We stayed in the Sheridan House for two nights and did a morning canoe trip with Jake. As novices,…read morethis was a great and easy trip where you feel a little rugged for a measly city slicker. The location is about 9 minutes from town. He is very knowledgeable and adventurous. He had a lot of good stories, was a good teacher with paddling and was very chill. I would definitely organize another trip with them. Because we are novices and were in a three-person canoe, Jake did all of our brief portages. Safety was the highest priority. He was very mindful for us to not rush the experience.

My sister and I went on 2 half day canoe trips with them. Jake and Tommy were great guides! From…read moreour first contact with them the service was personalized and professional. Not only were our trips beautiful, safe, and fun, but they were educational as well. Jake was very informative about the flora, fauna, and history of the area. We learned a lot more than we expected to! I had high expectations for our trips and I am happy to say that my expectations were exceeded. I would highly recommend this outfitter to anyone looking to spend time in the Boundry waters!

Been renting cabin for years. Entire family goes there. Bruce takes care of us at the cabin. It…read moreis quiet and easy assess to the lake. Great fishing. They also have camping spaces and RV spaces

My Boy Scout troop had an amazing experience in the Boundary Waters (June 2025) with the fantastic…read morehelp from Canoe Country Outfitters. From taking care of our permits, to preparing our gear, food, and everything, CCO was the best from start to finish. They made planning the trip so easy for my group. The food they provided us for 1 week in the Boundary Waters was great and easy to carry and prepare. At the end of our trip when one bag was left at the final portage, Brian took a boat back and found it for us. What amazing service and care! Thank you to the whole CCO team for organizing our trip.

This is the best kayak/canoe outfitter in Minnesota. Chuck is very knowledgeable and knows…read moreeverything imaginable about securing kayaks/canoes to your vehicle. I would highly recommend this business.

From the owner: Spring Creek Outfitters is conveniently located 3 miles west of Hwy 53 in Mountain Iron, Minnesota…read more Stop in on your way to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and check out the huge selection of Canoes, Kayaks and Accessories. Our staff will be happy to answer your questions, let you demo a canoe or kayak, and outfit you for your next trip. Spring Creek Outfitters provides you with the brand names that you've grown to trust at prices you can afford - all with a level of service that will amaze you!

Awesome experience! If dog sledding is on your bucket list, then this is the place for you!…read more Kathleen Anderson and Chris Heeter are marvelous hostesses and teachers. Kathleen has lived off the grid for many, many years. She clearly loves her dogs and they love her. Took the day trip with my cousin and there was never a dull moment. Covid is taken very seriously and every precaution is taken for the safety of the guests and the hosts. Guests have the opportunity to not only take a memorable sled ride but also help with feeding and preparing the dogs for the run. They live to run and are clearly some of the healthiest and happiest dogs I have ever encountered. If you are thinking about a new adventure, do this! You will not be sorry. It is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life! Go....mush!

I was looking for a quiet getaway in the north woods when I got a recommendation from another…read moremusher. I am soooooooo glad I came! If you want to be truly immersed into the mushing, off-grid, subsistence lifestyle, this is it! I've been to a few outfitters in my long life, and this one takes the cake. Kathleen is so warm and inviting; incredibly knowledgeable about the Lake Superior/Boreal region; current issues, culture and history. She is the true outdoors woman. You will not be disappointed! Make sure you indulge in the Saturday night sauna!! ahhhh Heaven!

Best outfitters ever. Been going to the same place for 30 years. Will keep going back. Everything…read moreis high-quality, especially the canoes.

This is the best outfitter in Ely. We have been coming here for a very long time and they still…read moretake great care of us. I went out for a 3 day with my 8 year old son and we had everything we needed to have a safe and fun time. I highly recommend Canadian Waters.

Kayaked out to the sea caves yesterday and had a fabulous day!! Jared was our guide and he provided…read moretop-notch service before, during, and after the tour! Highly recommend taking a paddle with this company if you're in the area!

Had a wonderful trip our first time sea kayaking, would definitely do it again! Jared was a…read morefantastic guide, and enjoyed the experience of a small operator vs a big group. The sea caves are gorgeous and other-worldly. Highly recommend!

Blake is incredibly knowledgeable and provides education throughout your adventure!…read moreWe did a family adventure with dog sledding and horses. I highly recommend!!!

I have never been dog sledding before but I wanted to do it before I got older. This was an…read moreamazing experience. We looked around and my wife found Positive Energy and we decided to book a weekend in Duluth so we could go dog sledding. We got all of our warm gear ready and headed out. When we arrived we were greeted by the owner and one of the dogs. Next we got a lesson on sleds and dog teams. Walking into the dog area we got to meet all of the dogs. Then we got to harness them and get them set on the rope of each sled. We learned a lot about dogs and the history of sledding the whole time were were there from the staff. They make sure you really understand everything and take the time to answer every question you have. We did the 3 hour tour and it was amazing!!! We got on the sleds as passengers and after about 25 min mine stopped and I got to drive. Wow was it fun, driving a dog sled on my own across a frozen lake. It was a lot more work than I expected but worth every second. After we were done sledding we helped get the dogs off of the sleds, they got treats and we helped get them back to each dogs house. I recommend Positive Energy to anyone wanting to try dogsledding. The staff and the dogs are amazing!

We spent 4 wonderful days and 3 nights in the BWCA with an amazing guide, Dave Freeman, whose…read moreknowledge, experience, and hospitality made this a trip an experience of a lifetime. Due to his extensive time in the BWCA he knew each river, lake, portage path, and campsite. He carefully chose our daily route based on our needs and the water and weather conditions. Dave taught us about the animals we saw and heard. He also provided tips on canoeing. And each wilderness meal he prepared was delicious. We traveled from California to visit Lake Superior and knew we wanted to experience the beauty of the Boundary Waters wilderness with experienced guides. After some research, we chose Ely Outfitting Company and were so glad we did. The Ely Outfitter team helped us select a route and guided us through the permit process. They were always available for questions or revisions via email and phone calls. We chose the fully guided option as we were flying in and didn't want to hassle with all the equipment. From the thoroughness of the gear provided to the menu that the Ely Outfitting team put together based on our selections, the experience came off without a hitch. We highly recommend booking a trip with the Ely Outfitting Company. We're already considering how and when we might return to travel this magical place with Ely Outfitters.

Ely Outfitting Company should be your only choice for any Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventure…read more I recently booked a fully outfitted, professionally guided trip through EOC, and every aspect was exceptional. The gear was top-of-the-line, well-maintained, and spotlessly clean--tents, sleeping bags, pillows, all of it! The food was plentiful, delicious, and offered a surprising variety for a backcountry trip. What truly sets EOC apart, though, is the people. Amy in the office was kind, responsive, and efficient--before, during, and after our trip. The outfitting team that got us set up and checked us in afterward was equally friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. And then there's our guide, Dave Freeman. I expected a skilled and experienced leader when I heard he was a National Geographic Explorer of the Year--but that title alone doesn't capture how perfect he was for our family. This trip was a memorial journey to honor our dad, and we had some very specific hopes for the experience. Dave truly listened and helped us make every part of it meaningful. He kept us safe, made it fun, and became part of our family along the way... even if he does cheat at Uno. Ely Outfitting Company--and especially Dave Freeman--are the absolute best in the BWCA. I wouldn't go with anyone else.