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Ely (population roughly 3,400) sits at the end of Highway 169 in northeastern Minnesota's St. Louis County, about 100 miles north of Duluth. It is one of the most visited small towns in the Upper Midwest, largely because it serves as the primary outfitting hub for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a federally protected wilderness of more than one million acres laced with interconnected lakes, portage trails, and forest.
Despite its small size, Ely supports a robust network of outfitters, canoe rental shops, guide services, and lodges oriented entirely around wilderness access. The town itself has a compact downtown with local restaurants, galleries, and specialty shops. Outside summer, Ely draws visitors for ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and wildlife watching—wolves, moose, bald eagles, and black bears are all present in the surrounding forest.
Ely also hosts the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center, two science-based wildlife education facilities that give the town a secondary identity beyond pure outdoor recreation. These institutions draw visitors who may not be paddlers but want an interpretive experience of the Northwoods ecosystem.
Before You Go
Entry and Visas
Ely is in the United States. For visa and entry requirements, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official US Customs and Border Protection website (cbp.gov). Requirements vary significantly by nationality.
BWCAW Permits
Entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness requires a permit during the quota season (generally late May through mid-September). Permits are issued through the US Forest Service Recreation.gov reservation system. Quota entry points fill up months in advance, especially on summer weekends—book as early as the reservation window opens if you have specific dates in mind. Outside the quota season, self-issuing day permits are typically available at trailheads.
What to Pack
- Paddling gear (most outfitters rent canoes, paddles, and dry bags if you don't own them)
- Bear-resistant food containers (required in the BWCAW; rentable locally)
- Quality rain gear and layers, even in summer—temperatures near Ely can drop significantly at night
- Insect repellent; black flies and mosquitoes are prevalent May through July
- Sunscreen and a wide-brim hat for open-water days
Connectivity
Cell service is limited inside Ely's downtown and largely absent once you enter the wilderness. Download offline maps before you leave. Satellite communicators (e.g., Garmin inReach) are recommended for multi-day backcountry trips.
Getting There
By Air
Ely does not have commercial air service. The nearest commercial airports are Duluth International Airport (DLH), approximately 100 miles to the south, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), roughly 240 miles southwest. Both are served by major US carriers. Renting a car at either airport is the standard approach; there is no public transit connecting them to Ely.
By Car
Most visitors drive. From Duluth, take Highway 53 north to Virginia, then Highway 169 northeast to Ely—a drive of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on conditions. From Minneapolis, allow approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. The route is scenic through the Iron Range and passes through the town of Tower before the final approach. Roads can be snow-covered and icy from November through April; winter tires or all-season tires with good tread are advisable.
By Bus
Verify current schedules locally, as regional bus service to Ely is limited and subject to change. No direct intercity bus service from Minneapolis to Ely was reliably operating as of this writing.
Getting Around
Ely's downtown is walkable—most restaurants, outfitters, and attractions are within a few blocks of each other along Sheridan Street. However, a car is essentially required to reach trailheads, entry points, and lodges outside of town, many of which are on forest roads that may be unpaved.
There is no local public transit system. Taxis and rideshares are not reliably available. If you are flying in and relying on a shuttle, arrange transportation through your outfitter or lodge well in advance, as options are limited.
For canoe travel inside the BWCAW, outfitters can often arrange tow or drop-off services to more remote entry points, saving paddlers a long portage at the start of a trip. Ask your outfitter about this when booking.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options in and around Ely range from lakeside resorts and cabin rentals to motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds. Many resorts are situated on lakes outside of town and offer canoe or motorboat access directly from their docks. Several outfitters operate lodges that bundle gear, guiding, and lodging.
Campgrounds within the BWCAW are primitive designated sites accessible only by canoe or on foot—no reservations for individual sites, and fires are regulated by the Forest Service. Outside the wilderness, developed campgrounds in Superior National Forest and state forests offer more amenities; verify availability through Recreation.gov or the Minnesota DNR.
Book accommodations well ahead for summer visits, particularly July and August. The shoulder seasons of late May–early June and September–early October offer more availability, smaller crowds, and often better wildlife viewing.
Things to See & Do
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Paddling the BWCAW is the defining Ely experience. The wilderness contains more than 1,000 lakes and 1,200 miles of canoe routes. Trips range from a single overnight on a nearby entry lake to two-week expeditions deep into the interior. Portages (overland carries between lakes) vary from a few rods to over a mile. Solitude, fishing, and star-filled skies are the main rewards.
International Wolf Center
The International Wolf Center on the eastern edge of downtown focuses on wolf education and research. It houses a small resident wolf pack observable through viewing windows and offers interpretive exhibits on wolf biology and the history of wolves in the Great Lakes region. Check the center's website for current hours and programming, as they vary by season.
North American Bear Center
Situated just west of downtown, the North American Bear Center is home to several habituated black bears and presents research-based programming on bear behavior. The facility is closely associated with the long-running Northwoods wildlife research of Dr. Lynn Rogers. Verify current hours on their official site.
Fishing
Ely-area lakes support walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, and brook trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required; regulations vary by species and water body. Licenses are available online through the Minnesota DNR or at local sporting goods stores.
Winter Activities
Winter transforms the region into a destination for dog sledding (several local operators offer trips ranging from a short run to multi-day expeditions—verify availability locally), snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. The Ely Winter Festival, held in February, is a long-standing community event worth checking.
Hiking
Superior National Forest surrounds Ely and contains numerous day-hiking trails. The area around Trezona Trail and the Blueberry Lake and Hegman Lake portage trails are popular introductions to the landscape. Trail conditions and access can vary; check with the US Forest Service Kawishiwi Ranger District before heading out.
Food & Drink
Ely's dining scene is modest but functional for a town of its size, with a handful of sit-down restaurants, a brewpub, and casual spots along Sheridan Street. Expect hearty, straightforward food suited to people who have been outdoors all day—burgers, fish, pastas, and soups are common.
The local craft beer scene has grown in recent years. Verify which breweries and taprooms are currently open, as small businesses in seasonal tourist towns can change. Grocery shopping is possible in town at a local supermarket; stock up before heading into the wilderness, as there are no resupply options inside the BWCAW.
If you are planning a multi-day backcountry trip, consider ordering freeze-dried or dehydrated meals from an outfitter, or prepare your own at home. Bear-resistant food containers are required, and food weight matters on long portages.
Practical Information
Health and Medical
Ely has a small critical access hospital—Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital—that handles routine care and emergencies, but serious trauma or complex conditions will require transfer to Duluth or the Twin Cities. Carry a comprehensive first-aid kit for any backcountry trip, and know how to treat blisters, sprains, hypothermia, and insect bites at a minimum.
Money
ATMs are available in Ely's downtown. Credit cards are accepted at most businesses. Some outfitters prefer or require payment in advance; confirm when booking. Cash can be useful for smaller transactions.
Weather
Summer highs typically reach the 70s–80s°F (low-to-mid 20s°C), with cool nights often dropping to the 40s–50s°F. Thunderstorms can develop rapidly over open water—know how to read weather and get off lakes quickly if lightning threatens. Winters are genuine: temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are common, and wind chill can be severe.
Emergency Contacts
Dial 911 for police, fire, and medical emergencies. In the BWCAW backcountry, where cell service is absent, a satellite communicator is strongly recommended for emergencies. Inform someone of your route and expected return date before any wilderness trip.
Safety
The primary safety considerations in Ely are wilderness-related rather than crime-related. The town itself is low-crime and generally safe.
Paddling hazards: Open-water crossings on large BWCAW lakes can be dangerous in high winds or during sudden storms. Inexperienced paddlers should stay close to shore, travel early in the day before afternoon winds build, and always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Cold water temperatures, even in summer, make capsizing in a remote area a serious risk.
Wildlife: Black bears are common in the BWCAW and surrounding forest. Proper food storage using certified bear-resistant containers is both required and genuinely important. Wolves, moose, and other wildlife should be observed from a distance and never approached or fed. Ticks (including deer ticks carrying Lyme disease) are present; check yourself thoroughly after time in brush.
Winter travel: Ice fishing and snowshoeing on frozen lakes require knowledge of ice thickness standards. Never travel on unfamiliar ice without checking conditions locally. Hypothermia risk is real in winter and in cold rain at any season.
