Portage North, formerly Kondos Outdoors was born in Ely in 1980 out of a need from outfitters requiring gear that could withstand the rigors of being on trail all season long. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination of crafting the best gear, Dan and Vicki Kondos started Kondos Outdoors. For 35 years, Kondos developed the gear we all have come to love and depend on for making our wilderness experiences successful.
In 2015, I took on the task of carrying that legacy forward. I grew up venturing into the Boundary Waters from the age of three and spent much of my formative years exploring the Ely wilderness. In 2017, I married my wife, Corissa, who had been guiding BWCA trips for seven years and is the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp since 2015. We enjoy being able to take our personal experiences and knowledge and incorporatethat into how we design and build products for Portage North and share the wilderness experience with others.
By bringing in state of the art cutting and sewing equipment, implementing continuous improvement philosophies, researching the best materials, and having a 1.4 million acre test lab to vet our products, we strive to craft for you the toughest gear that will last you and the next generation a lifetime.
From our families to yours,
Michael and Corissa Larson
Shop online for: Packs, Camp Kitchens, Camp Organization, Canoe Gear, Tarps & Tents, Totes, and Commuter packs & bags.
Ely may be the Canoe Capitol of the World but it also has the world’s finest sausages!
Zup’s was founded on family tradition, the spirit still lives within the organization. The friendly greetings, the welcoming smiles and always an extended hand of help. The Zup’s family would like to invite you to join us, shop a bit, try a few new items, we are sure you will be delighted with what you find and taste.
“We, at Zup’s, have no doubt you will be completely satisfied, and all of our products are unconditionally guaranteed”
The Dorothy Molter Museum is a seasonally operating, historic museum focusing on the life and legacy of Ely Area icon, Dorothy Molter.
Click Here to View Visitation Updates and Temporary Hours of Operation
Through tours of Dorothy’s original cabins, self-guided exploration of our outdoor, natural areas, community programming and a wide selection of mission-driven retail merchandise (including our own Isle of Pines Root Beer), visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history.
With the uncertainty of future public health initiatives and guidelines, the operation of the Museum will be significantly different this season. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.
The Dorothy Molter Museum preserves and interprets Northwoods wilderness heritage through learning opportunities inspired by Dorothy Molter, the last non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
As a private, non-profit organization representing part of the unique and rich history of northeastern Minnesota, the Dorothy Molter Museum strives to not only honor the legacy of its namesake but also, be an active and positive member of the Ely Area community and family of Minnesota museums.
Through tours in three of Dorothy’s original cabins, self-guided exploration of our outdoor, natural areas, community events, public programs, and a wide selection of mission-driven retail merchandise (including our own Isle of Pines Root Beer), visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history.
Famous for our quality LIVE bait. Large selection of bait, tackle, licenses, hunting, camping gear. Since 1970, conveniently located in Ely’s East end. Open year round.
Portage North and Sundog Sport, formerly Kondos Outdoors, was born in Ely, in 1980 out of a need of the outfitters to have gear that could withstand the rigors of being on trail all season long. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination to craft the best gear, began the course for the next 40 years.
I grew up venturing into the Boundary Waters from age three and spent much of my formative years exploring the Ely wilderness. In 2017, I married my wife, Corissa, who had been guiding BWCA trips for seven years and has been the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp since 2015. We enjoy being able to take our personal experiences and knowledge and incorporate that into how we design and build products for Sundog Sport.
By bringing in state-of-the-art cutting and sewing equipment, implementing continuous improvement philosophies, researching the best materials, and having a 1.4 million acre test lab to vet our products, we strive to craft for you the toughest gear that will last you and the next generation a lifetime.
Sweet Fern Soap Company created products are long lasting, consumable made with high quality ingredients, in small batches and proudly made in Ely, Minnesota. Our products are inspired by the Northwoods of northern Minnesota and from travels around the world.
Mike’s Drive In Liquor in Ely is home to numerous varieties of beers brewed at microbreweries across the country along with wines from around the globe.
Piragis Northwoods Company has, over it’s four decades in business, become a sort of home away from home for lots of people on the way to their Boundary Waters Canoe trips. The Piragis Northwoods Company strives to be the paddlers’ best friends up north with our award-winning outfitter operations.
In addition to outfitting our retail store ensures we have the “right stuff” in stock and our online catalog covers everything we can’t keep on the shelves https://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/.
Welcome to Ely Outdoors Company in Ely Minnesota! Your gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Superior National Forest.
We are a family operated business that is passionate about the BWCAW, Quetico Park, and the Ely, MN area. Our desire to create customized canoe adventures makes every canoe trip very unique.
We offer a variety of specialized canoe trips that will match your expectations, skill level, and time available for a canoe trip. Feel free to give us a call and learn more about our services and our dedication to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
More than 85 years ago, the National Automotive Parts Association (“NAPA”) was created to meet America’s growing need for an effective auto parts distribution system. Today, 91% of do-it-yourself customers recognize the NAPA brand name.
