Bear Island Boats builds and sells handmade wood strip canoes that are functional works of art to honor the heritage of traditional boat building. Our functional works of art are made available to nonprofits at cost to serve as a funding model to support their organizations’ mission.
Surrounded by the Superior National Forest and easy walking or paddling distance to the famed Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, we are the most remote drive-in resort in northern Minnesota.
Here you’re sure to enjoy the near-by hiking trails, kayaking, paddle boating, canoeing, FISHING, or just sitting lakeside and taking in the view. We welcome your 4-legged friends as well.
Visit our website for more!
Ely Community Resource…helping make Ely a great place to grow up!
Our mission is to foster positive youth development through activities designed to increase self-esteem, build a sense of community, and provide positive adult relationships that allow effective interventions.
Women’s Wilderness Discovery provides year-round, fully-outfitted and guided Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) canoe camping, hike camping, day canoe & kayak treks, day hikes, and “warm tent” winter camping and/or quinzhee (build a snow hut) camping by snowshoe or ski trek, and day snowshoe hikes or cross-country ski treks especially for women.
We provide a safe, positive model for women and girls to enrich their lives through the wilderness experience and outdoor adventure. A fully outfitted/guided wilderness experience emphasizing teamwork can build confidence, strengthen courage, and cultivate leadership qualities in women and girls. Teaching respect for the land and the gear used in wilderness travel is inherent to the wilderness ethic “Leave No Trace.”
Let’s start with a proper introduction. We’re the Ott family – Gene, Jane, Nick (son) and Danielle, (daughter in law) and we acquired the property in 2000. Originally from Northeast Iowa, we had been scout leaders and Boundary Waters Minnesota camping enthusiasts for several years when the opportunity arose to make a lifestyle change that simply delighted us. Since that time, we have built an outfitting service that, we believe, is one of the best in the area. In addition to outfitting services, we have authentic log cabins, right on Fall Lake for non-campers to experience great fishing and conveniently explore the Ely area.
Our cabins and lodge (with bunkhouse) have an amazing history. The cabins were originally built and located up on Pipestone Bay on Basswood Lake. When Congress declared “The Wilderness Act of 1964, all buildings needed to be either moved or burnt to the ground, restoring the natural wilderness. Shortly after, each log was labeled, deconstructed, floated up through Newton Lake to Fall Lake and put back together, like a complex jigsaw puzzle. Can you imagine the planning and the work to accomplish this?
We’re honored by every guest that chooses Packsack and promise to make every effort to build a wilderness experience that best matches your wishes.
Timber Trail Lodge located on a chain of four interconnected lakes with direct access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Timber Trail Lodge offers both deluxe and economy priced cabins, excellent fishing, 11,000 acres of water to explore, a natural sand beach, children’s activities, and Boundary Waters Canoeing Adventures all within easy access to the many recreational activities offered in Ely, Minnesota. When considering a Minnesota Resort vacation we hope you will consider Timber Trail Lodge and Boundary Waters Outfitters.
