We will be driving north thru International Falls. The consensus seems to be Stanton Bay as the best entry if we are going to Chatterton Falls and out thru the BW from there.

A couple of questions:
We are getting a ride up and are being dropped by a friend. So being dropped off at Stanton is not an issue if we are not leaving a car there?

Five guys in a van with gear is okay on the road there?

Where can I pick up the permit?

I don’t recall a specific Stanton entry. Is it French or Nym?

Last, is it simpler to just leave from French?

Sorry for all the questions but have not entered from the north in while.

Pretty sure that's a Pickerel Lake Entry; others may know for sure or just call the Atikokan HQ...they'll know. That's probably where you pick up the permit as well.

Similarly, I am under the impression that the vehicle restriction at SB is just for overnight parking - so a drop-off should be fine, but you may want to confirm with the HQ. The road is fine, though there will be some spots where it's prudent to go slower.

French is a little easier for your driver, and might be OK if you launch with an east wind...however usually SB is better for your route. Paddling difference is likely at least two hours to the good from SB.

Pickerel Lake E.P. for Stanton Bay. Permits can be picked up at Dawson Trail or Atikokan.

What SNS and Esoxmike said above is correct. ^

Canoe Canada Outfitters can write the permit and you can skip the pick-up if you use them I think. They just have to enter the permit for you.

Being dropped off at stanton is not an issue. only restriction is non residents cannot park over night.

I cannot comment on the stanton road but have been told by outfitters it can range from ok to pretty bad depending on the time of year and weather conditions etc. we will be going in there in early august by shuttle.

If you do have 5 guys, the cost of a shuttle would be minimal when spit up 5 ways. you could consider contacting seine river lodge as i found out just last week that they will run their shuttle even if you do not use them for any other services.

If you are coming from int falls, french would only be about another 10 min past the stanton turn off. so as far as driving to the entry, getting your gear to the water etc it is def simpler to enter at french. you can also get your permit there. the down side as someone pointed out, is that you are adding at least a couple of hrs paddling, and if you run into a bad west wind, you may be significantly delayed. you may even get wind bound before you hit the main body of pickerel lake.

If you are not using an outfitter for anything then you will have to get your permit yourself for a pickerel lake entry from the atikokan office or dawson trail (french lake) office. if coming from int falls it would be best to stop at the atikokan office then continue to stanton bay from there. atikokan office is only about 5 min off the highway. just be sure you know the office hours so you dont show up when it's closed. that would suck. lol