Ely, Minnesota: Where the road ends and the adventure begins!
Driving: Guests living in the Midwest typically choose to drive. Ely is served by good paved highway systems. Allow 4 hours drive time from Minneapolis and 10 hours from Chicago or Kansas City. Your car may remain at our shop or the entry point while on trail.
Flying: Guests traveling by plane typically fly into Duluth (DLH – 2 hours driving from Ely) or the Minneapolis-St. Paul Intl. Airport (MSP – 4 hours driving from Ely). Flight prices typically are much lower for MSP. Ely does not have commercial flights, although private planes may fly into the Ely Municipal Airport (ELO – 4 miles from Ely).
Rental Cars: Most of our guests arriving by air find it most cost-effective and convenient to rent a car at the airport. The rental car may remain at our shop or the entry point while on trail. We commonly tie canoes to the roof of rental cars.
Bus: Ely does not have commercial bus service.
RV: Off-site camper and RV storage/parking while your group is on trail may be available for a fee and with advance notice. Find campgrounds for before and after your wilderness trip here.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO OUR SHOP (529 E. Sheridan St., Ely, MN 55731)
Parking Note
Park on the street for a pre-trip orientation or if you are not picking up canoes. Pull around to our parking lot off the alley if you are picking up canoes.
From Minneapolis to Ely
Option 1 – Fastest Route
Approx. 4 hours drive time
Take Interstate 35 north. Exit to Hwy. 33 north at Cloquet. Exit to Hwy. 53 north. Four miles north of the town of Virginia, exit on Hwy. 169 north and travel 45 miles to Ely. Ely Outfitting Company is two blocks after the second stoplight on your left at 529 E. Sheridan Street.
Option 2 – Scenic Route
Approx. 5 hours drive time via scenic route
Take Interstate 35 north to Duluth. Follow the below scenic route directions from Duluth.
From Duluth to Ely
Option 1 – Fastest Route
Approx. 2 hours drive time via typical route
Take Hwy. 53 north. Four miles north of the town of Virginia, exit on Hwy. 169 north and travel 45 miles to Ely. Ely Outfitting Company is two blocks after the second stoplight on your left at 529 E. Sheridan Street.
Option 2 – Scenic Route
Approx. 2.5 hours drive time via scenic route
Take Hwy. 61 north along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Turn left after Silver Bay onto Hwy. 1 west. When you arrive at the first stop sign in Ely, turn left onto Sheridan Street. Go about one mile to 529 E. Sheridan Street on your right.