This Quiet Minnesota Town Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
The remote northern reaches of Minnesota are a nature lover's playground, and no town exemplifies that like Ely. It is an all-seasons outdoor destination in the Superior National Forest with impressive wildlife and no shortage of gorgeous spots for camping, hiking, and canoeing. Vast lakes and forests on the edges of a subdued but friendly former mining town make Ely worth the trek up to far northern Minnesota for anyone seeking big views with small crowds.
A Former Mining Town Turned Tourist Hub
Ely (pronounced EE-lee) got its start when a mid-19th-century gold rush in the nearby Lake Vermilion area brought prospectors to the region, which abuts the Canadian border. Though the area did not turn out to be very rich in gold, iron was abundant, and soon a town sprang up around a booming trade in iron ore.
By the mid-20th century, declining demand for iron ore had weakened the local mining industry, while federal protections for the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness increasingly limited large-scale resource extraction and helped shift the region's economy toward tourism and outdoor recreation.
With a population just over 3,000, Ely is now both diminutive and comparatively bustling when taken in the context of its region's extremely low population density. Today it is known mostly as a regional hub for visitors who flock to the area for outdoor activities in a vast, sparsely-populated wilderness where a remote location meets excellent tourism infrastructure, a rare combination that makes Ely truly unique as a wilderness destination.
Prime Water Activities in the Land of 10,000 Lakes
The far-northern tip of Minnesota, where Ely is located, is pockmarked with lakes of all shapes and sizes, so it is no surprise that the prime draw to Ely for outdoor adventurers is a water sport. Here in the far-northern forest, canoeing is the name of the game. Canoe enthusiasts have taken such a shine to Ely as a jumping-off point for paddling trips that canoeing has taken off as a fully-fledged industry in town. About 20 canoe outfitters offering supplies and guided trips for visitors hoping to ply the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness operate in Ely today.
Canoe routes in the area range from sedate and beginner-friendly to rip-roaring, and any of Ely's expert outfitters will be able to help you find a canoe trip that suits your skill level and tastes. Whichever you choose, scenery is stunning. Ice Age glaciation carved out a rugged expanse of beaches and cliffs set against the verdant backdrop of the Superior National Forest. Even if you are not usually a paddler, it is a can't-miss activity on any trip to Ely.
Fishing is also very popular in the area. Ely and its surroundings are home to several fishing resorts, local guides take guests deep into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for better angling, and the abundant walleye catch is ubiquitous both on recreational fishing trips and in the town's restaurants. It is also considered to be one of the best places in the Great Lakes region for ice fishing.
Quiet Wilderness Means Abundant Wildlife
Because Ely is located in such a remote part of the Great Lakes region, you have a better chance of seeing wildlife that is hard to spot in more populated areas. Visitors often spot beavers at work on their dams in the area's lakes and streams, and this is the only area of Minnesota that still has an active population of black bears. The common loon, Minnesota's state bird, can regularly be heard out on the water in the spring and summer months.
Those who get especially lucky might even spot a rare moose or timber wolf, two of the area's most charismatic species. This is no guarantee, though, so if your heart is set on seeing a wolf, a visit to the research-focused International Wolf Center is a better bet. You are not only guaranteed a wolf sighting but will be able to learn about and support efforts to study these elusive creatures in one of the last regions of the continental US where they are frequently seen in the wild. The North American Bear Center, with a research and rescue focus on black bears, is a similar institution worth checking out if you would like to see a bear at a safe distance while learning more about their biology and behavior.
Both Camping and Rustic Luxury Abound
If the idea of staying under a roof on your outdoor vacation makes you shudder, you will have no shortage of camping options in Ely, either. The Superior National Forest maintains several types of campgrounds, some free and some paid, while the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness allows camping with a permit. Either way, you will have no shortage of options if you want to immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the region's lakes and forests by sleeping under the stars.
For those who would rather not camp, several lodges and inns provide rustic but refined stays with a little more creature comfort. The Grand Ely Lodge Resort is a lodge where country charm meets elegance with a full-service restaurant and marina, and the year-round Timber Trail Resort has been in business since 1939 as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area that can assist you in arranging your outdoor adventures in the area.
An Unsung Natural Retreat
There is no denying that it takes a trek to get to Ely. It is not near any major cities, and you are probably looking at a very long road trip no matter where you begin. But its isolation also helps preserve the tranquility of this peaceful, forested region, and Ely has managed to stay under the radar despite its incredible natural beauty and abundance of recreation opportunities. So go ahead and plan that trip. The reward is absolutely worth the effort.
