Ely Outfitting Company Verified

Make just one trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and your life will be changed forever. This pristine 1M acre wilderness extends along 150 miles of the US/Canada border in Northern Minnesota. The region looks much the same as it did in the early 1900s when preservation efforts began. It’s 1,100 lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers and streams (water makes up 20% of the total area) makes it a one-of-a-kind destination for canoeing, hiking, camping and fishing.

The 1,200 miles of BWCAW canoe routes are historic travel ways of native peoples. You will step back in time traveling the historic routes of the native Sioux and Chippewa people, as well as early explorers, French Voyageurs, trappers, and prospectors. The BWCAW appears mostly untouched by human hands - there are no roads, signs, docks, cabins, or lodges. And motors are prohibited in the interior of the BWCAW.

Days consist of paddling tranquil lake after lake, portaging canoes between the lakes on historic routes traversed by early fur traders and shared with wildlife, and setting up camp in one of the 2000 backcountry campsites perched on the glacial lakes. If you are lucky, you may spot one of the resident moose or hear wolves howling at night as you tuck into your tent. One incredible call you have a good chance of hearing is the haunting song of the loon. These aquatic birds are an iconic symbol of the Boundary Waters (and the MN state bird), and their distinctive calls can be heard echoing across the lake in the early evening hours.

With thousands of miles of canoe and portage trails, the BWCA offers an adventure for all. Whether you desire a challenging trip over many miles paddling dozens of lakes and rivers and taking in scenic waterfalls, or a peaceful paddle to observe ancient pictographs, the BWCA has endless options.

The US Forest Service manages the BWCAW, and visitors must obtain an entry permit and follow certain rules and regulations.

A quota entry permit is required for overnight BWCAW trips from May 1 through September 30. The quota system limits how many groups can begin a trip at each of about 70 entry points each day. There are over 70 entry points to the BWCAW and the number of permits available for each entry point varies from only one permit per day to several dozen permits per day. Most entry points have around five to seven entry permits available per day.

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/Boundary-Waters-Canoe-Area-Wilderness-Reservations/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72600

We will help you with route planning so your trip fits your group's interests and expectations. We can also reserve your permit.

Advance entry permit reservations are strongly recommended because of the limited number of quota entry permits. Permits for summer 2018 are currently available on a first-come, first-served basis. The longer you wait to have us reserve your permit the more flexibility you may need to have for your preferred entry point or entry date.

Groups may only enter the BWCAW on the entry date and through the entry point specified on their entry permit. Permits may only be picked up the day before, or the day of, entry, by the trip leader or alternate trip leader designated on the reservation when it was originally made. One permit is valid for a group of up to nine people with up to four watercraft. Permits are not transferable.

Call us at 218-343-7951 for information on permit availability, and we will reserve your entry permit. You can also check permit availability and reserve entry permits at www.recreation.gov.

Non-quota self-issued permits are free and required year-round for day use BWCAW visitors not camping in the Wilderness, and for all overnight visitors entering the BWCAW between October 1 and April 30.

Permit Fees
BWCAW user fees per person per trip:

Adult: $16
Youth (0-17): $8
Interagency Senior/Access Card Holders: $8
In addition, a nonrefundable USFS permit reservation fee of $10 per permit is required, and we charge a nonrefundable $10 permit acquisition fee for each permit we reserve.

Rules and Regulations
To preserve the wilderness, visitors to the BWCAW must follow certain regulations.

Keep in mind that cans and glass bottles are not allowed in the BWCAW. Containers of fuel, insect repellent, medicines, personal toilet articles, and other items that are not foods or beverages are the only cans and bottles you may keep in their original containers.

Also, no more than 9 people and four watercraft are allowed to congregate together in the BWCAW at any time.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5127832.pdf

If your trip starts and ends at the same place:
It is typical to cartop your canoe using our free tie-down supplies. However, if you prefer, we can shuttle you and your canoes and camping equipment to and from your BWCA entry point. Depending on the distance, an additional cost may apply.

If your trip ends at a different place than you started, you have two options.
1) We can shuttle you to your entry point and then pick you up at the exit point at a predetermined time when your trip ends. Your entry and exit points will determine whether additional fees apply.

2) You can do a "chase shuttle." With a chase shuttle, you follow our shuttle vehicle to your exit point and leave your vehicle there with the equipment to tie canoes on top of it. We then shuttle you to your entry point. A chase shuttle allows you more flexibility because you do not have to meet a pickup shuttle at a specific predetermined meeting time. An additional fee may apply.

Shuttle Pricing by Entry Point

Entry Point Entry point name Cost
4   Crab Lake (Burntside Lake drop-off) Free
6   Slim Lake Free
9/14 Little Indian Sioux River, N. or S. $60
12   Little Vermilion Lake (via Crane Lake drop-off) $125
16   Moose R./Portage River N. $55
19   Stuart River $50
20   Angleworm Free
22/23 Mudro Lake Free
24   Fall Lake Free
25   Moose Lake Free
26   Wood Lake Free
27   Snowbank Lake Free
29   Kawishiwi River North Free
30   Lake One Free
31   Farm Lake Free
32   South Kawishiwi Free
33   Little Gabbro Lake Free
34   Island River $55
35   Isabella Lake $60
38   Kawishiwi Lake $160
75   Little Isabella River $40
77   S. Hegman Lake Free
84   Snake River $45

The summer months between May and September are the most popular, but the BWCA is visited year round. Our favorite time in the Boundary Waters is late August and early September. The mosquitos that are in full force in the peak summer months have typically eased off by late August. The days are usually still warm enough to enjoy a swim in the pure water.

Yes, detailed waterproof navigational maps are included in the complete outfitting package.

Complete Outfitting includes:

Expert trip planning and routing advice
Thorough pre-trip orientation at our shop. We review your outfitting, show you how to use everything, answer your questions, and do a complete route-out sharing our favorite campsites, fishing hotspots, and points of interest. We also share advice on navigation, safety, leave-no-trace ethics, and how to get the most from your trip.
Ultra-lightweight Kevlar canoes with comfy portage pads
Premium bent shaft paddles
Life vests
Detailed waterproof navigation maps of your route (One free set per group. Yes, take these home with you!)
Navigation compass with lanyard
Deluxe camping food – Our guests rave about the menu. You’ll find signature local items made in Ely as well as Ely’s own gourmet coffee. We even pack snacks, s’mores, and optional individual packets of tartar sauce, lemon juice, and malt vinegar for your lakeside fish fry. With advance notice, we gladly accommodate dietary restrictions. Our food packages comply with BWCAW rules prohibiting metal cans and glass bottles. A great trip deserves great food!
Color-coded food packing system
Specialized food pack, with a waterproof liner
Specialized portage packs (for camping equipment, clothing, and personal items), with waterproof liners
Nylon stuff sacks to stow clothes in your portage pack
Ultralight backcountry tents (in sizes rated for 1, 2, or 4 people)
Quality lightweight coated nylon 10′ x 12′ rain tarp (ie, dining canopy) with attached rope
Comfy, freshly laundered sleeping bags rated to 20 degrees F
Self-inflating full-length sleeping pad
Therm-A-Rest pack pillow
Nesting cooking pots
Deluxe fry pan griddle
Specialized pot and griddle gripper handle
Trail coffee press
Plates, bowls, and cups
Specialized Northwoods utensil bag designed to tie on a tree trunk for off-the-ground drying and storage
Utensils including forks, spoons, knives, serving spoon, ladle, and spatula
Water filter
Souvenir personal water bottle for each participant (Yes, take these home with you!)
Camp stove with pressurized fuel
Crazy Creek camp chairs that also work for canoeing back support
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Folding bucket (for doing dishes and dousing your campfire)
Dish-cleaning kit, including biodegradable soap, sponge, abrasive cleaning pad (SOS pad), and non-scratch pot scraper
Matches and lighter
Bear rope system for hanging food
50′ of utility cord (handy for a clothesline, extra guyline, securing a canoe, etc.)
Trail saw
Compact trail hammock
Slap straps for safe, simple and tree-friendly hanging of hammock
Small roll of duct tape
Cook grate and trowel (Quetico only. BWCAW campsites have iron grates and latrines.)
Shuttles to many Ely area entry points
Hot showers on your return
Superior service every step of the way