Rustic lakefront lodge in Ely, MN with private bathrooms, full kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and parking. Close to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest.
Recent visitors highlight the welcoming hosts, convenient lakefront location, and quality outdoor equipment, making this lodge a top choice for Boundary Waters explorers and family getaways.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Kawishiwi Lodge & Outfitters offers rustic lodge accommodations situated on the shore of Lake One, adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The property features simple bunkhouse-style quarters equipped with private bathrooms and full kitchens, providing a functional base for guests looking to enjoy the outdoors. A beach area adds to the appeal for those seeking lakeside relaxation or water activities.
Facilities include free Wi-Fi and parking, with a focus on family-friendly services, though no on-site restaurant or fitness center is available. The lodge’s setting is well-suited for visitors aiming to explore nearby natural attractions, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, and Snowbank Lake, all known for hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping opportunities.
Guest reviews highlight the helpfulness of the hosts and the efficient canoe and kayak rental service, which simplifies access to waterways without requiring guests to load equipment onto vehicles. The lodge is praised for its clean accommodations and functional amenities, making it a practical choice for those interested in outdoor adventures like paddling and fishing. Families appreciate the kid-friendly atmosphere and space for children to play.
Located approximately 20 miles from Ely, MN, and about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car from Range Regional Airport, Kawishiwi Lodge & Outfitters is a convenient option for travelers seeking direct access to wilderness activities. Nearby lodging options offer alternatives for visitors exploring this region.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
We had a fun time in cabin 9. We caught our fill of walleye, bass and northerns. Frank and Jake were super hosts.
We had a great trip in BWCA and a big part of that was Frank and Kawishiwi Outfitters. Excellent equipment, friendly service, and great location right on the water. Frank suggested a great route and we thoroughly enjoyed our adventure! Can’t recommend these guys enough!
Just finished a 4 day trip into the Boundary Waters. We were outfitted by Kawishiwi Lodge and Outfitters and it was worth every penny. The first night we stayed at one of the bunk houses then left the next morning. Accommodations were comfortable and clean with great views from the beach. There was wifi available at the lodge if you need to research any last minute trip details or weather updates. Frank the owner met us early in the morning to get us our packs, canoes, and was super helpful providing feedback on routes or last minute questions. All equipment was high quality, functioned well, and met our needs. The meals provided were good camp meals and didn't require us to pack ice which kept our weight down. In total we did just shy of 40 miles of canoeing in the Boundary Waters, had no issues with the equipment, and had a blast. Checkout was quick and even got to take a shower before our long drive home, which was definitely appreciated! Frank- Thanks for an awesome adventure, our family will definitely be back.
Very pleasant experience. Frank was very helpful and a nice guy to talk to about what to expect. Highly recommend Kawishiwi Outfitters.
This was our first visit to Kawishiwi Lodge and we were not disappointed! Frank and Nicole were welcoming and friendly. The cabins were cozy and adorable. View from the living area and master bedroom spectacular! Spacious kitchen which made cooking a breeze. Fishing, swimming, hiking/walks, bike riding, canoeing all right there. Beds were super comfortable. Our kids had so much fun playing with Frank and Nicole's kids on the playground. We have found our new "go-to" family vacation spot! Thank you, Frank and Nicole, for a great time!
Awesome place run by Frank and his family!!! Highly recommended, peaceful, relaxing and well run. Paddle Lake One and beyond, fish and enjoy. No better family in the business!!!
Rented canoes with Kawishiwi Lodge and Outfitters for our trip. It was very easy, we were able to pull up to the shore, load canoes, and get right on the water. For a trip with kids, not needing to load canoes onto vehicles before and after was convenient. No trouble with any part of the process, and we had a great trip.
Spent some time here over the years as a kid, was a really fun place to just get out into the wilderness and enjoy nature-- it is very out of the way, but it's really cool for anyone who appreciates "roughing it" moreso. The Cabin Lodges are quaint, with functional amenities. The Lakes are beautiful and the water is clean, picturesque landscape! There are Canoe and Kayak rentals, so you can plan some outings with portage between the various surrounding Lakes. Be careful of the wildlife!!!! NEVER get close to the Moose that are abundant in the area, and be careful about Black Widow Spiders and Bullhead Fish that have Whisker Stingers should you decide to go swimming. The Fishing is good, there are Loons, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Deer, and all kinds of Northwoods Flora and Fauna to enjoy. Good memories!
Set on Lake One, these straightforward lodge bunkhouses adjoin the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. They are 20.8 miles from Ely.
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