Cabin & Resort FAQs

When was the resort built?
What is a ‘housekeeping’ cabin?
Is there any fee for bringing our own boats and using your docks?
Are boats and docking space available?
Where can I launch my boat and park the trailer?
Are we allowed to have a campfire at our cabin?
Can we bring firewood from home to your resort?
Are dogs allowed ; if so, what is the fee?
What are the lodge hours?
How do I make a reservation? What is the required deposit?
Can we set up a tent at our cabin?
How do I check-in on my arrival day?
What time is Check-In and Check-Out times?
Do you offer late Check-outs?
What if I need to cancel my reservation?
How far are you from Ely?
Can friends come visit me at my cabin?
Do you offer an internet connection?
Is there a place to swim at the resort?
What is the closest commercial airport and what lines service it?
What clothes should I pack?
How far is it to…?
Do you have public laundry facilities?
What is cell phone service like at the resort?
Do you provide smoke-free cabins?
Do you have telephones and televisions in your cabins?
What forms of payment do you accept?
May we burn candles in our cabin?
How is the water quality?

Ely, MN Area FAQ’s

What type of medical facilities are available in Ely?
What are the average temperatures in Ely?
What area activities are there in the Ely Area?
What are the area’s major events?
What is peak time for fall colors?
What type of wildlife might I see in Ely?
Where can I go to view wildlife?
What type of churches are in the Ely Area?
Is golfing available in the Ely Area?
When can I view the Northern Lights?

Cabin & Resort Answers

Q: When was the resort built?
A: The original owners built the first cabin (Bear Paw Cabin) in 1968 and lived in it while the lodge/living quarters were built. After they moved into the living quarters, they rented out the original cabin and continued to build 4 additional lakeside cabins and became Ojibway Resort. All the lakeside cabins are approximately the same size with 2 bedrooms (they differ in sleeping configurations – some have bunk beds, others full size beds). We are the 4th owners and since our ownership started in 2002, we’ve changed the name to Moose Track Adventures and fully remodeled each lakeside cabin with tongue/groove interiors, all new windows, doors, log & pine furniture and steel roofs. The fall/winter of 2018, a new 4-bedroom lake home was built where the original 4 site campground once was and added to the rental program in May 2019.
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Q: What is a ‘housekeeping’ cabin and what’s included in the cabin?
A: A housekeeping cabin is a rental cabin that is fully equipped with everything you will need to cook and serve food including: pots and pans, glasses, cups, plates, silverware, cooking utensils, and a 10 cup drip electric coffee maker. Click here to see full list of amenities. You do need to bring your bath/kitchen towels, kitchen scrubbie (for washing dishes) and charcoal (each cabin has its own charcoal grill).
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Q: Is there any fee for bringing our own boats and using your docks?
A: Each cabin guest is welcome to bring their own boats and there is no ‘dock’ fee per boat. Guest’s boats must be kept at the dock at your cabin they are renting or at the main dock.
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Q: Are boats and docking space available?
A: Yes, we have 16′ boats/25hp motors. They can be rented full day or weekly. Advanced reservation is requested, but depending on time of year, not always necessary. The docks at the cabins can accommodate 16′ boats.
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Q: Where can I launch my boat and park the trailer?
A: Farm Lake Public Access is located approximately .2 miles from our driveway and has a nice landing for launching all size boats. There is a designated area for parking trailers on our property.
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Q: Are we allowed to have a campfire at our cabin?
A: Absolutely!! Each cabin has its own fire ring. We sell firewood bundles at the lodge or they sell bundles in town at gas stations. Gathering downed firewood or cutting live trees on our property is NOT allowed! Please note that fires are permitted only if conditions are not too dry
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Q: Can we bring firewood from home to your resort?
A: No. Because firewood from other areas may harbor invasive insects (such as emerald ash & gypsy moth) and disease pathogens that can harm our trees and forests, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has recommended that you don’t transport firewood to other areas.
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Q: Are dogs allowed ; if so, what is the fee?
A: Dogs are allowed in our 2-bedroom cabins. Our new 4-bedroom lake home DOES NOT allow pets.
A maximum of two dogs are allowed per cabins and our Pet Policy needs to be followed. $25 per night/dog
**** PLEASE KEEP IN MIND – IF WE FIND THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR DOG INSIDE THE CABIN UNATTENDED, YOU WILL BE DEPARTING THAT SAME DAY AS SOON AS YOU GET BACK TO YOUR CABIN – NO EXCEPTIONS ****
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Q: What are the lodge hours?
A: Our lodge is opened from 8am to 6pm.
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Q: How do I make a reservation? What is the required deposit?
A: A telephone call or email can secure a reservation. Available dates/prices/# in party can be exchanged initially, then we will need your name/address/phone number to complete the reservation process. A 50% deposit for cabin accommodations is required at the time of making the reservation to guarantee which needs to be made by a check or money order. At the time of arrival, the balance can be paid with Visa/Mastercard, check or cash. There is a 3.5% credit card surcharge.
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Q: Can we set up a tent at our cabin?
A: We DO NOT allow camping tents & RV’s to be parked at cabins as ‘sleeping areas’. Screen tents that are put around the picnic tables are allowed.
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Q: How do I check-in on my arrival day?
A: When you arrive we ask that you check in at the lodge. The balance of your stay will be paid at this time and the Resort Rules & Policies will be gone over.
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Q: What time is Check-In and Check-Out times?
A: Check-In is after 2pm and Check-Out is before 9am.
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Q: Do you offer late Check-outs?
A: Unfortunately during the peak season it is very unlikely that we can offer a late checkout. Please check with the office the morning of your departure just in case.
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Q: What if I need to cancel my reservation?
A:

If we are able to rebook the entire vacancy created by your cancellation, your deposit will be refunded with the value of the new booking (basically if we have to discount your spot to resell it then your refund is reduced by the same discount)
If we only get a partial re-booking of your vacancy – you will not receive your deposit back.
If we cannot rebook the vacancy, regardless of when you cancel, you will not receive your deposit back.

If you are concerned about losing your deposit due to a cancellation, we suggest getting trip insurance. One option is Travel Guard

Because of our small size, cancellations affect us significantly. Therefore, we adhere to our cancellation and refund policies, no exceptions.
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Q: How far are you from Ely?
A: We are approximately 7 miles southeast of Ely, MN. Follow 169 through the center of Ely (from Tower) and take a right onto County Road 16 (Kawishiwi Trail). Approximately 4.5 miles down on the left you will see our road sign and driveway.
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Q: Can friends come visit me at my cabin?
A: We do allow day visitors. Please advise your guests in advance that there is a visitors fee. If they stay for less than 1 hour there is no charge. If they stay longer there is a $20.00 per person/day fee. The visitors fee does include all of our amenities. All visitors must leave by 10:00 PM. Visitors will also be instructed at the time they check in where to park their vehicles (top of the driveway where boat trailers are parked). We ask that visitors DO NOT bring any pets.
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Q: Do you offer an internet connection?
A: We do offer a wireless internet connection at ‘no charge’ to our guest. We don’t have many internet choices where we live – some days are better than others.
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Q: Is there a place to swim at the resort?
A: There is a swimming platform off the main dock (which has a ladder to get back up to the main dock). For young kids, we recommend you rent either the Moose Antler & Wolf Den cabins – as the sandy beach that is located between these 2 cabins is strictly for the people renting these 2 cabins.
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Q: What are the closest commercial airports and what lines service them?
A:
Hibbing International Airport is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes away.
***Delta, Northwest & Continental
Duluth International Airport is approximately 2 hours away.
***Delta, Northwest & Continental
Minneapolis International Airport is approximately 4.5 hours away.
***Delta, Northwest, Continental, American, Sun Country, AirTran, US Airways, Midwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
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Q: What clothes should I pack?
A: Ely, MN is known for its changing weather. It is still a good idea to bring the appropriate seasonal clothing. Layering is always a good idea, especially if you are planning on being outdoors or in the wilderness.
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Q: How far is it to…?
A:
Ely———10 minutes
Tower—-30 minutes
Orr——–55 minutes
Virginia—55 minutes
Duluth —-2 hours
Minneapolis Airport – 4.5 hours
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Q: Do you have public laundry facilities?
A: No, we do not offer a public laundry facility. Ely is a short drive away has 2 Laundromats that have large washer/dryers and one also offers dry cleaning.
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Q: What is cell phone service like at the resort?
A: If you have AT&T cellular service your phone reception is great at the cabins and lodge. Other carriers might work in Ely, at the top of our driveway or out on the lake.
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Q: Do you provide smoke-free cabins?
A: Yes. Our entire resort is non-smoking. We do allow smoking on decks and outside on the grounds and ask the cigarettes/cigar butts be disposed of in either a garbage can or in the cans placed outside the cabins.
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Q: Do you have telephones and televisions in your cabins?
A: No, we do not have telephones or televisions in our cabins. Most of our guests welcome this respite from the outside world.
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Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept all Visa/Mastercard credit cards, personal checks ((during a 7 day stay only) and cash. A 3.5% credit card processing fee is charged. We do require a credit card upon check-in for damage deposit/cleaning fee during your stay.
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Q: May we burn candles in our cabin?
A: For the safety of everyone, we ask that you refrain from burning candles inside our cabins.
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Q: How is the water quality?
A: Moose Track Adventures Resort is on well water, and it is of excellent quality. The water is sampled quarterly and analyzed by a Minnesota state lab.
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Q: What type of medical facilities are available in Ely?
A: The Duluth Clinic-Ely is part of the St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic Health System. The clinic offers laboratory and x-ray services. Currently six family practice physicians are on the staff. The Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital is a 39 bed hospital with a cardiac unit and 24 hour ambulance services. Also available are four dentists, two optometrists and two pharmacies.
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Q: What are the average temperatures in Ely?
A: The average highs (degrees Fahrenheit) are:
January   5.1
February 20.4
March 32.7
April 53.9
May   69.6
June 71.7
July   79.2
August 72.0
September 63.2
October   53.1
November 38.3
December   12.6
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Q: What area activities are there in the Ely Area?
A: Canoeing/Boating, Fishing Hiking, Biking, Water skiing/Swimming, Sailing, Bird watching, Cross country skiing
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Q: What are the area’s major events?
A: The major area events include the Blueberry Art Festival, Fall Harvest Moon Festival, the Voyageur Winter Festival, the Embarrass Region Fair, the Spirit of the Wolf Sled Dog Race.
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Q: What is peak time for fall colors?
A: Fall colors usually peak late September/early October.
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Q: What type of wildlife might I see in Ely?
A: Ely is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Everyday species include ducks, geese, songbirds, chipmunks, squirrels, seagulls, etc. The area also boasts large populations of bald eagles, osprey and ruffed grouse. The most common of the big-game animals is the white-tail deer, but there are frequent sightings of the black bear, moose, and wolf.
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Q: Where can I go to view wildlife?
A: Wildlife is prevalent throughout the Ely area. You are bound to see a wide variety of wildlife whether canoeing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, relaxing at a lodging facility, or just sightseeing. You have a good chance of seeing wildlife while driving scenic Highway 1, the Fernberg Road, and the Echo Trail. Wildlife can also be spotted while boating, canoeing, and hiking. Usually the best time of the day to view wildlife is sunrise or near sunset.
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Q: What type of churches are in the Ely Area?
A: The Ely area is represented by many religious denominations and churches including, but not limited to, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, and Jehovah Witness. List of Ely churches.

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Q: Is golfing available in the Ely Area?
A: Yes, there are two golf courses in the Ely area. The Ely Golf Course is a 9-hole, 3,245 yard, par 36 course. The Babbitt Golf Course is also a 9-hole course, par 35 and 3,316 yard course.
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Q: When can I view the Northern Lights?
A: The northern lights can be seen throughout the year, but are more prevalent in the fall and winter. The best place to view them is from waters edge on any of the many lakes in the area.
More information available here: //www.swpc.noaa.gov/Aurora/index.html