Recreation

Ely, Minnesota is best known for its location in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, perched on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA, a preserved wilderness area. Each year, thousands of people come to visit to take advantage of the 500 lakes contained in a 20-mile radius around the town. For more information on Ely's tourism industry, please visit the Ely Chamber of Commerce.

Yes, visiting is fun. But living here is even better. Ely has year-round activities, both indoors and out.

Summer activities

With lakes and woods abounding, and weather that is often much cooler than other locales, Ely is an obvious summer destination.  Those who live here fill their summers with backyard barbeques, camping trips, fishing, beach parties, boat rides, bonfires, summer sports, and, usually, a lot of company from friends wanting to come visit!  Some sports facilities include:

• Ely Little League Field (Ely Little League)
• Veterans Memorial Field (Ely Baseball Association)
• Semers city beach and park
• Golf course (9 hole)
• Tennis courts (2 public)
• Softball complex
• College Sports: Vermilion Community College
• Parks/Forests
  • Three City Parks
  • Superior National Forest - surrounds Ely - 3 million acres
  • Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) -2 million acres
• Trails - in and around Ely are some fabulous hiking and biking trails 
• Canoeing, boating, sailing, scuba diving, water skiing, swimming, fishing in our abundant supply of lakes, many with public access
  
• Camping: Private and public campgrounds

Winter activities

Like the black bear of the north woods, Ely might appear to hibernate from October until the end of April. But there are a host of activities and festivities in Ely's equally beautiful winter season: snowmobiling, sleddogging, ice fishing, skiing (both downhill and cross country), and, of course, hockey. Some of the city's facilities include:

• Hidden Valley Winter Recreation Area - cross country skiing/snow boarding
• Ely Nordic Ski Club
  
• Lincoln Rink - City outdoor skating rink
  
• Ely Ice Arena (Ely Blue Line Club) - indoor ice skating, hockey
  
• Taconite Trail - snowmobile
  
• Tomahawk Trail - snowmobile to Grand Marais
  
• Mesabi Trail - bike, ski, and hiking trails - planned 135 miles to Grand Rapids
  
• School gymnasiums(3) (Ely Hoops Club)
  
• Water activities: Ely High School Pool (Swim Clubs)
• Ice Fishing on the many lakes located around Ely.
• Hunting - small and large game - license information

Year 'round 

Whether the weather is on your side or not, there's always some indoor recreation in Ely.

• Movie theatre: State Theater
• Studio North Fitness Center
• Ely Bowling Center - 8 lanes, leagues