Discover the Best Things to Do in Ely, MN: An Outdoor Paradise.
Located in northern Minnesota, Ely is a small town that has become a beloved vacation destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The area is well known for its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities, making it the perfect spot for those who love to explore the great outdoors.
Whether you’re interested in fishing, hiking, canoeing, or enjoying a peaceful nature retreat, Ely has something for everyone.
One of the top attractions near Ely is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a protected wilderness area that offers over 1,200 miles of scenic canoeing and kayaking trails.
This beautiful area is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as a diverse range of wildlife, including moose, black bears, and wolves. Visitors can take guided tours, rent canoes or kayaks, or explore the area independently.
For those interested in fishing, Ely is a paradise. With countless lakes and streams in the area, there are plenty of opportunities to catch trout, walleye, northern pike, and more.
Whether a seasoned angler or a beginner, plenty of local guides and outfitters can help you find the best spots and provide all the gear you need for a successful trip.
But Ely isn’t just for outdoor enthusiasts – there are plenty of other attractions in town. For example, the International Wolf Center is a must-visit for animal lovers, offering a fascinating look at the lives of wolves and their importance in the ecosystem.
The Soudan Underground Mine is another popular attraction, taking visitors deep underground to explore the fascinating history of mining in the area. And for those who want to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, plenty of vacation and cabin rentals are available, many of which offer stunning views of the lakes and forests surrounding Ely.
International Wolf Center
Nestled in the heart of the largest wolf population in the lower 48 states, the International Wolf Center is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in these mysterious predators.
The center’s flagship facility is an impressive 17,000-square-foot space featuring a 1.25-acre wolf enclosure and den site home to resident wolf packs.
Visitors can get up close and personal with these majestic creatures through observation windows designed to represent wolf eyes and ears, gaining a unique insight into their behavior and daily lives.
The center’s history is as impressive as its facilities. Founded in 1985 as a committee dedicated to creating a permanent home for the “Wolves and Humans” exhibit, the International Wolf Center has since become a world-renowned research and educational organization.
Today, it offers a range of educational programs, including howling trips, radio tracking, snowshoe treks, dogsledding, videos, and hikes. In addition, programs are custom-designed for groups of all ages, making it an ideal destination for families, school groups, and researchers.
The International Wolf Center’s commitment to education doesn’t end at its doors. Through its comprehensive website, quarterly magazine, classroom visits, webcams, international symposia, and distance learning program, the center reaches people worldwide with educational messages about the wolf.
By teaching people about these fascinating predators, the International Wolf Center aims to ensure a future wilderness complete with the exciting howl of the wolf.
North American Bear Center
Nestled near the picturesque town of Ely, Minnesota, the North American Bear Center is a beautiful wildlife park that promises to educate and enchant visitors of all ages.
As soon as you step inside, you’ll be immersed in a world where the myths and misconceptions about black bears are replaced with fascinating facts and insights gleaned from years of trust-based research.
The center is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists eager to learn more about the elusive and mysterious world of black bears.
The North American Bear Center exhibits are thoughtfully curated and designed to captivate and educate visitors. From the life-sized replica of an extinct short-faced bear skeleton that dominates the main exhibit area to the wall of windows overlooking the bear enclosure with its pond and waterfalls, every detail has been carefully considered to offer an immersive and unforgettable experience.
Visitors can spend hours or even days exploring the center’s exhibits and videos, which offer an up-close and personal look at the behavior, ecology, and relations between black bears and humans.
The North American Bear Center is a passive attraction and a dynamic and interactive environment that encourages visitors to engage with the natural world.
Whether you’re watching the ambassador black bears play and forage in their 2.5-acre enclosure, crawling through the walk-through bear den in the Cub Room, or taking a casual stroll on the interpretive nature trails to learn about wild bear foods and animal sign, there’s something for everyone at this remarkable wildlife park.
The North American Bear Center is more than just a destination; it’s an educational and enlightening journey that will leave visitors with a newfound appreciation and respect for the natural world.
Dorothy Molter Museum
Nestled in the heart of the pristine wilderness of Ely, Minnesota, lies the Dorothy Molter Museum, a tribute to the legendary last non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
The museum is a shrine to the famous Root Beer Lady Dorothy Molter, who welcomed canoeists to her island home on Knife Lake and treated them to her world-famous homemade root beer.
The museum offers a glimpse into Dorothy’s extraordinary life and the rich history of the Boundary Waters, chronicling the early days of wilderness living, root beer making, and the journey to the Isle of Pines.
The museum boasts three of Dorothy’s original log cabins, carefully transported from the BWCAW piece-by-piece and reassembled to create an immersive experience for visitors. These rustic cabins are a testament to Dorothy’s simple yet self-sufficient lifestyle and provide a glimpse into what life was like for the iconic Root Beer Lady.
The cabins house various exhibits, including rare photographs, personal objects, memorabilia, and archives. In addition, visitors can explore the museum’s extensive collection of Dorothy’s guest journals from 1955 to 1986. While these journals cannot be publicly displayed due to their fragile condition, the museum offers color copies for visitors to use in its Interpretive Center.
The Dorothy Molter Museum is a treasure trove of history and a must-visit destination for those interested in the rich cultural heritage of the Boundary Waters. The museum is a testament to Dorothy Molter’s indomitable spirit and her love for the wilderness, and it offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of the BWCAW.
With limited public access to physical items, the museum is committed to preserving and sharing its collection with the public through various initiatives, including the Dorothy Molter Oral History Project and the Minnesota Digital Library.
Kawishiwi Falls Trail
The Kawishiwi Falls Trail is a hidden gem in Ely, Minnesota, perfect for those looking for a peaceful and relatively easy hike. The trailhead is easily accessible, located six miles east of Ely on Fernberg Road.
The trail itself is well-marked, with informative signs to guide visitors on their way to the waterfall. The one-mile hike takes visitors through a peaceful wooded area, over a narrow boardwalk, and past rocky terrain that offers a glimpse into the area’s geological history.
As you follow the winding path through the forest, the sounds of rushing water start to fill the air. As you approach the falls, the sound of the water grows louder and more intense, heightening your anticipation for what’s to come.
When you arrive at the waterfall, you’re greeted by the breathtaking sight of Kawishiwi Falls. The 70-foot waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff into the tranquil waters of Fall Lake. It’s an awe-inspiring sight that will leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.
The Kawishiwi Falls Trail is an excellent haven for hikers and nature lovers. As you make your way through the forest, keep an eye out for the local wildlife.
You might spot various animals, including deer, foxes, and even bears. The area is also rich in flora, with wildflowers and other vegetation lining the trail.
Burntside Lake
Nestled within the Vermillion drainage basin of St. Louis County, Minnesota, lies the tranquil beauty of Burntside Lake. This expansive lake spans nine miles in length and boasts a surface area of 7,314 acres. With no motor restrictions, Burntside Lake is a mecca for water sports enthusiasts who revel in the crystal-clear waters that offer up to 20 feet of visibility.
Rocky riprap shorelines and over 150 picturesque islands create a stunning backdrop for fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing. Burntside Lake’s largest 43-acre Island, Long Island, and its smaller islets have been designated a protected part of the Superior National Forest since 1998.
It is an important nesting ground for flocks of osprey and great blue heron, making Burntside Lake a wildlife lover’s paradise.
The fishing opportunities at Burntside Lake are unparalleled. The lake is renowned for its excellent trout and walleye fishing, but smallmouth species are also abundant. Northern pike, rainbow smelt, and rock bass are also present, as well as yellow perch.
For nearly a century, trout have been stocked here, with the practice dating back to 1912. Burntside Lake is also home to one of Minnesota’s largest populations of loons, offering a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience.
The natural surroundings of Burntside Lake provide visitors with an array of outdoor activities all year round. During the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking on the nearby trails, such as Bass Lake, Trezona, and Hidden Valley Trails.
In the winter, the lake is a wonderland for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. The Soudan Underground Mine, just a few minutes away, is a thrilling underground attraction, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the excitement of descending a 2,341-foot drop in a cage and a rail car ride along a seemingly ancient mine shaft.