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 DQ® Grill & Chill is open for business daily.
We have a drive-thru, along with mobile ordering using the Dairy Queen® mobile app to get exclusive deals and curbside pickup.
Thank you for your continued support.
Our business remains committed to our everyday cleaning and sanitation practices. The health and well being of our fans and crew members is our top priority.
We put Remote Within Reach for you! You will encounter an active outdoor experience on the edge of the wilderness. We provide this experience from our exceptional location on Snowbank Lake located on the edge of the world famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) near Ely, Minnesota.
We provide northern Minnesota quality fishing, ice fishing, outfitting, dog sledding, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities make your time on the edge of the wilderness remarkably unforgettable. We put remote within reach by providing an accessible and affordable destination on the brink of America’s true wilderness.
Our promise to you is simple: we will not leave a mint on your pillow, make swans from bath towels, nor provide a hot yoga room. We will, however, provide clean cabins, a responsive staff, quality equipment, and an abundance of spectacular Northern Minnesota outdoor adventures putting remote within reach for you.
The Boathouse Brewpub is a place to gather with friends and enjoy great food and drinks. We brew a variety of beers in our in-house brewery and offer “to-go” beer growlers in glass and plastic (BWCA Approved).
Restaurant Hours: 11am-10pm
Tavern Hours: 11am-11pm
Growler Hours: 11am-10pm
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Photos by Chris Ellerbroek
If you are looking to build your dream home or just simply a deck, you have come to the right site.
We at Code Plus Construction build quality custom homes, lake cabins, additions, garages, remodeling and fine woodworking in our cabinet shop. We are also GREEN BUILT CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS We work closely with EPS-sips panel construction for extremely energy efficient homes. We are also Energy Star partners.
Code Plus Construction is a young, energetic company with 30 years of building experience. Our quality and craftsmanship is second to none.
Insula restaurant features American fare with a twist served in a cool setting with industrial accents & a sizable bar.
Owned and run by Executive Chef Daniel Vollom and Sarah Wigdahl-Vollom, Insula has captured the imagination and enlivened the tastebuds of the eating scene in Ely, Minnesota.
Starting a business can be overwhelming to say the least. The Social Loon Co. is here to help with the little things such as social media posting and advertising. Creating meaningful ads can be very time consuming. We take over your businesses Instagram account with your input to create social media ads that represent your product and vision.
Contact us, and together, we will reach your company’s goals.
We come from hundreds of ethnic and language backgrounds, yet we are united by common goals. Above all, we want to honor Jehovah, the God of the Bible and the Creator of all things. We do our best to imitate Jesus Christ and are proud to be called Christians.
Each of us regularly spends time helping people learn about the Bible and God’s Kingdom. Because we witness, or talk, about Jehovah God and his Kingdom, we are known as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Gnarly Varulfr is Ely’s gnarliest leisure shop featuring skateboards, skate gear, incense, clothes, shades, hats, bags, an art gallery, vinyl, camp gear, and more. Stop in an learn about the Legend of Gnarly Varulfr!
Kawishiwi Lodge & Lake On-Ely Outfitters in Ely, MN provides easy on-site BWCA canoe renting, canoe outfitting, and lodging for those who want a truly peaceful wilderness experience that avoids the hassle of renting in town.
We invite you to join us for your next Boundary Waters canoe vacation – our tranquil setting, customized BWCA canoe outfitting packages, personalized service (from Frank, Jake & Brent), and competitive outfitting rates will become part of an unsurpassable Boundary Waters vacation experience. We regularly hear from our guests that we are the best Ely-area outfitters and provide the best BWCA canoe trips, best wilderness experience, or even the best vacation they’ve ever had! Many of them return again and again
