The primary reason for Ely’s popularity is that recreational opportunities in the surrounding wilderness are nearly limitless. The four-mile Trezona Trail is a generally easy paved route around Miner’s Lake. A spur at the east end connects it to the International Wolf Center.

Trezona’s south side follows an old rail line and is part of the new Mesabi Trail (www.mesabitrail.com, www.boundarycountry.com) that will someday stretch 132 miles across the Iron Range from Ely to Grand Rapids. As of late 2009, 102 miles were complete.

Some mountain bikers ride the rough-surfaced Taconite State Trail that stretches 165 miles to Grand Rapids, although it’s principally a snowmobile trail. The Hidden Valley Recreation Area has 12 miles of hilly loops through a mix of birch stands and pine plantations just a mile east of town off Highway 169.

Though designed for cross-country skiing, the trails are open to mountain bikers in the summer. Maps are sometimes available at the trailhead, but it would be best to pick one up at the chamber of commerce. In fact, the chamber distributes maps for most area ski and bike trails.

Spirit of the Wilderness (2030 Sheridan St. E., 218/365-3149 or 800/950-2709, 6 a.m.–9 p.m. daily May–Oct.) rents mountain bikes.

Follow the bridges for a scenic walk around the rocky islets at Semers Park. Though the swimming season is short, the park also has a sandy beach for those summer days when you need to cool off. Semers is on the shore of Shagawa Lake, just west of town.

The Kawishiwi Falls Hiking Trail offers a pretty big pay-off for not a lot of effort. The trail is less than a mile long and leads to an up-close view of the dramatic falls. While the trail is easy, the ledge over the falls is unprotected, so this might not be the best hike for small children. To get there, take Highway 169 northeast from downtown Ely until it turns into Fernberg Road, and watch for signs on your left.

Outfitters

At last count there were over 20 outfitters in Ely, all waiting to set you up with everything you need for a Boundary Waters canoe trip. About half are members of Ely Outfitters, whose helpful website (www.canoecapital.com) lets you choose an outfitter from a map or a comparison chart. The following three, each conveniently located right in town, are some of the most highly recommended.

Ely’s very first canoe company, Wilderness Outfitters (1 Camp St. E., 218/365-3211 or 800/777-8572, www.wildernessoutfitters.com, 6 a.m.–9 p.m. daily May–Oct.) started leading travelers into the wild in 1921.

Piragis Northwoods Company (105 Central Ave. N., 218/365-6745 or 800/223-6565, www.piragis.com, 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily summer, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily winter) also operates a large outdoors store, so you can test a canoe on your trip before purchasing it.

Voyageur North Outfitters (1829 Sheridan E., 218/365-3251 or 800/848-5530, www.vnorth.com) has their own bait shop.

It seems a shame to spend any time golfing when you are so close to such wonderful wilderness, but if you must, the nine-hole course at the Ely Golf Club (901 Central Ave. S., 218/365-5932, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, $18 for 9 holes, $25 for 18 holes) is there for you.