Visit Ely, MN

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Visit Ely, MN Find your adventure in Ely! 🛶 BWCAW, Superior National Forest, and more 🌲 Ely is calling! (about 3000 animals).

Ely, Minnesota is the entry point to the world's premier lakeland wilderness area and is considered to be the "Canoe Capital of the World." National Geographic designated the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as one of the world's "Top 50" scenic places that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. The BWCAW is the largest wilderness preserve east of the Rockies and the nation's

most popular one. Ely is surrounded by 2 million acres of national forest and protected wilderness. Over 500 lakes lie within 20 miles of Ely and the adjoining forest system includes over 2000 lakes. These lakes offer some of the world's best smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and lake trout fishing and have produced many records. The Ely area's recreational resources include over 100 miles of hiking & ski trails, 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 1500 miles of canoe routes and two golf courses. Ely-area wildlife includes bald-eagles, moose, black bear, deer, beaver, otter and the largest timber wolf population in the continental U.S. Ely is home to the International Wolf Center, a world-class research and education enclosure where visitors can observe both timber wolves and arctic wolves; and the North American Bear Center, an educational facility dedicated to replacing old myths with facts about bears. Ely Quick Facts:
- Ely is the Canoe Capital of the World.
- The watershed runs all the way to Hudson Bay.
- At one time there were 11 operating mines in Ely.
- Ely has the oldest outcropping of Greenstone in the world. The structure is characteristic of lava that solidified under water and is estimated to be 2.7 billion years old.
- 60% of the iron ore used in WWII Military efforts was produced on the Iron Range.
- Over 800,000 tons of iron came out of Ely's mines in 1889.
- In 1917 Ely had 52 liquor licenses at $1,000 a piece (hard and thirsty workers!)
- The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the largest wilderness preserve east of the Rocky Mountains.
- The Tower/Soudan Underground Mine was the first underground mine in Minnesota and the deepest.
- Ely's Bob Cary ran for President of the United States in 1980 under the Independent Fishing Party.
- Ely is home of the International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center and Dorothy Molter Museum.
- The first snowmobile club in the USA is the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club.

Lineup for Wednesday, March 12th 🎞3 PM | In the Land of Palm Oil4 PM | Where the Wind Takes You & Antarctic Voyage5:30 P...
19/02/2025

Lineup for Wednesday, March 12th 🎞

3 PM | In the Land of Palm Oil

4 PM | Where the Wind Takes You & Antarctic Voyage

5:30 PM | Event: Cocktail Hour with ‘Boundary Waters’ Behind-the-Scenes Photos. Sponsored by Upper Midwest Film Office. EHST Lounge.

6 PM | The Birds Who Fear Death

7 PM | Boundary Waters

Get festival passes or tickets to individual screenings at ElyFilmFest.com

3rd Annual Ely Film Festival | March 12-16, 2025 | Ely’s Historic State Theater

Schedule subject to change, visit the Ely Film Festival website for up-to-date info.

Purchase festival passes, or tickets to individual screenings, at ElyFilmFest.com. Get yours before they sell out! 🎟️Beh...
14/02/2025

Purchase festival passes, or tickets to individual screenings, at ElyFilmFest.com. Get yours before they sell out! 🎟️

Behind-the-scenes photo from the film Never Not Yours, showing Thursday, March 13th at 8 PM.

3rd Annual Ely Film Festival | March 12-16, 2025 | Ely’s Historic State Theater

The Ely Film Festival is a promise of exposure, exploration, and cultural enrichment, and we invite you to bring your creative energies! It’s an event that fuses the magic of cinema, the richness of our shared stories, and the pristine beauty of Ely, Minnesota.

13/02/2025

Some of the best cross country skiing in the country is around the Boundary Waters. Learn more about the trails and gear you need to explore this winter wonderland.

A cultural renaissance has been happening in Ely over the past couple of years. We spoke with Ian Lah and Jacob White, t...
12/02/2025

A cultural renaissance has been happening in Ely over the past couple of years. We spoke with Ian Lah and Jacob White, two key figures behind this exciting transformation. 🎭 Read how they are delivering an unforgettable experience through the arts to our community in our latest blog here: https://www.ely.org/blog/post/ely-arts-scene/

📸: Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA)

The snow sculptors in action this past weekend ❄️ The sculptures are done, but there’s still plenty Ely Winter Festival ...
11/02/2025

The snow sculptors in action this past weekend ❄️ The sculptures are done, but there’s still plenty Ely Winter Festival left! Check out ElyWinterFestival.com for the full festival schedule.

10/02/2025
“‘Swamp Donkey’ Moose looking nice and healthy!”📸:
10/02/2025

“‘Swamp Donkey’ Moose looking nice and healthy!”

📸:



10/02/2025

Festival passes and tickets are on sale now at ElyFilmFest.com!

08/02/2025
08/02/2025
“Come gather at the Bandshell in Whiteside Park tonight, Friday, February 7 @ 6:00p, as we kick off Ely Winter Festival ...
07/02/2025

“Come gather at the Bandshell in Whiteside Park tonight, Friday, February 7 @ 6:00p, as we kick off Ely Winter Festival 2025 with our Opening Ceremony! We are honored to have the Bois Forte Singers Drum Circle on stage to begin the celebration. Our procession will then flow along the pathway to the Fire Bowl. Did we mention goodies & hot cocoa following the ceremony? Family friendly community joy you won’t want to miss!”

📷 & ✍️ : Peta Barrett

07/02/2025

We are looking forward to an exciting weekend of Kubb and the Ely Winter Festival 2025! Currently, we have 12 teams ready to tackle the chilly morning and enjoy time with both new and old friends. If you're interested in joining, there is still room available.

Ely Winter Festival Kubb Tournament 2025 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ely-winter-festival-kubb-tournament-2025-tickets-1129164664909?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

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Videos

Join Lacey & Brett on a field trip to Happy Days Learning Center, a day care center that serves infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. Happy Days has been caring for local children for over 55 years, and recently expanded upon moving into the new Ely Area Community Foundation Hub. In this episode we’ll chat with Kathleen Floberg, the director of the Happy Days Learning Center. We’ll also hear from a few very special guests.And, of course, this episode includes an event round up. There’s always something to do in Ely! Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧Host: Lacey Squier | Guests: Kathleen Floberg and Kids of Ely | Producer: Brett Ross | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN 📷: Happy Days Learning Center #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #mnpodcast #independentpodcast #independentpodcaster #exploremn #exploreminnesota #northernlife #elymn #elyminnesota #learningcenter

Festival passes and tickets are on sale now at ElyFilmFest.com! #visitelymn #filmfestival #filmfestivals #independentfilm #indiefilm #shortfilm #featurefilm #filmmaking #indiefilmmaking #shortfilmfestival #independentfilmfestival #filmcommunity #filmlovers #film #movies #cinema #elyminnesota #elymn #elyfilmfestival #minnesotafilmfestival #upnorthmn #boundarywaters #superiornationalforest #filmmaker #indiefilmmaker

Ely Winter Festival Kubb tournament in Whiteside Park earlier today ☀️

Dan Ryan is a Wildlife Biologist on the Laurentian District of the Superior National Forest, and Taylor Brannock is a Biological Science Technician on the Kawishiwi District. They join this episode to talk about tracking and researching that iconic and elusive Northwoods cat, the Canada lynx. In collaboration with U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest 🌲 Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host and Producer: Brett Ross | Guests: Dan Ryan and Taylor Brannock | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN📷: Jim Schwartz Photographic Artistry #mnpodcast #podcast #instapodcast #superiornationalforest #northwoods #elymn #elyminnesota #lynx #nationalforest #forestservice #northwoods #wildlife #wildlifebiology

This episode listeners hear from Aaron Kania, the District Ranger for the Kawishiwi District of the Superior National Forest. Ranger Kania will share the details of a comment period for the proposed Fernberg Project. Next we’ll have a conversation about the upcoming Ely Film Festival with festival director and coordinator, Jacob White and Nina Wray, respectively. The 3rd annual Ely Film Festival is scheduled for March 12-16, 2025. And, of course, this episode includes an event round up. There’s always something to do in Ely! Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host: Lacey Squier | Guests: Aaron Kania, Jacob White and Nina Wray | Producer: Brett Ross | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN 📷: Ely Film Festival MN #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #mnpodcast #independentpodcast #independentpodcaster #exploremn #exploreminnesota #northernlife #elymn #elyminnesota #superiornationalforest #nationalforest #filmfestival #elyfilmfestival #indiefilms

🎿 Ely.org/Adventure ❄️ #winteradventure #winter #elymn #visitelymn #exploremn #winterinmn #digitalguide #adventureguide #northwoods

Thank you to everyone who came out for our first annual Ely Dark Sky Festival!

On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with her friend and neighbor (and returning guest!) Tim Barton. Tim is an Outfitting Manager at Piragis Northwoods Company, and he specializes in winter. He also happens to be an excellent conversationalist and radio nerd (which is to say he studied radio broadcasting in college). You may recall meeting Tim Barton on episode one of the What’s Up Ely Podcast. He was also a guest on episode 25. Lacey and Tim will discuss winter recreation, winter recreation rentals and guided trips, and who knows what else! And, of course, this episode includes an event round up. There’s always something to do in Ely! Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host: Lacey Squier | Guest: Tim Barton | Producer: Brett Ross |Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN 📷: Wolvenwood Studio, LLC #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #mnpodcast #independentpodcast #independentpodcaster #exploremn #exploreminnesota #northernlife #elymn #elyminnesota #wintercamping #winterrecreation #outfitting #snowshoeing #ski #winter

On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with Bill Erzar, a born-and-raised Elyite. Bill is the grandson of a Slovenian immigrant who arrived in Ely in 1909 and worked underground for 45 years. Bill himself worked in local mines for over 30 years, and now serves as a volunteer tour guide at the Pioneer Mine. Bill is also a potica enthusiast, and indeed he enjoys discussing history and his Slovenian heritage. Bill and Lacey will reminisce about Bill’s family history in Ely, as well as Christmas traditions past and present. And, of course, this episode includes an event round up. There’s always something to do in Ely! Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧Host: Lacey SquierSquier | Guest: Bill Erzar | Producer: Brett Ross | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN | 📷: Corvid Images #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #mnpodcast #independentpodcast #independentpodcaster #exploremn #exploreminnesota #northernlife #elymn #elyminnesota #visitelymn #christmas #potica #immigrants #christmasinasmalltown #smalltownlife #traditions

Erik Redix, Ojibwe Language Coordinator with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa joins this episode, along with Superior National Forest Archeologist Lee Johnson who returns to Forest North, to talk about the Ojibwe language, or Ojibwemowin, and some of the original place names in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest and the North Shore of Lake Superior. In collaboration with U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest 🌲 Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host and Producer: Brett Ross | Guest: Erik Redix and Lee Johnson | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN I 📷: Wolvenwood Studio, LLC #mnpodcast #podcast #instapodcast #superiornationalforest #northwoods #elymn #elyminnesota #optoutside #nationalforest #forestservice #northwoods #ojibwe #ojibwemowin #archaeologist #archaeologylife #bwcaw

On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with Scott Stowell, author of Back Road Grace. Back Road Grace is a collection of essays, memoirs and short fiction about the culture, Wilderness treasures, and the character of the inhabitants in northeastern Minnesota. Scott and Lacey’s conversation is inspired by the spirit of Scott’s writing – it elicits thought and laughter, and educates listeners about year-round life in our northern climate, and the moxie it takes to thrive here. And, of course, this episode includes an event round up. There’s always something to do in Ely! Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host: Lacey Squier | Guest: Scott Stowell | Producer: Brett Ross | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN 📷: Corvid Images #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #mnpodcast #independentpodcast #independentpodcaster #exploremn #exploreminnesota #northernlife #elymn #elyminnesota #visitelymn #tourismtown#smalltowncharm #smalltownlife

Teddy Mullins is a 24 year veteran Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. He currently serves as Patrol Captain on the Chippewa and Superior National Forests in Minnesota. In collaboration with U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest 🌲Listen on Ely.org or your favorite podcast platform 🎧 Host and Producer: Brett Ross | Guest: Teddy Mullins | Brought to you by the Visit Ely, MN I 📷: U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest #mnpodcast #podcast #instapodcast #superiornationalforest #northwoods #elymn #elyminnesota #optoutside #nationalforest #forestservice #northwoods #lawenforcement #patrolcaptain #chippewanationalforest

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