Howdy y'all! Do all members of the party need to be present at the Quetico ranger station to pickup the permit? Or can the leader or alternate do it without the others?

I’m pretty sure most years I’ve been the only one at the ranger station while I picked up the permit. Usually my group would be waiting by the canoes. The last couple times I’ve been through prairie portage a newer younger ranger wanted all members of the party present to go through the rules, regs, and camping ethics presentation.

That has also been our experience. I think they only want the permit holder to go in office to check in. They do want everyone to go through the back woods orientation and I have seen them have rangers run down a group canoeing on and make them go back for orientation. We try and get there with the earliest tow possible because sometimes they make you wait until they can gather a group for the orientation. That is a bummer if you are planning on a long day of paddling.

Not complaining, their park, their rules. I appreciate their concern with the backcountry but waiting for the orientation can be frustrating.

We pick up our permit at the Atikokan ranger station and the entire crew goes in, mainly because everyone wants to. One person takes care of the permit, answering questions, etc., but others are there to help if needed, especially when it comes to answering the color of the tents and canoes.

Everyone listens to the backcountry talk that they give to every group.

Yes... all members for your group need to stop at the ranger station. The ranger will need a count of canoeists for figuring the camping fees.

Prairie…have always needed the whole group. At least the 15x, I’ve been there.

At Prairie it’s annoying…people in line unprepared and then they have to track down everyone in their group while the line get’s longer. If the Ranger gets annoyed enough they will kick ya out of line :)

On the North side if you use a Canadian outfitter it’s hit or miss.

On Lac La Croix, just the group leader, in my 5x. They don’t seem to be very picky…

T