Hello all,

My girlfriend and I would like to rent out a cabin/lodge for a couple of nights over new years.

Our idea is to rent something very close to the BWCA, so that we can snowshoe or ski into the BWCA for day trips. We think this would be a good way to give winter camping a try without the difficulties associated with carrying gear, sleeping in the cold etc....

Does anyone have any recommendations for good cabins, lodges, yurts or anything else. The more primitive the better! Also we would like to bring our dog, so it would be a plus if pets were allowed.

Any recommendations?

Thanks all.

Also, what is the situation with snow in the BWCA usually? Is it naive to expect decent snow for snowshoeing, skiing around new years?

There will most likely be snow by that time. However, anything can happen.

There is a place that rent yurts on a ski trail, but I cannot remember where it is or its name. Try doing a search on the internet. If I find it I'll post it here later.

the gunflint lodge is open year around

Gunflint Lodge
Bearskin Lodge (expensive)
Boundary Country Trekking (Yurts and Skiing)
Tuscarora (quiet and small)

If you are going to the Ely area and up the Echo Trail region, the Fenske Lake Cabins on Fenske Lake (13 miles from Ely) rents cabins over weekends in the winter. They are just down the road from the Mudro entry.

Ozarker

vlado4,

If after trying the businesses mentioned, and if not finding one to your liking, give me a call at 218-365-4744 from 9-4 daily.

Leave a message on the answering machine.

If you are looking for a private cabin for rent, I can give you some information on a few places that are close to the BDub.

Make sure you leave your phone number, and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

Smitty's on Snowbank is open year-round, and the lake is 1/2 in the BWCA. And they have meals in the lodge if you want. I brought my dog there once and he loved it, and the Schmidts are not at all uptight about pets being on leashes, etc. So if you want to bring a dog, I think it's by far the best resort around Ely. 800-950-8310

I second Ozarker's Fenske Cabins recommendation. Simple cabins on the lake, across from the FS campground. They also are great with dogs. It's not only close to Mudro, but also to Angleworm Trail (snowshoe, ski) and the North Arm ski trails etc. And Fenske Lake itself, though outside the BW, is on a chain of lakes that are pretty primative.

Log Cabin Hideaways is exactly what you are looking for if you want the Ely area. Google it and check it out. Foot/snowshoe/ski access cabins with all the fixins, including a sauna.

I agree with the ditchpickle. I haven't actually stayed at one of their cabins but they have what vlado is looking for based on their post and they are very private. I was going to stay at one of them in March but things fell through because of my wife's work and I was very bummed. I'm hoping to use one of their cabins in the future.

Northern Lights Lodge by Ely is a very nice and clean place by Ely with great hosts but it does not give you the direct access to the BWCA. They do have trails close by. We have stayed at NLL in the summer, fall, and winter and have been very happy.

Oops, please delete this post!

Meant to bump an old thread in the Winter Activities forum.