Adventure Awaits
At Camp Three Pines, your journey begins with more than just a place to stay. It’s a chance to explore the wild Northwoods, fish our pristine waters, hike scenic trails, and reconnect with nature in its purest form. See why your next unforgettable getaway starts here.
Shagawa Lake
Shagawa Lake is a 2,344 acre lake adjacent to the City of Ely. It features over 20 miles of shoreline, numerous islands, and a maximum depth of 48 feet. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and enjoying the natural scenery of the region. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including walleye, northern, bass, perch, crappie and bluegill.
BWCAW
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a 1.09 million acre protected wilderness in northeastern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest. Spanning 150 miles along the Canadian border, adjacent to Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park. The BWCAW is renowned for its extensive interconnected lakes, streams, and pristine forests, offering over 1,200 miles of canoe routes.
International Dark Sky Sanctuary
The nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota is a premier International Dark Sky Sanctuary, designated in 2020 for its exceptional nocturnal environment. Encompassing over 1 million acres of Superior National Forest, it is one of the darkest, most remote locations in the world.
North American Bear Center
Located just outside Ely, the nonprofit educational center is dedicated to helping people better understand black bears through science, observation, and hands-on learning. The resident “ambassador bears” live in a natural environment where guests can observe their behavior, swimming, foraging, and interacting just as they would in the wild.
International Wolf Center
Ely, Minnesota, is a renowned "End of the Road" town serving as the primary gateway to the 1-million-acre BWCAW. Located in the Superior National Forest, Ely is famed for its pristine lakes, rugged wilderness, and outdoor adventures like canoeing, fishing, hiking, and dog sledding. Named a "Coolest Small Town in America" for its mix of rustic charm, community and access to nature.
Ely Regional Trailhead Center
The nonprofit education center is dedicated to helping people understand wolves, their behavior, and the important role they play in the natural ecosystem. Visitors can watch the center’s ambassador gray wolves through large viewing windows overlooking a natural outdoor habitat. Inside the center, interactive exhibits, videos, and displays explore wolf biology, wolf conservation, and the long relationship between wolves and humans.
Coolest Small Town in America
The Ely Regional Trailhead is a modern, four-season facility located at the western entrance of Ely, Minnesota. Serving as a premier hub for outdoor recreation. This new facility connects major trails like the Mesabi Trail, Taconite Snowmobile Trail, and Prospector Loop ATV Trail. It offers ADA-accessible restrooms, changing areas, informational kiosks, and charging stations.
Dorothy Molter Museum
Dorothy Molter—often called the “Root Beer Lady”—was the last legal resident of the wilderness area that later became the BWCAW. Inside the museum, exhibits and photographs share stories of Dorothy’s life, her connection to the Boundary Waters, and what it was like to live alone in the Northwoods for decades. Visitors can even sample Dorothy’s original root beer recipe, which is still made and served at the museum today.