Our Boy Scout troop from Nebraska has made several trips to the BWCA over the last twenty years. We have always booked through Canadian Border Outfitters. Upon looking them up to start planning, we found out that they have sold and the new owners are not running an outfitting business out of there anymore.

They did have a recommendation to send all customers to Williams and Hall outfitters. Upon looking them up, the rates seem significantly higher and the menu definitely didn't look as good (the fresh food from Zups was amazing).

In 2019, our five days, four nights (on the water) including bunkhouse the night before and after, with kevlar canoes and full outfitting, was only $365/person.

We are looking to plan a late July 2022 trip, 5-7 days on the water, full outfitter plan with food, etc, and bunkhouse, or at least campsite on location. Our troop has grown quite a bit over the last two years so we are possibly bringing 4-5 adults and 10-14 kids.

Looking for recommendations for an outfitter that someone has used and might at least be close to the rates of Canadian Border Outfitters.

Thanks in advance for any information!

I have patronized quite a number of outfitters in the Ely area, including CBO, and found all of them to be satisfactory. They've all had pluses and minuses where you maybe gain one advantage while sacrificing another and all seem to be price-competative for what you do and don't get.

I find myself often gravitating toward Canoe Country Outfitters and I do believe they have a Moose Lake option, if that's what you want to stick with, though I've never used that aspect of their offerings. If you look, you may find other Moose Lake options as well. I have used the Williams and Hall facility--again, satisfactorily--on more than one occasion, but when I did it was with previous owners.

Latourells could be a good option. Further in towards the edge of the BWCA so a little shorter paddle up Moose. I know they have lodgings as well. I have no idea about pricing though for non profits. This would be a nice option where you’d get to stay on the lake. You’d be right next to Northern Tier! I do realize the price is higher at NT per person but I did think the one trip I did with NT was worth it though.

Options exist in town as well and I’ve seen troops use those. I favor Piragis in town. Plenty of other great options though. You’d need to figure out lodging though with the ones in town. Some of them might have bunk houses though. You’d also need a shuttle to and from entry point most likely? This would give you more options for entry points if you wanted to do a different trip.

I’d get it figured out quick though since the entry point permit reservations
Open for this year Wednesday January 26th. With the permit reduction people are way more serious this year about getting permits reserved right away. I’ve read at least 3 Star Tribune articles in the past month regarding BWCAW permits.

Ryan

I used Latourell‘s for my first trip two years ago. I would use them again in a heartbeat if going to the Moose Lake area. Even with all the craziness that 2020 was they were excellent. I even forgot my compass in their life vest and called the next day. They found it two weeks later and mailed it back to me for free.

Our troop has used Williams & Hall on the Ely side and Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint side. Both provide great service!

Blayne at Williams & Hall is part of a scouting family. They gave our scouts great instruction and provided an evening meal the day we arrived. They are great with large groups. I’d give him a call about scout pricing.

Our troop used canoe country outfitters. Bunk house or campsites on Moose for first night, apartments in Ely for last night, good prices, very accommodating.

I agree with all of the options listed. In addition maybe check out Cliff Wolds.
1. I love that they kept Cliff’s name even though he passed many years ago.
2. They have always catered to the BSA and youth groups. I think if your group is at least 8 people and at least 50% minors the adult leader is free? They don’t have moose lake lodging but they shuttle ya there for free. This might get ya closer to CBO’s prices but CBO gave ya a great price. I’d also be prepared that all good things come to an end at some point…

T

If you don't mind switching up and coming off the Gunflint Trail, I always used Gunflint Outfitters when I took youth groups up. They offered rates in line with what you are used to and amenities sound the same.

With that said, they changed ownership about five years ago and the ladies that ran the outfitter side of the business (Bonnie & Sheryl) are no longer there. It would definitely be worth a call to them.

Also on the Gunflint side is Tuscarora Outfitters who my buddies and I use every year (non-youth group) and they are top notch. I know they get youth groups coming through. They do have group-sized bunkhouses on site and you can access two entry points from their beach and a third entry point 1/4 mile up the road from them.

Mike

JATFOMike: "If you don't mind switching up and coming off the Gunflint Trail, I always used Gunflint Outfitter's when I took youth groups up. They offered rates inline with what you are used to and amenities sound the same. with that said, they changed ownership about 5 years ago and the ladies that ran the outfitter side of the business (Bonnie & Cheryl) are no longer there. "

FWIW, nothing but excellent experiences with Mandy & crew at Gunflint over the past 3 years.

Spirit of the Wilderness in Ely seems to always have a scout troop going through a pre trip orientation whenever i stop by in the summer. The owners were Scouts.

My son's troop always used Northern Tier.

My wife and I have used Williams and Hall for four years beginning in 2018 and plan to use them in 2022 also. I highly recommend them for their service. Their overnight accommodations are adequate, although no air conditioning (if that matters to you). We bring our own gear, including food and canoe, so I can't comment on their outfitting services.

I would HIGHLY recommend Tuscarora Outfitters off the Gunflint. I have used them for many years, since 2005. The new owners have now been there for quite a while, since maybe 2013 or so. Andy and Ada are AWESOME! The property is awesome, back nestled in the beautiful white pines.

We have taken a group of 36 middle school students there for all those years. They handle the large group VERY well! Due to Covid and things related to our school, we are no longer doing the trip.

They do a great job modifying the food for the needs of each person in each group. Their gear is top notch, never had an issue.

1 year we used a diff outfitter and we had tents missing poles, stoves not working and crappy life vests. We have never had that problem with Tuscarora. Great people, beautiful lodge/cabins/property and great, updated gear.

I would recommend atleast giving them a call. I dont really know about prices, I just know they do a great job.
message me if you want more details.

On the Ely side I use Dan at Canadian Waters. He’s awesome.

Not going to be much help here because it's just more of the same praise for Ely Outfitters. I don't know that there is really a bad answer. I've used both Piragis and Spirit of the Wilderness in cases where I've had a large group of 8-9 people. Both were very good and their rates are competitive. However, as of late, I've used primarily Piragis because the staff is extremely personable and they do an excellent job of prepping you with little tidbits to help enhance your trip. There is no question the Piragis crew absolutely loves what they do; their passion for the BWCA absolutely shows through every time we've used them. I'd recommend Piragis - but again, based on my experiences and discussions with other groups about outfitter choices, you're in good hands with just about any outfitter you chose in Ely.

Darin Krempges
Humboldt, SD

Can't say enough good things about Carl at Rockwood on Poplar Lake. He's pretty obsessive about customers taking good care of his equipment, but he has every right to be. He makes everyone watch the LNT video and go over a checklist of essential equipment (even if you brought all of your own), which I admire.

Canoe country or Cliff Wold's. Can't go wrong with either.

Cliff Wolds in Ely is pretty darn good. I've used them for the last 3 years.

Our troop usually goes thru Voyageur North when we're going in Ely side, although our first trip via Snowbank and we had a postive experience with Latourell's. We haven't planned any GFT trips so no advice there other than positive personal experiences with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, Gunflint, and Clearwater.

We have used VNO (Voyageur North) in Ely. Great people, accommodations for groups, full outfitting. Using them again this year. Just cannot go wrong with VNO

I love that almost every outfitter is listed in this thread, even ones not listed I know are good. Just saying it’s nice too see.

T

timatkn: "I love that almost every outfitter is listed in this thread, even ones not listed I know are good. Just saying it’s nice to see.

T"

Agreed

Seconded for Rockwood and Tuscarora. Both are great, have ample bunkhouse space and offer great service.

I can also recommend Canadian Waters in Ely. Always been treated well.