BWCA canoe outfitting/rental for groups & solos. Affordable, light weight new equipment, lodging
Do you remember the last time you watched a sunrise in the quiet of the morning or caught a big fish? How about sitting next to a campfire on a summer night and hearing the call of a loon? Recreate your memories in one of the best wilderness areas in the world...the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Spirit of the Wilderness is a world-class full-service canoe outfitter, providing light-weight canoes/kayaks/SUP Boards, high quality name-brand equipment, live bait and tackle, retail outdoor clothing/footwear, gifts and more. We provide services for groups, solo travelers and fly-ins for the BWCA and Quetico Parks.
At Spirit of the Wilderness we start with you and your vision; tailoring our outfitting services to meet your expectations of a trip into the wilderness by canoeing or hiking.
Call us today to start planning your wilderness trip.
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Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Since 1999
What is your primary product or service?
Ecotours of the northwoods, Canoe outfitting, rental, retail fishing tackle, live bait, outdoor clothing & footwear, camping gear. We service the central to western area of the BWCAW and Canada's Quetico Park.
We offer ground transportation from Duluth and Hibbing Airports and all BWCA entry points. Tow boat service on Moose Lake to Pairie Portage on to Basswood Lake, Snowbank Lake, and Burntside Lake to Crab Lake Portage.
Bunkhouse service within walking distance of our Ely based facility.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
My first canoe trips was in 1964, traveling the area for a 12 day period. I became "hooked" and have introduced numerous youth and adults to the BWCA ever since.
As a former science teacher, pharmaceutical sales representative & marketing director I have used my skills to welcome our guests and provide quality experiences.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We utilize a simple approach...greet each and every guest to our facility, engage them is what we offer by asking about their needs and interests. We enhance their experience with us with humor and above all thank each customer for doing business with us.
We offer ecotours of the BWCA, seminars at major sportshows, business meetings and to large groups, i.e. boy scouts, girl scouts, youth groups, womens groups.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
1 location in Ely on the "upper East end."
Expansion will come in providing additional services.
Provide detailed directions to your location
East end of Ely on Sheridan Street. 2 blocks east of Hwy 1 and Sheridan Sreet intersection. 1/4 mile west of the USFS Kawishiwi ranger stations and International Wolf Center
What type of payments do you accept?
Of course cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discovercard.
Which areas do you service?
Central to Western BWCA, Quetico.
Transportations from Duluth, Hibbing, Minneapolis/St Paul area, International Falls.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
K and S Group LLC, dba Spirit of the Wilderness
Family owned and operated by Steve, Kathy and Virginia Nelson
What are your hours of operation?
6 am - 9 pm, Daily, May - October
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
You made planning and experiencing a BWCA or Quetico adventure simple. The memories we made will last a lifetime.