Boundary Waters Canoe Rentals & Outfitting

Ely Boundary Waters Canoe Trip Outfitting & Rentals

Experience the solitude and beauty of the Boundary Waters with our full-service canoe rentals and outfitting. Just four hours away from Minneapolis, Boundary Waters Canoeing Area is one of the best nature getaway destinations. See the sunsets, the pan-fried walleye, and the sandy beaches. Ely’s lakes and rivers are perfect for the fishers, the birders, the seekers of solitude, dedicated paddlers, and wilderness enthusiasts.

Our team is always happy to share where the good campsites are, what the portages are like, where you can expect to catch fish, and points of interest – like waterfalls and Native American pictographs. Whether you choose complete outfitting, partial outfitting or just a canoe rental, we have everything you need to have an incredible trip in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park.

First time visiting the Boundary Waters? Check out our Boundary Waters for Beginners Guide for everything you need to know.

Canoe Rentals & Partial Outfitting

Many folks just want to rent a great, lightweight Kevlar canoe for their Quetico or Boundary Waters canoe trip. These lightweight Kevlar canoes average about 42 pounds. If you need a few other pieces of gear to supplement your kit, they’ve got that too.

Canoe Rental Options:

• Solo Canoe
• 2-Person Canoe
• 3-Person Canoe
• 4-Person Canoe

Equipment and Gear for Rent

Packs

• Portage Packs (Granite Gear Superior One and Quetico Packs)
• Food Packs (CCS Deluxe and Solo Food Packs)
• Waterproof Food Barrels (60L & 30L Barrels with Granite Gear & CCS Harnesses)

Tents & Tarps

• 1-2 Person Tents (NEMO, Big Agnes)
• 3 Person Tents (NEMO, Big Agnes)
• 4 Person Tents (Big Agnes)
• 6 Person Tents (Big Agnes)
• Ultralight Tarps ((CCS 1.1 oz. Silnylon 10’x14’ & 15’x15’)
• NEMO Bug Out Tarp - 12x12 with screens

Sleep Systems

• Sleeping Bags
• Sleeping Pads
• Pillows

Camp Kitchen

• Sleeping Bags (Big Agnes & NEMO)
• Double Burner Camp Stove w/ Fuel
• Cook Kit w/ Utensils – (Any combination of pots, pans, griddles, forks, spoons, knives, measuring cups, spatula, serving spoon, camp sink.)
• Food Hanging System

Satellite Communications

• Satellite Phones (talk only)
• SPOT-X (text only)

Miscellaneous Camp Essentials

• Helinox Camp Chair/Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair
• Helinox Cop One
• Packable Camp Table
• Pack Saw

Complete Outfitting Package

Have the best gear for your Quetico or Boundary Waters canoe trip and take the worry away from trip preparation. With complete trip outfitting, we do all the packing and you get the finest food and equipment at one package price!

Duration

At checkout, you can specify the dates of your trip. Rentals are charged by the day.

Location of Rental Pickup

105 N. Central Ave Ely, MN 55731

What's Included

Canoe rentals and partial outfitting are a la carte. Full outfitting includes everything you need for your BWCA canoe trip:

• Ultra-light Kevlar canoes
• Top-notch gear designed for canoe camping – NEMO, Big Agnes, Cooke Custom Sewing, Granite Gear, and more
• Delicious camp food with a customizable menu made by you
• Expert trip planning and routing advice
• Hot Shower when you return
• One set of maps for the group.
• Each person gets a 32oz Nalgene bottle to take home.
• Each person gets a 15oz insulated GSI camp cup to take home.

Not Included

The following items are not included in full outfitting packages, but are available for rent:

• Satellite Phone or Spot-X
• BugOut Tarp (recommended during bug season)
• Helinox Camp Chair or Cot
• Camp Table

What to Bring / Wear

With full outfitting, all you need to bring is your personal items. We recommend:

• Clothing: Pants, shirts, shorts, wool socks, rain gear, warm clothes
• Footwear: Wet boots & dry boots
• Accessories: Camp gloves, hat, small hand towel, sunglasses with retention device
• Toiletries, prescription medications, sunscreen, lip balm, & bug spray
• Dry bag for your clothes
• Maps, map case, & compass
• First aid kit, multi-tool, water filter, lighters, extra rope
• Fishing rod and tackle, filet knife
• Camera, binoculars, books, field guides, journal, playing cards

FAQ

What's the first thing I need to do to get my canoe trip going? A canoe trip starts with reserving a permit for a specific entry point on a specific date.

I don't quite have all the details lined up. How can I start and can you help with permits? It is okay if you don't know all the details of your trip yet. To get started, fill out the reservation form and we will get in touch with you to start working out the details, including permit reservations. We are here to help get you set up for a successful adventure!

Which entry points do you recommend? The closest entry points to the Ely area are:

• #4 – Crab Lake
• #22 – Mudro Lake
• #24 – Fall Lake
• #25 – Moose Lake
• #30 – Lake One

If I'm not renting a canoe, do I need to license my own canoe? If you live in MN or another state that requires a license, you must have a current license on your canoe while paddling in MN. If you are from a state that does not require your canoe to be licensed, it does NOT need to be licensed in MN. You will need to show an ID that confirms you are a resident of a state that doesn't require a license.

Can I get maps ahead of time? You can order maps online, but we can also add the maps to your outfitting service.

What are the outfitting hours? From mid-May until mid-September, outfitting is open from 6 am until 8 pm. During the early and later part of the season, we open at 7 am. Keep in mind that we are available for rentals until the lakes are frozen.

What are the average temperatures in Ely? June through August commonly see highs in the 70's and lows in the high 40's to low 50's, with 3-4" of average rainfall.

What kind of animals might I see or hear? Some of the bigger animals we have are moose, wolves, deer, and black bears. A few other creatures we have are, but not limited to, beavers, otters, muskrats, pine martens, fishers, red squirrels, chipmunks, and turtles.

Do I need a BWCA permit for a day trip? You need a permit any time you are in the Boundary Waters. For day trips, you can fill out a self-issue permit located at each entry point. One part of the permit goes into a box and the other stays with you during the day.

What is the best time for fall colors? Usually, the best colors are mid-September through early October.

Will my cell phone work in BWCA & Quetico? Do not count on your cell phone working while in the wilderness. Sometimes you can get lucky, but the best way is to have a satellite communication device with you.

When is blueberry season? The middle of July is usually a good time for blueberries.

When is blackfly season? Generally, this is in the latter part of May until the end of June.

Is the water clean enough to drink? The lakes of the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park are among the cleanest in the world. You can drink it right out of the lake. Paddle along and dip your cup. However, never drink it from the shoreline or where there is any current. Currents and wave action stir up sediments with potential parasites. Drink only when the water is deeper than 6 feet in clear open lakes. If you need water at camp from shore always filter it. Never drink from streams. We highly recommend the Katadyn Base Camp Micro Filters for clean clear water while in camp.

How do I cook if there is a fire ban in the area? You would need to bring a stove that uses fuel, such as canisters or white gas.

Can I transport one or two canoes on my vehicle? Yes, no problem at all. We can create a rack for two canoes by using 2x2s, foam blocks, and straps.

Can we bring a dog? Yes, dogs are allowed. It is a good idea to bring a copy of the dog’s rabies certificate with you. Also, the dog should be well-behaved. It should not run after other people, wildlife, or bark. Remember, there are other people who are looking for the quiet and solitude out there and you don’t want to ruin it for others with an ill-behaved pooch.

What is the difference between Boundary Waters and Quetico?

Boundary Waters:

• There is a per-person user fee per trip (not per night).
• Permits = First come, first served for all entry points begins on January 30th, 2019.
• Must camp at designated campsites
• Each site has a Forest Service steel fire grate
• Each site has a latrine in the woods
• Maximum of 9 people and 4 canoes
• Canoes/kayaks must be registered

Quetico

• There is a per person per night fee
• Permits can be reserved 5 months in advance
• Camp anywhere, use Leave No Trace practices
• No live bait
• You can only use barbless hooks (ok to pinch the hooks that you have now
• There are no fire grates or latrines
• Maximum of 9 people
• RABC permit needed for entry, call for details about this
• No firearms allowed