Welcome to Cliff Wold’s Outfitting Co.

Ely, Minnesota’s Premier Boundary Waters Canoe Trip Outfitter

Cliff Wold’s Outfitting Co. has been serving Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial Park canoe trippers since 1961. Experience and knowledge, combined with an unwavering commitment to value and personal service, makes Cliff Wold’s the canoe outfitter of choice for many groups. From planning to packing, we can help with every aspect of your wilderness canoe trip. Our complete outfitting package includes all the lightweight camping and canoeing equipment you need for an enjoyable trip, plus a delicious menu of deluxe custom-packed meals. We also offer partial canoe outfitting services for those who need a canoe or some additional equipment. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran to the canoe trails, we’re here to help ensure your wilderness canoe trip is a success. When you choose Cliff Wold’s, you’ve chosen the best!

Excellent
Based on 240 reviews
Kourtney Hake
Kourtney Hake
2024-01-01
Best outfitter in Ely! The food is always good, and you always have everything you need. Wouldn't want to go with anyone else!
Phil Carlson
Phil Carlson
2024-01-01
If you’re reading this review in search of an outfitter for your upcoming BWCA adventure, look no further. Ryan and his staff at Clif Wold’s have been our go-to outfitter for the past many years, and their service is absolutely exceptional! The anticipation of a yearly visit to the BWCA is always exciting, but a first stop at Clif Wold’s for canoes, permits, and a friendly face has become a tradition for our crew of paddlers. We’re treated more like family than customers, greeted with a smile, and sent on our way with a handshake and top-notch gear. If you’re looking for an amazing experience exploring the BWCA, do yourself a favor and let Clif Wold’s be a part of it. You won’t regret your decision!
David Hoffner
David Hoffner
2023-12-28
Outstanding outfitter, care to detail, and quality. Loved the welcome at our destination! Highly recommend.
Mark McKernin
Mark McKernin
2023-12-27
Great folks to do business with. I highly recommend them for meeting any of your outfitting needs. I very much appreciate the customer service provided by Ryan and his staff.
Joe Pond
Joe Pond
2023-12-27
I've worked with Ryan and the crew at Cliff's a number of times over the past decade. Ryan is always communicative and patient during planning dates, routes, gear, etc. Their professional service and calm demeanor is refreshing and just what we need before a trip! I've been fortunate to introduce my wife and daughter to the BWCA through outfiting and Cliff's and I'm excited to do business with them in 2024! Thanks for the cherished memories and keep up the great work!
J. Singleton
J. Singleton
2023-12-26
My friends and I have used Cliff Wold's for our annual Boundary Waters trip for the last 4 years. We absolutely love Cliff Wold's and plan to continue going back each year! The owner, Ryan, is very knowledgable and is always willing to take time to talk through our route to let us know about current conditions and give us tips about campsites, pictographs, notable views, etc. along the route. He's also super accommodating, and has even stayed late so that we can get our canoes the night before and get an early start in the morning. One year, a member of our group had an injury right before the trip, and Cliff Wold's made it super easy to swap out our canoe reservation. That year, the Boundary Waters was closed due to fires while we were in the middle of our trip. Ryan sent us a text to let us know (we randomly had service in one spot) and also graciously fielded many calls from concerned family members and provided much needed reassurance that we were not in any real danger 🙂 We also love the associated Cliff Wold's campsite and always stay there the night before our trip so that we can get an early start. It's super convenient -- just about 5 minutes down the road from the outfitter -- which makes grabbing your gear the night before or the morning of very convenient. They have bunkhouses, but we always like camping the night before so that we can double check all our gear. An added bonus is that included in your night's stay is a shower at the end of your Boundary Waters trip. It's so nice to have a shower after a week in the wilderness, so that you're not stuck in a car with your smelly friends for the drive back! The prices are competitive with other local outfitters; with the level of service you get, I would definitely recommend checking out Cliff Wold's!
Blaine McLaughlin
Blaine McLaughlin
2023-12-26
I love this place. They always take great care of us and we have been using them for over 30 years!
Dale Chobak
Dale Chobak
2023-12-26
Ryan and his crew our the best in the business. We have booked dozens of trips through him, any problems get corrected. The only thing he can't provide is the weather. Highly recommended outfitter. Thanks Ryan!
Douglas Kasten
Douglas Kasten
2023-12-25
I've done many trips through Cliff Wold's and am planning another. Great value, great service really easy to work with.