Ely Outfitting Co
Ely Outfitting Company is a privately-held Ely, Minnesota outfitter providing canoe trip outfitting, ultralight gear rentals, camp food, guided wilderness trips, shuttles, and bunkhouse lodging for visitors to the Boundary Waters and Quetico wilderness regions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersEly, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ely Outfitting Co does
Ely Outfitting Company is a privately-held, single-location outdoor recreation outfitter based in Ely, Minnesota, operating since at least 2008 and owned by Jason Zabokrtsky. The company provides end-to-end canoe trip outfitting and guided wilderness experiences for visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota and Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. Core products include complete and partial outfitting packages (ultralight Kevlar canoes, camping gear, locally sourced camp food), equipment rentals, professionally guided canoe trips, ground shuttles and motorboat tows, on-site bunkhouse lodging, and ancillary items such as gift cards and used Kevlar canoes for sale. Supporting technology is limited to a free web-based custom route planning questionnaire, an online reservation system, and content-driven marketing assets (blog, YouTube, Instagram, email newsletter); there is no software platform or AI capability.
The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer one-time transactional revenue across outfitting packages, guided trips, rentals, shuttles, and lodging, with quote-based pricing for packages and unit pricing disclosed for bunkhouse stays ($25/night/person). Go-to-market is sales-led through the physical storefront at 529 E. Sheridan Street plus phone and online reservation channels, supported by an extensive content marketing footprint and customer review presence across Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Facebook. Customer segments span families, friend groups, self-guided experienced paddlers, guided-trip customers, and group/organizational clients (church youth groups, scouts), with cross-border reach into Canada via Quetico trips.
The operation is highly seasonal, with summer hours running May 8 – September 20, 7am–6pm daily, consistent with the BWCAW permit season. Strategic positioning emphasizes owner-led personal service, deep BWCAW/Quetico domain expertise, conservation advocacy, and partnerships including REI Experiences (as exclusive BWCAW program vendor) and PBS "Outside Chance" media. The company has no disclosed funding, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no enterprise customer concentration — revenue is distributed across many small-ticket consumer bookings.
Ely Outfitting Co firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ely Outfitting Co
- Legal name
- Ely Outfitting Company
- Website
- https://elyoutfittingcompany.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ely Outfitting Company is a privately-held Ely, Minnesota outfitter providing canoe trip outfitting, ultralight gear rentals, camp food, guided wilderness trips, shuttles, and bunkhouse lodging for visitors to the Boundary Waters and Quetico wilderness regions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ely Outfitting Co industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equipment Rental & Outfitter Services (Camping Gear, Boats, Bikes, Mobility Aids) (THAAAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & Canoeing Outfitters (THAAADAB), Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA)
Keywords
Where Ely Outfitting Co is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ely
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ely Outfitting Co business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Outfitting Packages: Full and partial outfitting packages providing canoes, camping equipment, and trail food for self-guided Boundary Waters canoe trips.
- Guided Trips: Expert-guided canoe trips with experienced outdoor educators, savvy anglers, and knowledgeable guides.
- Equipment Rentals: Canoe and camping equipment rentals for customers who have their own gear.
- Bunkhouse Lodging: On-site bunkhouse accommodations adjacent to the outfitter shop for pre and post-trip stays.
- Shuttle Services: Ground shuttles and motorboat tows to transport customers to BWCA entry points.
- Gift Cards: Printed gift cards on colorful cardstock with Boundary Waters photography, sold in customizable amounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bunkhouse lodging near outfitter shop |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Complete Outfitting Package |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Partial Outfitting Packages |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Canoe and Equipment Rentals |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Guided Trips |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ely Outfitting Co product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ely Outfitting Company provides canoe trip outfitting, equipment rentals, trail food, bunkhouse lodging, shuttle services, and guided wilderness trips for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial Park visitors from its Ely, Minnesota storefront. Offerings include complete packages combining ultralight Kevlar canoes, camping gear, and locally sourced camp food, plus partial packages, individual rentals, and professionally guided trips.
Product overview
Ely Outfitting Company operates as a single-location outdoor recreation service provider offering comprehensive canoe trip outfitting and guided wilderness experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial Park. The core product portfolio centers on Complete and Partial Outfitting Packages that provide canoes, camping gear, and trail food, complemented by standalone Canoe and Equipment Rentals for self-equipped paddlers. The company also offers Guided Canoe Trips led by professional outdoor educators, along with supporting services including Transportation Shuttles, Bunkhouse Lodging, and a Free Route Planning Tool. Additional offerings include Gift Cards and Used Kevlar Canoes for Sale. The business operates as a unified service model rather than a modular software platform, with all products and services tied to the physical outfitter location at 529 E. Sheridan Street, Ely, MN.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Complete Boundary Waters Outfitting Packages Full-service canoe trip outfitting providing ultralight canoes (including Kevlar models), camping gear, and trail food for self-guided Boundary Waters canoe adventures. Designed for friends, families, and groups who want a turnkey wilderness experience.
- Partial Boundary Waters Outfitting Packages Modular outfitting bundles letting customers supplement their own gear with canoes and/or food, available as canoe plus deluxe food package, deluxe food-only package, or canoe plus camping equipment package. Targets self-guided trippers who own some gear.
- Canoe and Equipment Rentals Rental of ultralight Kevlar canoes and individual camping equipment items for customers who supply some or all of their own gear. Priced per item per trip.
- Guided Canoe Trips Professionally guided wilderness canoe trips led by experienced outdoor educators, anglers, and knowledgeable guides. Offered as custom guided camping trips, workshops and group trips, and guided day trips. Targets beginners, specialty cohorts, and customers seeking facilitated wilderness experiences.
- Transportation Services (Shuttles & Motorboat Tows) Ground shuttle and motorboat tow transport moving customers and gear between the Ely storefront and BWCAW entry points, eliminating the need for customers to arrange their own vehicle logistics.
- Bunkhouse & Lodging On-site bunkhouse accommodations located next to the outfitter shop in Ely, MN, providing convenient lodging before and after BWCAW trips at $25 per night per person.
- Trail Food Menu Packages Pre-packaged trail food menu options for multi-day canoe trips with online menu selection, featuring locally sourced Minnesota and Wisconsin ingredients. Sold standalone or bundled with partial/complete outfitting packages.
- Gift Cards Printed gift cards on colorful cardstock with Boundary Waters photography, sold in customizable amounts and redeemable for any Ely Outfitting Company services including outfits, guided trips, rentals, bunkhouse, and shuttles.
- Used Kevlar Canoes for Sale Pre-owned ultralight Kevlar canoes available for outright purchase for customers who want to own their own BWCAW equipment.
Companies that use Ely Outfitting Co
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ely Outfitting Co technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ely Outfitting Co partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Outside Chance PBSminorTeamed up with Chance York and the Outside Chance PBS crew for filming a show featuring Boundary Waters canoeing. Show focuses on introducing people to outdoor opportunities and how accessible the experience is.
- REI ExperiencescoreEly Outfitting Company worked with REI Adventures as their original and exclusive Boundary Waters program vendor to provide quality outfitting and guide services. Partnership included talented and passionate REI professionals and was described as enjoyable by the company.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ely Outfitting Co competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Canoe Country Outfitters: Ely, MN outfitter specializing in canoe outfitting, equipment rentals, and shuttle services for BWCAW entry points. Direct competitor serving the same Ely gateway and customer base.
- Piragis Northwoods Company: Long-established Ely, MN outfitter offering canoe rentals, outfitting packages, and guided trips into the BWCAW. Directly competes with Ely Outfitting Company for the same Boundary Waters gateway customers from the same Ely location.
- Rockwood Lodge & Outfitters: BWCAW outfitter offering canoe and gear rentals, outfitting packages, and lodge accommodations near entry points. Directly comparable service mix to Ely Outfitting for Boundary Waters visitors.
- Boundary Waters Outfitters: Bemidji/Akeley area outfitter offering canoe outfitting, gear rentals, and guided trips into BWCAW. Competes for the same Boundary Waters self-guided and guided customers with overlapping service packages.
- Bearskin Lodge & Outfitters: Ely-based outfitter and lodge offering canoe outfitting, guided trips, and lodging on the edge of the BWCAW. Combines lodging and outfitting services similar to Ely Outfitting's bunkhouse-plus-outfitting model.
- Voyageur North Outfitters: Ely-area outfitter providing canoe trip outfitting, rental equipment, and guided wilderness experiences in the BWCAW. Competes for the same Ely-based Boundary Waters customers with similar packages.
Broad incumbents
- Outward Bound: National nonprofit wilderness education provider offering canoeing, backpacking, and other guided wilderness expeditions. Overlaps with Ely Outfitting's guided group trip and youth organization segments.
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): National wilderness education organization offering canoeing, backpacking, and expedition courses in wilderness settings. Comparable in delivering guided wilderness experiences with educational components, though at a much larger national scale.
- REI Co-op Experiences: National outdoor retailer and guided adventure travel platform; previously Ely Outfitting Company's partnership counterparty for Boundary Waters program delivery. Comparable in delivering guided wilderness trips; broader scope spanning multiple destinations.
Regional players
- Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge: Adjacent Ely, MN outdoor adventure operator offering dogsledding experiences; identified as a related partner/outfitter in Ely. Comparable Ely-based outdoor recreation outfitter model with seasonal wilderness adventure offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ely Outfitting Co social profiles
Digital presenceEly Outfitting Co financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ely Outfitting Co leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ely Outfitting Co funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ely Outfitting Co M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ely Outfitting Co
What does Ely Outfitting Co do?
Ely Outfitting Company provides canoe trip outfitting, equipment rentals, trail food, bunkhouse lodging, shuttle services, and guided wilderness trips for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial Park visitors from its Ely, Minnesota storefront. Offerings include complete packages combining ultralight Kevlar canoes, camping gear, and locally sourced camp food, plus partial packages, individual rentals, and professionally guided trips.
Is Ely Outfitting Co a public or private company?
Ely Outfitting Co is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ely Outfitting Co founded?
Ely Outfitting Co was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ely Outfitting Co based?
Ely Outfitting Co is headquartered in Ely, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ely Outfitting Co make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Outfitting Packages are the primary driver. The others are guided Trips, equipment Rentals, bunkhouse Lodging, shuttle Services and gift Cards.
Who are Ely Outfitting Co's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Canoe Country Outfitters, Piragis Northwoods Company, Rockwood Lodge & Outfitters, Boundary Waters Outfitters, Bearskin Lodge & Outfitters and Voyageur North Outfitters. Broad incumbents are Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and REI Co-op Experiences. Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge is listed as a regional player.
Does Ely Outfitting Co have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ely Outfitting Co.
What industry is Ely Outfitting Co in?
Ely Outfitting Co's product category is Outdoor Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAGAG, Equipment Rental & Outfitter Services (Camping Gear, Boats, Bikes, Mobility Aids), with a secondary code of THAAADAB, Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & Canoeing Outfitters. Its NAICS code is 561520 and its SIC code is 7000.