Outfitting canoe trips
into the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park since 1984 ...
now Ely's premier standard of outfitting excellence.
North Country Outfitters
Lakeside Base and Services
Our outfitting base is located on the
Minnesota/Ontario border, six miles from the little town of Ely, Minnesota,
on White Iron Lake (the majority of which is uninhabited). Being one of only
a very few outfitters in our immediate area, our parties may begin their
wilderness experience without the heavy canoe congestion found on a few of
the entry lakes. The smaller, narrow lakes leading away from our dock insure
safe, easy paddling, even on windy days. Short, direct canoe access to three
BWCA entry points, lead to some of the more remote lakes in the area.
However, should you want to go into Canada, or begin your travel through the
north country from one of the other U.S.-side entry points, we will be happy
to transport you and all of your equipment ... whether that be by van and
trailer ... tow boat ... or float plane.
Although the Boundary Waters and Quetico
Park are "friendly" wilderness areas, they sometimes pose insurmountable
obstacles to the uninformed and novice visitor. We are here to serve you
with the highest degree of professionalism, and good old fashion honesty and
integrity. We will provide invaluable assistance in securing the required
governmental permits (US or Canadian), transportation to & from outlying
landings, route suggestions, and general background information on the area
which you intend to travel (no one is more familiar with the canoe country
than we are -- we live here and have traveled the many lakes and streams).
We offer complete, professional outfitting and can provide everything that is necessary for you to enjoy a wilderness canoe trip.
We are uniquely equipped to supply canoes and equipment
designed expressly for this area. Much of today's "high tech" backpacking
equipment is not suited to canoe country travel. Conversely, canoe camping
equipment tends to be single purpose gear: ideal for canoeing, but not well
suited for other types of camping. We also do partial outfitting for those having some of their own equipment. Our food packing and outfitting complies with all federal regulations as they apply to both Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Canada's Quetico Park.
We were one of the first, and remain one
of a few select outfitters in the Superior National Forest to be granted
full outfitting operations under federal permit by the US Forest Service. We
are also one of only two Minnesota outfitters who have been granted a
provincial outfitting permit in Canada. These permits assure you of quality
outfitting and full insurance coverage. As the industry leader, dealing with
the newest equipment (including our "Expedition Grade" gear), we are the
only outfitter to offer all of the following advantages:
Have our outfitting base located on a strategic lake versus in town on Ely's main street;
Prior to determining an Entry Point for your
trip, we offer an in-depth reservation request form, which when completed, outlines your ability levels, travel expectations, goals of your
canoe trip, and fishing preferences, so as to better plan your canoe trip.
Offer private dorm style and motel style rooms for handy lakeside accommodations.
Offer ONLY Ultra-Lightweight Outfitting
equipment through our
Silver and Gold packages;
Offer two top quality menus featuring both
freeze dried and fresh foods including Certified Angus Beef
™ steaks as a regular menu item;
Offer significantly discounted package rates
to non-profit youth groups, while using the same high quality equipment as for
our private parties;
Offer Fly-in Canoe Trips departing directly from our main base
private docks versus the municipal dock in Ely;
Offer both land transportation and towboat service
from our base to all of the Ely area BWCA entry points (included with our Gold
and Silver Packages), PLUS towboat service from Moose Lake to the
Quetico Ranger Station at Prairie Portage.
And finally when you return from your
canoe trip you can leave behind a pile of dirty gear that needs cleaning and
requires storage space. All you would need to bring to Ely is your personal
clothing and your fishing tackle, along with your spirit of adventure. Even
the most well equipped Scout troops usually leave their own gear home and
avail themselves of the quality and convenience of North Country Canoe
Outfitters.
THE ONE SINGLE REASON, however, that most of our customers cite as to why
they chose us to outfit their trip, is individual service. We make every
effort to match your trip expectations to the areas and lakes that will
produce the best vacation for you. We pick your entry point and design your
trip route around you; we don't fit you into an "off the shelf" trip that is
convenient for us....
For more detailed information, try
these following links:
And finally when you return from your
canoe trip you can leave behind a pile of dirty gear that needs cleaning and
requires storage space. All you would need to bring to Ely is your personal
clothing and your fishing tackle, along with your spirit of adventure. Even
the most well equipped 
