BWCA Outfitter for EP 14 Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Papa09
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01/06/2023 06:58PM  
Any suggestions on an outfitter that services EP 14? We would only need a couple canoes, a pre trip bunkhouse, and maybe a shower.

Thanks!

JC
 
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tumblehome
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01/06/2023 07:08PM  
Can you tell us what lake or river it is? It’s easier than having to go look for it.
I only have three entry points memorized.
Papa09
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01/06/2023 07:18PM  
EP 14 is Little Indian Sioux (north)
Lawnchair107
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01/06/2023 07:21PM  
I believe all of the Ely outfitters will provide some sort of service to EP 14.

TumbleH- which 3?!
TuscaroraBorealis
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01/06/2023 09:00PM  
Anderson's is the closest & most convenient. Always had great service when I've used them.
Michwall2
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01/07/2023 06:07AM  
We used Voyageur North Outfitters (VNO) in Ely when we went out of LIS North. Nice bunkhouse, great gear, good people.
billconner
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01/07/2023 06:47AM  
I think any Ely outfitter will. I used Canoe Country for a pick up.
tumblehome
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01/07/2023 06:58AM  
Lawnchair107: "I believe all of the Ely outfitters will provide some sort of service to EP 14.


TumbleH- which 3?!"


I can’t remember now! 84 is one.
I honestly pick different entries all the time. I have favorites but I like to it all and new entries provide new places to see.
I’ve used the weird one- entry from Canada when I’ve paddled from Quetico into the BWCA.

As for the OP, any outfitter in Ely serves the echo trail entries. Piragis is outstanding.

Tom
Deeznuts
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01/07/2023 07:10AM  
We have used piragis for all our trips so far. Booking the permit was super easy through the rec.gov website, they always had the canoes we reserved, and permit pick up was simple. Never used their showers or bunkhouse, we always pick up the night before and stay at lake Jeannette which is only 15/20 minutes down the road from the EP. $21 to reserve a site ahead of time on rec.gov, 15$ if you reserve when you arrive. Staying at the campsite the night before really gets us in the right mindset.
Papa09
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01/07/2023 08:03AM  
Typically I trip on the Gunflint side. The one time I did go to Ely side I used Piragis, we just rented canoes. Do they have a bunkhouse?
01/07/2023 08:22AM  
I am only familiar with Piragis and Voyageur North, and have been happy with both. Piragis does not have a bunkhouse, Voyageur North does.

If you click on the Outfitters tab at the top of this page, it will give you a list of Ely outfitters with their basic information and a link to their websites.
Papa09
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01/07/2023 08:28AM  
boonie: "I am only familiar with Piragis and Voyageur North, and have been happy with both. Piragis does not have a bunkhouse, Voyageur North does.


If you click on the Outfitters tab at the top of this page, it will give you a list of Ely outfitters with their basic information and a link to their websites."



Thanks! I did go through that page as well. I just like to hear about good experiences had by others. Of the dozen or so outfitters I’ve used in the past all have been great, but some have been better than others.
Lawnchair107
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01/07/2023 08:55AM  
+1 on Voyageur North. Have used their multiple bunk houses many times. Would highly recommend.
01/07/2023 11:26AM  
I would use Piragis. IMO, top-of-the-line in Ely.
01/07/2023 12:44PM  
FYI Anderson’s (Crane Lake) closer by about 30 minutes to EP14 and EP16 than the Ely based outfitters. They have a motel (Pine Ridge) for the night before and showers for use upon exit.
01/07/2023 02:02PM  
If you don't need the Ely experience outfit through Andersons and stay in the motel across the road. I will say Andersons does a great job however a couple years ago we discovered that Voyagaire right at Crane Lake has what may be the nicest cleanest showers in the North. Your crew can sip beers on the deck while others scrub the filth off and order food.

Crane Lake lacks the the storefront but there are things to do and see in the area. Its different from Ely but not worse...just different.

M
TuscaroraBorealis
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01/07/2023 02:33PM  
fairmatt: "If you don't need the Ely experience outfit through Andersons and stay in the motel across the road. I will say Andersons does a great job however a couple years ago we discovered that Voyagaire right at Crane Lake has what may be the nicest cleanest showers in the North. Your crew can sip beers on the deck while others scrub the filth off and order food.


Crane Lake lacks the the storefront but there are things to do and see in the area. Its different from Ely but not worse...just different.


M"


That's fair Matt.

Sorry, couldnt resist...

Don't hate me. :)
razinCO
  
01/30/2023 10:14AM  
We have used Canoe Country, they have a bunkhouse, shuttle and showers at the end. The crew over there could not be kinder and more helpful. Family owned and wonderful to deal with. We have used them the last 3 years and zero complaints.
01/30/2023 10:56AM  
TuscaroraBorealis: " Anderson's is the closest & most convenient. Always had great service when I've used them."


+1
01/30/2023 11:07AM  
When we use an outfitter for the Ely side, we book through Boundary Waters Outfitters on the east side of town. They have an affordable bunkhouse with showers and some breakfast before heading out to your entry point. We've used their shuttle service to the entry point as well before we purchased our own canoes. If you want to enter and exit at different points, they can arrange that for you as well.
01/30/2023 01:58PM  
I'm staying at Williams & Hall this year, they are driving me from their facility on Moose Lake out to EP 14. I'm paddling one way to Lake One where they will pick me up. I've used them multiple times and recommend them.
Mapmaker
member (36)member
  
01/30/2023 04:13PM  
Papa09: "Any suggestions on an outfitter that services EP 14? We would only need a couple canoes, a pre trip bunkhouse, and maybe a shower.

Thanks!

JC"


Ely Outfitting Company has been great for me, canoes, gear, bunkhouse, shower and really nice crew.
flytyer
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01/30/2023 04:57PM  
I can recommend VNO. I used other outfitters in Ely but have not found any to be better than VNO. Using them again this summer. I am sure others would give high recommendations to other Ely area outfitters. Just my experience.
RoJo
Guest Paddler
  
01/30/2023 07:10PM  
Have used VNO 3 times and planning a 4th this season. Went out of EP 14 last trip and exited at 16. Stayed in bunkhouse all three times and used shuttle for last trip. Nice folks, very knowledgeable and good experience on all trips.
bombinbrian
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01/31/2023 04:02PM  
We use Dan at Canadian Waters. Have used him for years, for every trip. Love him to death.
01/31/2023 07:16PM  
Voyageur North. Of course I don’t have much experience with anyone else in Ely, but that’s where I go last stop before going in. Fishing license, leeches, couple lures I don’t really need, nice people to do biz with. The previous owner did me right be fixing my seat on my Prism on the way out of town one time, didn’t even charge me. I’m completely loyal when I find someone I believe in. Don’t know the new owners but hope they are as totally cool as the last ones.
BigPaul
member (24)member
  
02/09/2023 01:06PM  
Canoe Country Outfitters, right there on the main drag going through Ely. CCO was the third outfitter in a series and have stayed with them the last eight years. We’ve rented everything from just canoes to the whole enchilada. In addition to a clean, comfortable bunkhouse (with private bath), they also have a few Minnesota type houses for larger groups.
Family owned/operated they’ve always gone above and beyond to meet our sometimes ridiculous needs/requests.
Bonus… Ely Steakhouse , Britton’s and the Kwazy Wabbit are within walking distance.
BigPaul
member (24)member
  
02/09/2023 01:06PM  
Canoe Country Outfitters, right there on the main drag going through Ely. CCO was the third outfitter in a series and have stayed with them the last eight years. We’ve rented everything from just canoes to the whole enchilada. In addition to a clean, comfortable bunkhouse (with private bath), they also have a few Minnesota type houses for larger groups.
Family owned/operated they’ve always gone above and beyond to meet our sometimes ridiculous needs/requests.
Bonus… Ely Steakhouse , Britton’s and the Kwazy Wabbit are within walking distance.
JimmyJustice
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02/09/2023 02:33PM  
Lawnchair107: "+1 on Voyageur North. Have used their multiple bunk houses many times. Would highly recommend."
+1
 
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