NCTA Ely Northwoods

04/02/2026

What's your favorite place to hike in the Ely area? (Any favorite trails that are off the beaten path?)

03/14/2026

Upcoming events! Mark your calendars 📅🥾

May 14 5:30- Chapter bbq at Semers Park
May 16 9:00-noon Highway cleanup, meet at Old Koschak Farm parking lot
May 17 8:00-noon trail building workshop with Matt Davis at Trailhead Building
April 18-20 Chainsaw Training with SHTA- room for 2 more people
July 11 5:30- Chapter bbq at Trailhead Building
July 24-26 Blueberry Festival
Sept 11-13 Harvest Moon Festival
Sept 17-20 Trail clinic in Solon Springs
Sept 26 Annual celebration in coordination with other trail groups

More details to follow!
Follow our page to get the most up-to-date info.
Join our email list: [email protected]

02/02/2026

Hello, friends of the NCTA!

Are you interesting in getting more involved in town, meeting new people, and getting outside more? We are looking for new volunteers!

Consider joining our team with one of the following roles:

▪️Hike Coordinator: Work with other chapter members, volunteers and organizations to find leaders for monthly hikes. Coordinates with Event Coordinator and Communications Team to advertise these hikes. The best outing leaders are those who know a bit about a lot of things in the area, and who can maintain a reasonable pace for hikes and understand that safety is the top priority. A good hike leader also involves others who may have different fields of expertise to expand the value of the outing.

▪️Event Coordinator- Develops an effective outreach strategy to promote the NCTA and get people involved including events, improving public information, and building partnerships within the community. They will plan programs, celebrations, and fun activities for the membership. They do not have to be good at any of the specific activities planned; rather they need to be able to attract “specialists” within the membership or folks outside the Chapter to, host events, give programs, or teach skills.

▪️Media Outreach- Update local and regional media organizations about upcoming Chapter events, milestones, and volunteer opportunities.

▪️Grant Writer- This person should assist the Chapter in all grant writing (public, private, corporate and foundation) and keep track of the requirements, progress and reporting for these funds, as well as coordinate their efforts with NCTA’s Director of Development.

▪️Land Owner Coordinator- Needs to like working with new and varied people, have the ability to relate to local issues and values, enjoy talking to people one‐on‐one, and be able to explain the Trail to property owners/managers. Patience and knowledge of landowner agreements is a requirement as well.

Reach out via email to Ozzie, if you have any questions or if you'd like to learn more:

[email protected]

You can also join our leadership team meetings if you'd like to check things out in person and meet the leadership team!!

01/09/2026

Michael Running from the Forest Service Trails gave a short informative presentation about trails and volunteerism tonight on our Zoom call. Thanks, Michael! 🌲💚🏞️👏😊

If you're looking to get involved with building trails in the Superior National Forest, there are a number of organizations that do this.

This summer we will be building some trail near the new Trail Center. 🌳 Follow our page for events. Email Ozzie at [email protected] if you'd like to be notified via email👍

01/07/2026

We commemorated our inaugural anniversary as a trail club on September 27, 2025 🏞️💚🎉👏💕

01/07/2026

This year join the North Country Trail Association Hike 100 Challenge! Just get out anywhere on the North Country Trail and track your miles. You can earn a patch! 🏞️💚🏃‍♀️🌳

Welcome to the North Country Trail Association’s Hike 100 Challenge. The Hike 100 Challenge is a program designed to help you meet your goals. Maybe you want to explore the outdoors more, spend time with your family, make new trail friends, find solitude, try backpacking, or see how far you can wa...

12/13/2025

Cold temps didn't stop us from flagging a future hiking trail loop near the Ely Regional Trailhead today! It was -16 degrees with a windchill near -32 but the sun shining thru the cedar forest was beautiful. We had a nice fire in the building to warm up with at the end.


North Country Trail Association

11/24/2025

If you've been thinking of becoming a member of the Ely Northwoods Chapter, tomorrow your membership gift can double! See below!

📣There's a $20,000 match challenge tomorrow, November 25. Every gift will be MATCHED dollar-for-dollar up to the first $20,000 raised. This means your $10 gift doesn't just fund trail maintenance - it becomes $20 to help put tools in volunteer hands to keep the trail clear for you. Set a reminder now!

⌛Can't wait? Close enough. Make a gift now and we'll ensure it gets matched: northcountrytrail.org/gift

⏳Need to wait? There are more match challenges lined up through the end of the year - including our biggest on December 2, Giving Tuesday, when you'll also have the opportunity to win some bonus gear for your generosity. Check out northcountrytrail.org/gift for the schedule.

📸 Kamilla Fassbender

10/08/2025

https://www.startribune.com/best-bathroom-in-the-country-award-goes-to-northern-minnesota-state-park/601488188?utm_source=gift

Congratulations to Bear Head Lake State Park - best bathroom in the country. We know it has great hiking trails too. 8-)

The park facilities “raise expectations for public spaces everywhere,” according to Cintas, which gives out the award.