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City in Minnesota, United States
Photo: ShakataGaNai, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ely is a town of 3,400 people (2019) in Northeastern Minnesota. Ely is best known as a popular entry point for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the International Wolf Center, and the North American Bear Center.
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(TTY relay service dial 711). Summer schedule from mid-May through mid-October open daily (hours vary). Winter schedule from mid-October through mid-May open weekends only. $15-9 (kids under age 3 free).
Summer schedule from May-Nov daily (hours vary). Winter schedule from Dec-May open Saturdays only except by appointment. $8.50-4.50 (kids under age 3 free).
Pioneer Mine
Retired iron ore mine with tours operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Descend half a mile below the surface on an elevator to the 27th level of the mine, where the tour begins. See how ore was produced and how the miners worked.
Just north of Ely tells about the life of the Root Beer Lady. Here you can learn about how she lived in solitude on Knife Lake, and how she made and sold root beer.
Girl Scouts
Girls over age 12 can participate in backcountry wilderness expeditions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada.
Boy Scouts
Older scouts come for week-long adventures into the backcountry wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. Winter adventures train participants in dog-sledding, cross-country skiing, and extreme cold weather survival skills.
A unique spin on traditional dishes. Ingredients include fresh meats, vegetables, and fruits. Daily pasta and pizza specials. Burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas. Gourmet dinner specials. Famous pie baked fresh daily, in many flavors, and other great, tasty desserts!
And the usual utility things: For groceries, there is Zup's right in the middle of town.
Every kind of gear, equipment, maps, clothing, gifts and more. You can shop in town or online. There's also an outlet store a block away on Sheridan Street, featuring end-of-season discounts, "experienced" equipment, etc. You can even get a shower there when you come off the trail!
Photo gallery by Jim Brandenburg, renowned National Geographic photographer who lives in Ely, and whose work includes lush views of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.
Chris Perry Gallery features photography of the Ely area and Boundary Waters by local photographer Chris Perry. Find fine art prints of the northern lights, Minnesota landscapes and all of the treasures of the north woods!
Plan to spend some time getting to Ely. They don't call it the "End of the Road" for nothing! If you take a commercial flight to Minnesota, plan to rent a car to get to Ely.
Read in the guidePrimary highways are wide and well-maintained summer and winter, but secondary county roads in the vicinity of Ely are often narrow, hilly, and have a gravel or dirt surface.
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