quetico trip reports

Manitoba Adventures

Seven days in Quetico

Ok, Quetico Provincial Park is not in Manitoba. So does a trip report about Quetico belong on a page called Manitoba Adventures? I say: yes, yes it does. Because it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away, right? (Alright, it’s a good 6 hour drive to its nearest entry point.) Plus, I lived in Northwestern Ontario for several years, and this area was, in fact, my literal backyard during that time. And it’s hardly the first Ontario trip report that I include here. 🙂

Maybe I should change the name of the site… perhaps Adventures from Winnipeg? A Winnipegger’s Adventures? We’ll see.

We decided to make our “big trip” this year a Quetico trip. Ten years ago, we were living in Northwestern Ontario and the three of us (Tim and I, and our son Dominic, who, at the time, was 7 years old) took a four-day canoe trip in Quetico. We have fond memories of that trip, and still talk and laugh about some of its most memorable moments regularly. Partially out of nostalgia, Tim & I decided a 10-year anniversary trip was exactly what we needed. One of the reasons we’re feeling so nostalgic these days is that Dominic just graduated from high school. And the other, I turned the big four-oh, a few days before we departed on our big trip to Quetico.

It’s one of those moments that made me take stock of the time that’s passed. And realize that as I get older, time seems to pass faster.

Without further ado, here’s the trip report . And as always, drop me a line if you’ve got any questions or comments.

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Quetico Park: Wilderness Canoeing at its Best!

Wilderness Paddling in Sunset Country, Ontario

For the wilderness canoeist, the name Quetico conjures up images of giant white pines, crystal clear lakes, and some of North America's best wilderness canoeing. Quetico Park , located in Northwestern Ontario's Sunset Country is for many canoeists, the ultimate place to paddle. Quetico Park is located west of Lake Superior and stretches 40 miles north and 60 miles east-west from the boundary waters of the Canada-US border. Atikokan , the closest Canadian town is called the "Canoeing Capital of Canada".

With hundreds of lakes and rivers in its boundaries, the waterways wind their way through the vast boreal forest landscape. Once the routes of the Ojibway and later, the fur traders, Quetico is steeped in history as well as mystery. There are few places like it anywhere else on earth. Classified as a wilderness park, Quetico is a place where you can find that ultimate camping spot and where novice or experienced canoeists can find routes that fit their skill level. Go fishing in lakes so pristine you can see the bottom at 15 feet and where bass, walleye and northern pike are abundant. Motorboats are prohibited in the park, so it makes for a very peaceful paddle. The park is so large that often you may only see one or two other canoeists your whole trip.

According to the Quetico Foundation , the greatest concentration of aboriginal rock paintings in eastern North America occurs between Lake Superior and the Manitoba border and in and around Quetico Park. Throughout the Park, there are 28 known pictograph sites, often associated with impressive cliff faces. Usually less than 30 cm in size, the pictographs are reddish in colour because of the pigment, red ochre, a soft oxide of iron. The pictographs show a variety of figures including humans, canoes, moose, caribou, bears, turtles, and abstract symbols.

With its vast size, Quetico presents the opportunity for a vigorous "paddle to a new site every day excursion" or a more relaxed, "paddle in and camp"  type of trip. Regardless of what you decide to do, if you love wilderness canoeing then you are going to find this park to your liking. In the Town of Atikokan , located just north of the Park, you will find canoe outfitters who can set you up for a safe trip into the park. If you are a novice canoeist, the option of a guided canoe trip is available. Here you don't have to worry about knowing the exact route to take as an experienced guide will look after all that for you. If you have a lot of experience as a paddler, then you may want to use the services of an outfitter to help you plan your routes before setting out on your own. Local canoe outfitters can also rent you all the equipment you will need for a successful trip into the backcountry.

Although most campsites in Quetico are backcountry sites, there is one drive-to campground. The Dawson Trail Campground is located just off Highway 11 on French Lake, 48 km east of Atikokan on Highway 11 and 167 km west of Thunder Bay. There are over 100 campsites, with about half the sites having electrical and some pull-through options for larger campers. There are comfort stations with showers and laundry facilities. One comfort station is now winterized for year-round use. Yurts are available for rent at Dawson Trail Campground. The yurts sleep up to six, with electricity, a table, chairs, barbeque, and an outdoor fire pit.

Add some adventure to your life. Take a trip into Quetico Park and discover what a true wilderness landscape looks like. Once you do, we know you will return - again and again...

For more information on the park, visit the Ontario Parks website , Friends of Quetico , the Quetico Foundation , or Quetico Park .

Bonus Link: Canoe Routes Across Ontario's Sunset Country

Find a Canoe Outfitter in Quetico Park

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I grew up on Black Sturgeon Lake in Northwestern Ontario. I am a staff writer for the Sunset Country Travel Association. Through my articles I hope to entice you to visit the wonderful region I call home. We are all about outdoor adventure; with 70,000 lakes and rivers and a whole lot of forests how can we not be? Whether you like to fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, boat or go camping, Sunset Country has something for you. Enjoy!

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Official Quetico Trip  Planning Map

Wilderness guide – free download, wilderness guide – download, download the quetico fee schedule, free download, topographic maps – coming soon, contact your outfitter, general packing list, park fire status, crown land: non-residents must purchase a  crown land permit  for $9.35 + hst (per person, per night) or rent a tent from a   quetico outfitter ..

• Quetico and Boundary Waters Canoe Routes

Quetico and Boundary Waters Canoe Routes from our base on Seagull Lake

What’s your ideal Canoe Route?

Some of you come for the world-class fishing, some of you like the peaceful solitude offered by the Boundary Waters setting, and others of you set off in search of the many wildlife viewing opportunities. Or maybe you are looking for a combination of all of these aspects provided by a Boundary Waters adventure. Whatever the goal of your vacation, it can be found inside the two million acres that make up the BWCAW and Quetico Parks.

On the eastern side of the BWCAW/Quetico, specifically the end of the Gunflint Trail, you’ll find it to be less congested than other areas of the wilderness. This is mainly in part because you have to drive a little further to get up to us. But that’s the way we like it because here is where you’ll get away from the crowds of people and find the solitude that so many of us seek. When describing their ideal canoe trip to us, many paddlers give us the same outline. It goes like this:

So for those of you unfamiliar with our area, these route descriptions will attempt to shed some light on a few specific Quetico and Boundary Waters Canoe Routes that could provide you with your next Boundary Waters experience. Again, these are a choice few routes that will help whet your whistle and we’d be glad to talk with you more in detail about any of these routes or one of the many others not listed here.

Boundary Waters Canoe Routes

Route planning map of the BWCAW * adobe reader needed to view BWCAW map

• Seagull Lake Base Camp
• Saganaga Lake Base Camp
• Ogishkemuncie Base Camp
• Ester & Hanson Base Camp
• Long Island Base Camp
• Granite River Route
• Thunder Point Loop
• Seagull to Saganaga Loop
• Round-Little Saganaga-Seagull
• Frost River Route
• Red Rock Base Camp
• Poplar to Ham Route
• Pitfall PMA Route
• Gijikiki Lake Loop
• Canadian Border Route
• Missing Link-Tuscarora-Gillis Loop
• Missing Link – Snipe – Cross Bay
• Saganaga Base – 1st, 2nd, 3rd Bay

Quetico Canoe Routes (Ontario, Canada)

Route planning map of Quetico * adobe reader needed to view Quetico map

• Saganagons Base Camp
• Man Chain Loop
• Silver Falls-Jasper-Ottertrack
• Boundary Point-Mack-Wawiag-Falls Chain
• McEwen / Wet Lake Base Camp
• Ottertrack Base Camp
• Kawnipi Lake Base Camp
• Blackstone Lake Base Camp

Need help selecting a route for your group? Give us a ring. 218-388-2216 We love to help plan the best canoe trips that fit your abilities and experience to make the most of your time in Quetico Park and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

For information or reservations call: 218-388-2216

What our customers say....

Deb, we wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for taking care of us this year. My brothers and I recognize that you go above and beyond for us and we really appreciate it. We had a great couple of trips this year and the kids had a once-in-a-lifetime experience in newly-reopened Quetico thanks to your encouragement to switch our plans. I hope you have a good rest of the season and we will look forward to seeing you next year. Eric August 12, 2022

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Quetico Canoe Trip Guide

Quetico Canoe Trip Guide:  Once you launch your canoe into the waters of Quetico Provincial Park you will find it easy and natural to forget the stresses of the modern world.  Stress wanes as the days go by as the  simple routines of canoe travel bring you closer to the land and the waters of the Quetico wilderness. You can fish, swim, set up a hammock after lunch or just sit on a rock and watch the sun set over the pines of Quetico. These special moments will coalesce into memories that will remain with you for the rest of your life.

When to Visit  Quetico Provincial Park

The lakes tend to shed their ice around between mid and late May which gives the early bird visitor a chance at hungry fish with a   brief cool bug free experience. If you are looking to visit in May be sure to call a us to ensure that the ice is out. If not, you may find yourself watching the ice melt.

June:  June offers amazing fishing with warmer days with some rain and few visitors. The mosquitoes and black flies are definitely out so choose open campsites with a breeze and bring a bug tent to enjoy the solitude. If you’re enjoy fishing, June is the month for you with lots of bass, lake trout and walleye waiting for you. Reservations are easy to get for any access point in June and the outfitters have lots of gear available. The pines beach ( Video ) on pickerel lake is a great, portage free, place to enjoy a nice breeze as you explore the area.

July : Early July is similar to June with warmer weather but with diminishing bugs as the month progresses. The fishing is still very good but I would bring a bug tent to lounge and cook in. The last two weeks of July are a nice time to visit Quetico. You will have to make sure to get your park reservations at least 5 months ahead of time. Remember that Quetico has very low fishing pressure , as most visitors don’t fish, and those who do fish might take one or two fish for a shore lunch. Seriously, fish die of old age in Quetico Provincial Park. Be sure to arrange to get an Ontario zone 5 fishing permit .

August : Is the peak season, especially so around the first Monday in August which is a civic holiday in Ontario. You will need to reserve well in advance to secure your Quetico Provincial Park reservation and if you are renting gear from an outfitter , be sure to reserve your canoe and shuttle well in advance. Expect excellent weather with low to no bugs, great swimming and yes the fish will take still take your lure. You will see your fellow paddlers but there is plenty of campsites and you can still enjoy the quiet solitude that Quetico offers. On a side note, this is the best time to introduce a friend or family to the wonders of Quetico. Here is a family friendly 3 + days canoe route: The Bays Trip

September : Is very busy around the labor day weekend, which falls on the first Monday of September. Again, park reservations are definitely required as are reservations with local Quetico outfitters for boats and shuttles. Beyond labor day the park visits drop off as people go back to work and school. This makes the last two middle weeks off September a fabulous time to explore Quetico park. You will enjoy moderated temperates with no bugs and few visitors. You will also see the slow progression of the fall colors as the seasons progress.

Quetico Canoe Routes

Once you have decided on a time frame and recruited some friends or family members, it’s time to choose your canoe route. At this point you should consider giving us a call for some advice on your route to discuss your, schedule, permits and especially your groups goals and capabilities. It’s very important to choose a route that is right for you and your fellow paddlers. Consider the weather; as a hot July trip can significantly reduce the number of miles you can do in a day!! Try to remember that you are on vacation so consider adding a few days to relax and enjoy the Quetico wilderness.

These Quetico canoe trip routes contain detailed route information, basic maps with camp sites and a GPX file for your GPS. The routes are based on paddling 10 miles (16 km) / day. Times vary by group and how much stuff you bring but with double portaging expect to spend 4-5 hours paddling and portaging each day. Early risers could easily finish by lunch. With that being said, it is always nice to add extra days to fish, swim or just to setup a hammock.

Quiet Lakes Trip (5 Days+)

Quetico Bays Trip (3 Days)

Rawn lake trip (3+ days), beaverhouse loop trip (5 days), quetico north trip (5+ days), chatterton falls trip (6 days), tranquility trip (6 days), quetico traverse (7 days), figure 8 route (14+ days), other quetico canoe routes (ontario parks).

These canoe routes are suggested by Ontario Parks. Visit  Ontario Parks  for more information.

Dawson Trail Ranger Station: Baptism Creek-Cache Lake Loop 123 km (6 days) 18 lakes, 20 portages, challenging Baptism Creek is accessible from French Lake in the northeast corner of Quetico Provincial Park. Few visitors venture southeast of the lake. This route is recommended for seasoned trippers who are physically able to surmount two of the park’s most formidable obstacles – the Cache Lake portages. For those who don’t mind backtracking or rugged portages, this entry point offers canoeists a quick escape into wilderness solitude and isolation not found at many other entry points.

Atikokan Ranger Station: Batchewaung-Twin-Jean-Jesse Loop 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 from Batchewaung, steer an easterly course through Pickerel Narrows then head south and southwest through Dore and Twin lakes to gigantic Sturgeon Lake. Near its west end, enter Jean Creek. After paddling north through 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.

Beaverhouse Ranger Station: Cirrus Lake-The Sue Falls Loop 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. 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.

Lac La Croix Ranger Station: McAree Lake 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.

Prairie Portage Ranger Station: Carp Lake-Hunter’s Island Loop 379 miles (13 days) 25 lakes, 29 portages, easy to challenging If you have two full weeks to spend on the water, this route is scenic, historic and one of the most varied. The lakes and rivers along this loop were part of the Voyageurs’ Highway – the route of the fur traders between Lake Superior and Rainy Lake. Throughout the loop are historic sites where natives, prospectors, settlers, and loggers left their marks. Counter-clockwise is the best direction to paddle the loop, allowing you to take advantage of the Maligne River’s occasional swift current. You should allow one layover day, just in case you get held up by high winds on a large lake.

Cache Bay Ranger Station: Falls Chain-The K-K-K Loop 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, paddle to the northeast end of Cache Bay. View Silver Falls at the first portage, then paddle to the north end of Saganagons Lake and begin the journey to the Falls Chain 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.

Ontario Parks Reservations and Penalties

Reservations can not be made earlier than five months before your planned park entry date. E.g. Reserve on March 5th for for entry on August 5th. Note that the period between July 15th and the first week of September can be busy. A park reservation will require a deposit of $100 plus a reservation fee of between $11 – $13.  Note: You will need to decide on your canoe route before you reserve as park reservations are for a specific day at one of the 21 park entry points.

Quetico Park Reservation vs Quetico Permit

The reservation is just that, a reservation to enter the park on a given day at a given entry point (E.g. Beaverhouse lake, Pickerel lake etc). When you arrive you will have to go to one of the six official park ranger stations to secure a park entry permit . To avoid this we highly recommend that you have your outfitter arrange your reservation date and pick up your entry permit so that it is ready and waiting for you when you arrive.

Once you or your outfitter has secured your park entry date you will need to decide if you will be bringing your own boat(s) and gear. If not, it is a good idea to reserve  whatever gear, canoes and shuttles  you may need.

Note… Canoes can be scarce in high season (Mid July – The week of labor day) so if you need to reserve canoe(s) do so once you or your outfitter has secured your park entry date reservation.

Quetico Park Rules

Quetico is a wilderness park with restrictions that protect the delicate ecology of the park. These common sense rules go a long way towards keeping Quetico pristine.

• Quetico visitors are not allowed to have non-burnable and non reusable food items and beverages. E.g Tuna cans, beer cans etc.
• Group size may must not exceed more than 9 members.  
• Glass bottles and can are forbidden with the exception of fuel bottle, insect repellent, personal care items such as medications, and toiletries.  
• Motorized tools or vehicles off any kind.  
• It is furthermore illegal to damage live trees and other plants.
• Only barbless hooks and artificial baits are permitted.
• No organic baits such as worms, salted minnows etc.
• You can bring barbed hooks into the park but you must crimp the the barbs with pliers before you attach them to your fishing line.
• Quetico park recommends the use of lead free fishing tackle.
• Only dead wood must be used for your camp fire.
• Respect the fire notices and bring a stove as needed so that you can comply with fire restrictions.
• No fireworks, guns, bows or any hunting gear.

Quetico Park Fees 2024

Dawson creek campground.

The vast majority of the visitors to Quetico visit to enjoy a Quetico canoe trip. However, the park has a full service campground that has many things to see and do. These amazing sites are divided into the Chippewa area which is closest to the main entrance and the Ojibwa section which is deeper into the campground. The sites can be reserved the Ontario Parks  Site.  

The Dawson Creek Pavillion is an official entry point to the park where you can get your backcountry park permits. The John B. Ridley library is housed in the pavilion and is accessible to all visitors as is the gift shop. You can purchase books and Quetico maps featuring the ecology and history of the park.

You can use the hot showers, laundry facilities, hike one of many trails, rent a canoe or kayak, enjoy several beaches, enjoy one of the many parks staff interpretative shows and events. rent one of the three rustic cabins .  

Here is a great idea : You can use the “Canoe Parking Area” located in the Ojibwa area to park your car. Just be sure to display your backcountry permit. Better yet, if you are working with a local outfitter, you can drop off your car at the parking area and have them shuttle you to your put-in . When your canoe trip is finished simple load your car, grab a shower on the way out. This allows you the luxury of not having a specific time to exit the park.

Call Barry at  (807) 929-2266

Contact Us Here

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Quetico Fly In – Falls Chain Route

The Falls Chain route is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular and challenging routes in “The Quetico”. A dozen of Quetico’s finest waterfalls and numerous crystal clear lakes await you on your journey as you paddle and portage through the heart of the Quetico wilderness.

Quetico Park Map

OFFICIAL QUETICO PARK MAP…… Shipping 1 map to USA: Ontario Parks $15, our rate is $12, Shipping 1 map to Canada: Ontario Parks $6, our rate is $5, Shipping 1 map Overseas: Ontario Parks (Does Not Ship Internationally) we do it for $12.

Quetico Park Map is invaluable as a Quetico canoe trip planning resource. The map offers detailed and quality information that will give you an overall perspective of the Quetico wilderness.

One well maintained portage is all it takes to get onto this amazing trip thus making this trip accessible to kayakers and […]

Quetico Canoe Trip with my dad

Big Bend Chat

Get into the wild and wonderful weeds of the Texas Big Bend.

• Big Bend Chat > Random Bits from the Outside World > Non-BIBE Trip Reports >

Quetico trip report

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Freeleo1 wrote: It actually works out well. BWCA/ Quetico in the summer and Big Bend in the winter or early spring. Camping in the heat or extreme cold is not my idea of fun. Both places are a way to find quiet and solitude with a little work. Be careful, the BWCA can be addicting. The availability of easily obtained water is a major bonus. Having to carry extra water is pretty limiting in regular backpacking so we can plan longer trips. Car camping in the Big Bend area is usually enough of an adventure for us with lots of interesting day hikes so I don't find it as necessary, though I would like to try another Chisos two night camp out if I can talk my husband into it.

Post Aug 31, 2023 #13 2023-08-31T18:15+00:00

Post Sep 02, 2023 #14 2023-09-02T02:06+00:00

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Quetico Provincial Park: Bentpine Creek Loop (6 days, 100 km)

Quetico Provincial Park is well known to contain some of the best backcountry camping in Ontario. Located approximately 2 hours west of Thunder Bay, the park is a bit of a journey to reach, especially from southwestern Ontario, but well worth the payoff. Considered by some paddlers as the “holy grail” of backcountry paddling, the park has it all. Secluded lakes with no cottages or boats, low traffic, easy access, well-maintained portages, beautiful campsites, excellent fishing, abundant wildlife, and fascinating relics from the past. The list goes on and on.

This route was featured in Kevin Callan’s book “Top 50 Canoe Routes of Ontario”, and felt very well-paced and thought out. Large lakes dominate the first half of the trip, travelling eastward with the prevailing winds, followed by smaller lakes heading back west against the prevailing winds. 

My paddling partner Danny and I had been talking about visiting Quetico for a few years, and now that we had friends who had just moved to Thunder Bay, we finally had an excuse to make the trip North. We visited in mid-late September, right at the start of the off-season, and were rewarded with cooler temps, no bugs, and almost no other people to be seen.

Trip Completed: September 2022

Trip Summary

Starting Point: Beaverhouse Lake

Ending Point: Beaverhouse Lake

Total Distance: 100 km (Kevin Callan’s book says this route is 65 km, but I mapped it at 100 km)

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights

Difficulty: Intermediate. Knowledge of portaging and navigation is a must. Campsites and portages are not marked, and at times can be difficult to find.

Northwest Quetico Provincial Park. The nearest town to the put-in is Atikokan, ON.

Traditional Territory: This route takes place on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki (source). 

Maps & Resources

Guidebook: Top 50 Canoe Routes of Ontario - Kevin Callan

Maps: Adventure Maps - Quetico Provincial Park and Are...

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Special counsel probed Trump Mar-a-Lago trip that aides 'kept quiet' weeks before FBI search: Sources

One witness was told Trump was "checking on the boxes," sources said.

A trip to Mar-a-Lago taken by former President Donald Trump that aides allegedly "kept quiet" just weeks before FBI agents searched the property for classified materials in his possession raised suspicions among special counsel Jack Smith's team as a potential additional effort to obstruct the government's classified documents investigation , sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The previously unreported visit, which allegedly took place July 10-12 in the summer of 2022, was raised in several interviews with witnesses, sources familiar with the matter said, as investigators sought to determine whether it was part of Trump's broader alleged effort to withhold the documents after receiving a subpoena demanding their return.

MORE: Special counsel questioned witnesses about 2 rooms FBI didn't search inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence: Sources

At least one witness who worked closely with the former president recalled being told at the time of the trip that Trump was there "checking on the boxes," according to sources familiar with what the witness told investigators.

Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 40 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials after leaving the White House, after prosecutors said he repeatedly refused to return hundreds of documents containing classified information and took steps to thwart the government's efforts to get them back. His longtime aide, Walt Nauta, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira pleaded not guilty to related charges.

Trump has denied all charges and denounced the probe as a political witch hunt.

Gathering evidence

Several witnesses who spoke to investigators described the trip as highly unusual, given that Trump typically spends the summer months at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, and because Trump's living quarters at his Mar-a-Lago property were under construction at the time of the visit, sources said.

Other witnesses who were questioned by Smith's team said they were led to believe that Trump returned to check on the status of the renovations, said sources.

Just weeks before the trip, as ABC News has previously reported , Trump allegedly had the lock on a closet in his residence changed while his attorney was in Mar-a-Lago's basement searching for classified documents in a storage room that he was told contained all such documents. The FBI failed to check the locked closet in Trump's residence when they searched the estate in August 2022, which some investigators later came to believe should have been done.

The trip came as investigators were gathering evidence that Trump continued to possess classified documents, and followed a separate subpoena in late June 2022 seeking surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago that showed aides to Trump moving boxes between a storage room in the resort and his residence.

The trip also followed a similar instance of unplanned travel to Mar-a-Lago by Nauta, where, according to a superseding indictment , he is alleged to have conspired with Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira to attempt to delete security camera footage.

Contacted by ABC News, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, without providing evidence, accused prosecutors of lying and illegally leaking material.

"The entire documents case was a political sham from the very beginning and it should be thrown out entirely," Cheung said in comments to ABC News.

A spokesperson for the special counsel's office declined to comment to ABC News.

'Keeping this one quiet'

At the time of Trump's trip in July 2022, some staff expressed confusion as to where Trump would even stay on the property, sources said, given the renovations that his living quarters were undergoing.

"They were keeping this one quiet ... nobody knew about this trip," one witness with direct knowledge of the trip told investigators, according to sources familiar with the witness' statements.

Trump left New Jersey on July 9, 2022, for a campaign rally in Anchorage, Alaska, and was scheduled to return to New Jersey following that event, according to aircraft manifests described by sources to ABC News. But the plans changed in the days immediately leading up to the trip and he decided to fly to Florida instead, updated aircraft manifests of the trip show.

According to sources, investigators involved in the case identified what they believe to be a series of unusual steps taken by Trump and members of his inner circle to ensure the trip stayed under the radar.

Nauta, who traveled with Trump on the trip, sent a number of text messages to close staff members indicating that the Florida visit was to be kept quiet, according to sources familiar with the contents of the messages.

"I'm pretty sure [Trump] wants minimal people around on Monday," Nauta texted one longtime Trump employee just one day before Trump arrived in Florida, according to a message sources detailed to ABC News.

And on July 8, when one Trump Organization employee reached out to Nauta wanting to confirm rumors of a Trump visit so proper preparations could be made, Nauta made clear he wanted the trip to remain "discreet," sources familiar with the communications said. The sources said Nauta sent a text message to the employee that included emojis with zippers over the mouth, which is often used to convey a secret.

MORE: Trump's attorneys seek to invalidate appointment of special prosecutor Jack Smith

Nauta also wrote a message to De Oliveira on July 7 that said "Coming down to FL soon" with shushing emojis to indicate the visit be kept quiet, according to another text message described by sources.

De Oliveira initially told investigators that he had no knowledge of Trump's trip to Florida -- but the special counsel has evidence that supports the allegation De Oliveira was well aware of Trump's travel plans, corroborated in part by security camera footage that shows Trump and De Oliveira together, according to sources familiar with De Oliveira's meetings with investigators.

De Oliveira later told investigators he recalled seeing the former president very briefly during that trip, sources said.

Smith's interest in the trip adds to the list of instances in which investigators appeared to suspect Trump was seeking to obstruct their probe.

Last month, a court filing from Smith's team revealed additional steps prosecutors believed Trump and his associates had taken to obstruct their probe, alleging that after Trump was informed by his attorney of a government subpoena for video footage from Mar-a-Lago, Trump instructed aides to return several boxes they had previously removed from the storage room in the club's basement -- without being caught on camera.

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