Boundary Waters Resorts

There aren't many places in the world where you can experience nature that has been untouched by the hand of man or immerse yourself in a forest that looks the way it looked when the world was new. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of those places, and we are lucky enough to have it right here in Minnesota. More than one million acres in size, the BWCAW is the largest uncut forest in the eastern United States.

You won't see cars. You won't see airplanes. You won't see people on their cell phones (or people, period). And the night sky is like nothing you've ever seen in your life. The BWCAW is the world's largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary, meaning there is nothing to take away from the sky full of stars. Unless, of course, you're talking about the Northern Lights that blaze through the dark night, if you're lucky enough to see them.

There are hundreds of camp sites in the BWCAW where you can pitch your tent after a long day, but that isn't the only way to experience it. Many people prefer to enjoy the wilderness during the day and come back to a beautiful lodge or cozy cabin at night, head to their favorite restaurant in Ely, or enjoy the myriad activities going on in town on any given evening. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Whether it's the historic Burntside Lodge , the Grand Ely Lodge , or the many resorts, cabins and bed-and-breakfast inns in the surrounding area, you have much to choose from here. 

Ely is the gateway to the BWCAW. Come and see what it's all about.