“Untouched & Serene”…… These words are often used to describe Northern Minnesota. It’s what draws folks “Up North” and the crew of Low Impact Excavators is serious about keeping it that way. With over 31 years experience with heavy equipment, John Wavrin knows the damage excavating does to the land. He also knows it’s necessary when building a road, installing a septic system or even building a house. That’s why at Low Impact Excavators, John and his crew, leave “small footprints” removing only what is necessary-leaving the job site naturally landscaped, as close to original as possible.
Happy Days is a family cooperative preschool, created more than 40 years ago by a group of parents who realized the importance of early childhood education in the community. We are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Joe’s Marine is a full service marine maintenance and repair facility.
Joe’s Marine & Repair has been family operated since 1974. Joe Gilbert had a vision for the need of a repair shop in the Ely area. He purchased Nordstrom’s Blacksmith Shop on the west end of town and transformed it into a repair shop.
In the beginning the shop was run by Joe, his daughters Sherry and Cathy and his son Kevin. Soon after the business grew Cathy’s husband Rico joined the business. In the early 80’s Kevin came back full time and his wife Paulette came on board. In the mid 80’s Joe’s wife Nancy became the bookkeeper. When Nancy retired Cathy took over the bookkeeping duties. Joe even had his grandchildren Jason, Tony and Jenni working in the shop.
Over the years we have had many wonderful employees helping make Joe’s Marine what it is today.
The Paddle Inn Motel in Ely, Minnesota! Open Year Round and Just Seconds Away From The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), located on the East end of town in beautiful Ely, MN.
Dee’s is a vintage bar & lounge in the heart of the downtown shopping area.
R & R Transfer is a moving and storage service in Ely, Minnesota. Securely store your boats & vehicles for a season or year round.
For several years, a group of local mountain bike enthusiasts have known that Ely, has held a unique opportunity to be a mountain bike destination.
The varied topography and geology, combined with mostly well drained soil, is an exceptional combination in the region. This combination along with the natural beauty of the northern landscape, sets the stage for a phenomenal mountain biking system.
Hidden Valley, already a hub for recreational activities year round, is an excellent site to develop a mountain bike trail system. In addition to the aforementioned physical terrain attributes; infrastructure such as parking area, chalet, and restrooms are key pieces for a successful venue that are all ready in place.
The overall project consists of approximately 9.1 miles of trails. The proposed trail system would be designed and purpose built for mountain biking and fat tire biking in the winter. All trails will be single track and directional. Single track trails are defined as low impact, sustainable trails having a finished tread width between 24 and 48″ and a corridor clearing no greater than 6′.
The completed trail system will consist of 6 loops ranging from beginner to advanced, one of which is a progressive skills loop for riders to practice and hone bike handling skills. The loops will be constructed in a “snowman” formation, with easier loops closer to the trailhead and more difficult loops further away.
The 9.1 mile system contains 6 individual loops for summer mountain biking and winter fat biking. The progressive skills loop is loop #1 located on the far left side of the map. Note: All intersections generally coincide with ski trail intersections on hilltops to avoid high speed collisions between fat bikers and skiers during the winter.
Nestled on the shores of Shagawa Lake in Ely, Minnesota, Lady Bug Lodge Resort is ready to make your vacation vision a reality. Whether you are searching for a peaceful getaway or an exhilarating fishing adventure, allow us to fulfill your dream. We have over 18 years of experience in the resort/marina business.
Fenske Lake Resort Cabins is a secluded, peaceful vacation resort near Ely, MN just off the Echo Trail with true Northwoods charm – a perfect place for your vacation. Knotty pine cabins right on the water’s edge are surrounded by woods, wildlife, and nature.
You’re at the start of a nearly boundless adventure at the edge of the BWCA. At our three-season resort, you can sample good fishing on Fenske Lake or plan a wilderness day trip into adjoining canoe-only wilderness lakes where wildlife sightings are common. Savor quiet evenings by your campfire listening to the haunting call of the loons. Hiking trails, mountain biking, and several museums and unique shopping abound nearby, making this your perfect vacation getaway.
Contact us today to schedule your vacation in the Northwoods.
Sustainable Ely is the home of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota.
Visit Sustainable Ely when you are in Ely to learn more about the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, the risk posed to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining and talk about your trip to the Boundary Waters. Our Ely staff and volunteers are ready and willing to help.
The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters and Sustainable Ely are projects of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness.
