Spirit of the Wilderness is a family owned business. Steve, Kathy and Ginny offer you the expertise and enthusiasm that comes with over 30 years of canoeing and outfitting in the BWCA and Quetico. Our reputation, quality equipment, and educational approach to outfitting are some of the reasons people give for booking our services. We’ve introduced many folks to their first taste of the Northwoods – and watched as they develop skills to go it alone – but they keep using our services, year after year. We invite you to explore the BWCA or Quetico and allow Spirit of the Wilderness to outfit your needs. Visit our website for more information on Canoe Rentals, Guided Trips, Live Bait, Tackle & Gear.

With over 100 years of combined experience in the Lumber Industry, serving not only the Ely area but also Illinois, Central and Southern Minnesota, the staff at Voyageur Lumber has just about seen it all. This combination of experience and adaptability is Vital in an ever changing Industry and an ever changing world. So, whether you’re looking to build your dream Rustic Getaway or an Energy Efficient Green Building, you can count on Voyageur Lumber to answer your questions and provide you with the materials and service you need. Free estimating Help in product selection Helpful displays Delivery Helpful employees to help load your vehicle and secure the load Help in finding local contractors and other sub contractors Helpful local information

Canadian Waters is ideally located in Ely, MN to take advantage of all BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park canoe trip entry points. Select one of the canoe trips from our many alternative canoe trip routes in the Boundary Waters and Quetico. We include free transportation with all of our complete canoe outfitting and fly-in canoe trip packages.

Kekekabic Studios has extensive experience in Art Glass Creation and Restoration. Rosemary Shepherd and John Bowe are craftspeople living and working in Ely, Minnesota. Stained glass creation, restoration, and fine woodworking have been their life’s passions. They learned their craft through traditional studio apprenticeships and hands-on training. They have done work all over the country and have been fortunate to have restored some very significant windows. Some examples that stand out are “The Gift of the Magi” by Maitland Armstrong, Faith Chapel, Jekyll Island, Georgia, and The Fox Memorial Window, by Louis C. Tiffany, Kelsey Museum, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kekekabic Studios is the culmination of their 30+ years in the stained glass business. Their love of the wilderness brought them from Michigan to northeastern Minnesota, where they have relocated and set up their showroom and workshop on Chapman Street in beautiful downtown Ely, Minnesota. When they aren’t busy in their workshop, you will find them exploring this extraordinary place: hiking, camping, and occasionally paddling out to their favorite, Kekekabic Lake (and the namesake of the business), in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Northern Expressions is a combination ice cream parlor and gift shop in downtown Ely. Try to choose from among the many flavors in the freezer case and then go for a homemade waffle cone, or skip the cone part altogether and opt for a highly rated root beer float. A local favorite.

The North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Dedicated to replacing old myths with facts, it lets people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. Great things await you inside! Whether you visit us in Ely or here on our website, we hope your time with us gives you a better understanding of the world of black bears. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies entirely on the support of visitors, merchandise sales and people like you. We do not receive any state or federal funding. Help support our mission.

The mission of the Ely Area Food Shelf is to provide a resource for people living in Ely, Minnesota, and the surrounding communities who have run out of options to alleviate hunger. The food shelf is located at 15 West Conan Street and is open on the third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. People who need assistance can shop between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Home delivery is available for people who are homebound and have no other options for receiving food, such as having a friend or relative shop for them. A volunteer will call to help you “shop by phone” and your food will be delivered. Call (218) 235-8527 to register for this program. Emergency assistance is available during the month by calling (218) 235-8527.

We are enablers of nostalgia. Whether your pastime is downhill sledding, family time at the cabin, winter camping, ice fishing, or doing traditional work on the land, we craft the finest toboggan sleds still available. Our designs reflect the time-tested traditions of the first people in Northern Canada. Following processes handed down to our craftsman from his mentor, who was taught from his mentor before him, the 150+ techniques we embrace consistently produce sleds that last generations. Our sleds are hand-crafted, and our design reflects the time-tested traditions of the first people in Northern Canada. Our sleds have endured the punishment of daily use in the northern wilderness by those who choose to create their own trails. Don’t settle for less than the best. Own an heirloom, and start your own enduring traditions.

Since 1973 Henry’s Shoe Repair has been supplying hand-made quality outdoor gear for Loggers, Trappers, Mushers and Miners that stands up to the rigors of outdoor work and lasts for years, not just a season! All products are guarantee to be the most durable, practical, finest quality available. We specialize in: Moosehide Chopper Mittens Work Gloves Copper Riveted Moosehide Belts Custom made Kilt Belts Handmade Leather Wallets and Checkbook Covers Custom Dog Collars   Open Weekends, some Holidays and by Appointment