast within the park
  • Moor overnight in Hattie Cove unless for safe harbour purposes
  • Use a drone for filming/recreational purposes without proper permits
  • Film and/or take photographs for commercial purposes
  • Use, sell, or purchase fireworks, or any other type of explosive
  • Allow a pet off-leash, leave a pet unattended on a campsite, or not clean up pet waste

While visiting the frontcountry areas, it is prohibited to:

  • Have more than two shelters (tents) and six 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)
  • Dump grey water 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 provided
  • Leave a campfire unattended
  • Create a fire during restricted fire periods/bans
  • Use material from live or dead trees and plants (bark, twigs, or any type of green wood) for fires
  • 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
  • Remove driftwood from or create/leave driftwood structures on beaches

While visiting the backcountry areas, it is prohibited to:

  • Not register for overnight excursions
  • Have more than 8 people per campsite
  • Leave any garbage or gear at campsites or along the trail/water route
  • Cache food or gear long-term in food lockers
  • Start a fire outside of the provided metal fire box or in locations not previously used for fires
  • Use material from live trees and plants (bark, twigs, or any type of green wood) for fires  
  • Create a fire during restricted fire periods and/or bans  
  • Camp outside of designated campsite (except in the case of an emergency)
  • Access Otter Island beyond the lighthouse and light keeper dwellings
  • Disturb or remove archaeological artifacts or cultural features (i.e. Pukaskwa pits)

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