Our location is the very edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Our hand hewn guest house was owner built from the surrounding forests. Owner, Don Beans cut the large pine logs in 1997, from wind blown trees located just down the Fernberg Road near the Lake One wilderness landing. A portable sawmill on his homestead cut them into the rough cut lumber as seen in the cabin. Looking north from the large 400 sq. foot deck; the next road is 70 plus miles away- and that's Canada's Highway 11. There's not a structure that lies between, just remote Northwoods wilderness. From this Guest House base, there are over three dozen easily accessible water bodies where guests can enjoy superb fishing, great canoeing, and fun exploring- all in just a day trip. Hundreds of other pristine clear water lakes are available in the wilderness area where guests can paddle their canoe and go camping. Reserving our beautiful hand crafted guest house will offer you many outdoor adventure options to choose from.
These two wilderness areas, the BWCA and Quetico Park; are world renown for their incredible smallmouth bass angling and high quality walleye fishing. The clear water lakes harbor healthy populations of the voracious snaggle toothed northern pike, and many contain that denizen of the deep, the colorful lake trout. This area also has quality angling for the belligerent and indigenous northern large mouth bass, plus some local waterways support healthy populations of big bluegills and black crappies and yellow perch; which are a favorite of children.
This area is an outdoor recreation mecca. First and foremost, it is well known for the incredible canoeing and kayaking opportunities; and given its size, offers a lifetime's worth of paddling. The day trip choices are endless. You'll enjoy clean water swimming in these pristine lakes, and you'll find many nearby US Forest Service maintained hiking trails, and some great bicycling routes. This area is one of the finest in the country for bird watching as well.
There are several scenic car routes too; like the woodsy drive down HWY 1 to massive Lake Superior, or the narrow and winding Echo Trail, where whitetail deer, moose, black bears, and timber wolves are commonly seen.
During the autumn months here in northeastern Minnesota, hunters enjoy tromping the hazel thickets and alder brambles with their setters and spaniels in search of Grey Thunder, the ruffed grouse. Do you enjoy whitetail deer hunting? ...Yes? Well, need I say anything more about the vast Northwoods and wary whitetail bucks? What we have here that allows our bucks to grow big antler mass; is that they have the chance to grow old. Public land abounds. How much public land? How about 3 1/2 million acres.
Yes, Ely is a winter wonderland too. The town officially rings in the 'Winter Season' on Thanksgiving night. All the shops open their doors and turn on their Christmas lights- welcoming guests, visitors, and of course- Jack Frost. Soon afterwards the lakes freeze over and the forests get cloaked in a blanket of snow.
Take note- Well groomed snowmobile trails crisscross northern Minnesota, and Ely is a major hub. Come and visit, and you'll find that snowmobiles become the preferred choice of travel with many locals.
Do you like to Cross Country Ski? Add in the Northwoods, Great Combo! Both well groomed trails and back country skiing are available. Ely does have ski shops and winter apparel stores. Don't overlook the quality snowshoeing either.
Did you know- 'Ely is coined the Dog Sled Capital'. These are fun filled trips- by the day, overnight, camping,; you name it! There are several high quality winter dog sled businesses ready to take you on that adventure. Put this on your Bucket List!
How about wetting a line through the ice? Ice fishermen have literally hundreds of lakes to drill holes and search for crappies, bluegills, yellow perch, walleyes, northern pike and lake trout. Local guides, eager and willing, are available along with comfy ice house rentals.
Overall, what's up with Ely, MN? It is a wonderful, quaint small town with a reputation for the arts. Museums, studios and galleries abound and arts and craft stores are found everywhere. Just find a place to park your car and start walking, Ely isn't 'Big in size', just 'Big in things to do'! On any summer Tuesday night; the air is serenaded by musicians performing on the sidewalks- coined 'Ely's Tuesday Night Live'. There are many local plays that perform regularly. You'll get hungry and there are great places to dine; from breakfasts to lunches to dinners; and a few bakeries and coffee shops to quench that sweet tooth and Java fix in between. You'll find fun filled pubs to enjoy a cold one, visit with friends, or catch that game on the tube. Like Golf? There's a few within sixty miles of scenic driving through forested roads with lake views peeking through the evergreens.
