Ely Trailhead – A New Gateway to Ely’s Outdoor Economy
The Ely Trailhead is complete and now open to the public, marking a major milestone in the City of Ely’s long-term vision to strengthen outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic development in northeastern Minnesota.
Located at the western entrance to Ely along Highway 169, the Ely Trailhead serves as a year-round welcome center and a critical connection point for the region’s trail systems. Designed as both a functional trailhead and a community gateway, the facility reflects years of planning, partnership, and investment aimed at improving access, safety, and visitor experience while supporting local businesses.
A Purpose-Built, Four-Season Facility
The Ely Trailhead features a 3,400-square-foot, four-season building designed to serve residents, visitors, and trail users across all modes of recreation. The facility includes:
- ADA-accessible restrooms and changing areas
- Cultural heritage and interpretive displays
- Regional tourism and business information
- Interactive kiosks and trail maps
- Vending machines and traveler amenities
Together, these elements create a welcoming, accessible space that supports both short stops and longer visits—whether someone is arriving by snowmobile, ATV, bicycle, or vehicle.
Connecting Ely to the Region
The Ely Trailhead functions as a central hub linking some of northeastern Minnesota’s most significant trail systems, including:
- The Mesabi Trail
- The Taconite Snowmobile Trail
- The Prospectors Loop ATV Trail
By bringing these routes together in one highly visible and accessible location, the Trailhead strengthens Ely’s position as a regional destination and improves way finding, safety, and services for trail users traveling between communities.
A Foundation for West End Redevelopment
Click to View the Master Plan
The Trailhead is a cornerstone project within Ely’s West End Redevelopment District. In addition to the Trailhead facility itself, the broader project included roadway and utility improvements that create long-term opportunities for future workforce housing, commercial development, and reinvestment in formerly underutilized properties, including the former city garage site.
This infrastructure-first approach ensures the area is positioned for responsible, incremental growth aligned with community needs.
Built Through Collaboration
The Ely Trailhead is the result of sustained collaboration among local, regional, and state partners. In 2018, the City of Ely and the Ely Economic Development Authority secured $1.3 million in State of Minnesota bonding funds to support planning, engineering, and site development. Additional coordination with county, regional, and trail organizations ensured the facility meets the needs of diverse users while supporting long-term economic goals.
Ongoing partnerships with trail organizations, local clubs, counties, and state agencies continue to support trail development, maintenance, and regional connectivity.
Supporting a Year-Round Tourism Economy
Expanding and diversifying Ely’s tourism seasons remains a priority for the City of Ely and the EEDA. The Ely Trailhead plays a key role in that effort by improving access to multi-use trails, supporting winter and shoulder-season visitation, and creating a positive first impression for visitors arriving in the community.
As a completed and operational facility, the Ely Trailhead now serves as both an invitation and an anchor—welcoming people to Ely while reinforcing the city’s commitment to outdoor recreation, community connectivity, and sustainable economic development.
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