Canoe Rentals, Guided Trips, Bait, Tackle & Gear
Your Wilderness Adventure Starts with the Right Outfitter
At Spirit of the Wilderness, we believe that no two trips — or travelers — are alike. That’s why we provide personalized service and expert outfitting to ensure your adventure is everything you want it to be (and more).
Your comfort, safety, and overall experience in the BWCA or Quetico all come down to one thing: choosing the right outfitter. We believe no two trips — or travelers — are alike, which is why we provide personalized service and expert outfitting. We’re located in Ely, Minnesota — the canoe capital of the upper Midwest — and we’re your one-stop resource for canoe and kayak rentals, guided trips, live bait and tackle, camping and fishing gear, and custom trip planning.
We’re a one-stop resource for canoe and kayak rentals, guided trips, live bait and tackle, camping and fishing gear, and custom trip planning. We’ll help you define the kind of experience you want — fishing for walleye, bass, lake trout, or northern pike; wildlife and landscape photography; exploring pictographs, historic sites, and towering pines; or simply enjoying peace and solitude — then choose your trip options: solo or group travel, a professional guide, towboat service to save time, flying into Quetico by floatplane and paddling back to Ely, or accommodating a group member with special medical or physical needs. From there, we’ll help you select the right canoe or kayak rental, outfitting package, trip route and permits, and gear and supplies — all within your vacation budget.
Located in Ely, Minnesota — the canoe capital of the upper Midwest — we’re your one-stop resource for:
• Canoe and kayak rentals
• Guided trips
• Live bait and tackle
• Camping and fishing gear
• Custom trip planning
We Start With You
- What kind of experience are you looking for?
Fishing for walleye, bass, lake trout, or northern pike? - Capturing stunning wildlife and northern landscapes through photography?
- Exploring ancient pictographs, historic sites, and towering pines?
- Or simply immersing yourself in the peace and solitude of the wilderness?
Whether you’re following in the paddle strokes of the French Voyageurs or sticking to a relaxing basecamp, we’ll help you plan a trip tailored to your goals, skill level, and interests.
Choosing the Right Options
You might prefer to:
• Travel solo or in a group
• Use a professional guide
• Include a towboat service to save time
• Fly into Quetico by floatplane and paddle back to Ely
• Accommodate a group member with special medical or physical needs
No matter the challenge or complexity, Spirit of the Wilderness is here to help you plan with confidence.
We’ll guide you through selecting the best:
✔️ Canoe or kayak rental
✔️ Outfitting package
✔️ Trip route and permits
✔️ Gear and supplies — all within your vacation budget
What sets our trip planning apart:
- A stated belief that “no two trips — or travelers — are alike,” with personalized service and expert outfitting
- Location in Ely, Minnesota — “the canoe capital of the upper Midwest”
- Trip options including solo or group travel, a professional guide, and towboat service to save time
- The option to fly into Quetico by floatplane and paddle back to Ely
- Ability to help accommodate a group member with special medical or physical needs
- Guidance on canoe or kayak rental, outfitting package, trip route and permits, and gear and supplies within your vacation budget
Our Process
- Define the experience you want — We start by asking what kind of experience you’re looking for: fishing for walleye, bass, lake trout, or northern pike; wildlife and landscape photography; exploring pictographs, historic sites, and towering pines; or simply enjoying peace and solitude in the wilderness.
- Choose your trip options — Decide whether to travel solo or in a group, use a professional guide, include a towboat service to save time, fly into Quetico by floatplane and paddle back to Ely, or accommodate a group member with special medical or physical needs.
- Get matched with the right gear and route — Spirit of the Wilderness guides you through selecting the best canoe or kayak rental, outfitting package, trip route and permits, and gear and supplies — all within your vacation budget.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned paddler, your next great wilderness experience starts right here — with the local experts who know the BWCA and Quetico best.
