Ely is affectionately known as “The End of the Road,” and for a good reason! Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a vast, but beautiful national forest that extends 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border, covering over 1,100 lakes and 1,500 miles of canoe routes. By car: From Chicago - 580 miles (Approximately 10 hours) From Minneapolis - 245 miles (Approximately 5 hours) From Duluth - 107 miles (Approximately 3 hours) Nearest Airports: Duluth International Airport (DLH) - 4701 Grinden Dr, Duluth, MN 55811 Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport - 4300 Glumack Dr, St. Paul, MN 55111