Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)

Welcome to the Kawishiwi Ranger District! Located in Ely, Minnesota, our LEED-certified office is designed to protect the environment we all cherish.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Here's what that means for our building:
- Local and recycled materials: We minimize our environmental impact by using resources close to home and giving new life to old materials.
- Energy-efficient lighting: Automatic lights that turn off when not in use reduce our energy consumption.
- Water conservation: Low-flow toilets help us use less water, a precious resource.
- Sustainable landscaping: Plants around our building filter rainwater, keeping our waterways clean.
- Low-emission carpet and paint: We prioritize healthy indoor air quality for our staff and visitors.
By making these choices, we're committed to doing our part for a sustainable future. Visit us in Ely and explore the beauty of the Kawishiwi Ranger District
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Office hours and information |
---|---|
Operated By: | Forest Service |
Information Center: | Kawishiwi Ranger District Email | Call | Address | Webpage |
General Information
Accessibility:Visitor center is accessible.
Directions:
From the south, continue on Highway 169 and drive through the town of Ely. About 1/2 mile out of town look for the sign on the left hand side.
Activities
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Fall Lake Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Sand Lake Rustic Campground
- South Kawishiwi River Campground
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Fall Lake Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- South Kawishiwi River Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Agassa Lake
- August Lake
- Bear Island Lake
- Big Lake
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Circle Route
- Dragon Lake
- Glacier Pond 2
- Johnson Lake
- Nels Lake
- Norway Lake
- Ojibway and Triangle Lakes
- Pickerel Lake
- Picket Lake
- Sand Lake
- Tofte Lake
Cabin Rentals
Areas for Cabin Rentals at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Agassa Lake
- August Lake
- Bear Island Lake
- Big Lake
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Circle Route
- Dragon Lake
- Fall Lake Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacier Pond 1
- Glacier Pond 2
- Johnson Lake
- Ojibway and Triangle Lakes
- One Pine Boat Access
- Sand Lake
- Tofte Lake
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Viewing Wildlife
Visitor Centers
While the Kawishiwi Ranger District office is not a Visitor Center, there are some interpretive displays and staff is on hand to supply information, issue BWCAW permits, and otherwise answer visitor questions.
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
Boating - Motorized
Areas for Boating - Motorized at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Agassa Lake
- August Lake
- Bear Island Lake
- Big Lake
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Circle Route
- Dragon Lake
- Fall Lake Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacier Pond 1
- Glacier Pond 2
- Johnson Lake
- Ojibway and Triangle Lakes
- One Pine Boat Access
- Sand Lake
- South Kawishiwi River Campground
- Tofte Lake
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Agassa Lake
- August Lake
- Bear Island Lake
- Big Lake
- Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Circle Route
- Dragon Lake
- Fall Lake Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacier Pond 1
- Glacier Pond 2
- Johnson Lake
- Ojibway and Triangle Lakes
- One Pine Boat Access
- Sand Lake
- South Kawishiwi River Campground
- Tofte Lake
Swimming
Areas for Swimming at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)
- Kawishiwi Winter Recreation Trails
- Angleworm - Hegman Lakes Ski Route
- Birch Lake Pine Plantation Ski Trails
- Hidden Valley & Extension Cross Country Ski Trails
- North Junction Ski Trails
- Trezona Ski Trail
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Kawishiwi Ranger District (Ely MN)