About Piragis Northwoods Company
Piragis Northwoods Company is one of Ely's best-known outfitters, operating from a landmark storefront on North Central Avenue in the heart of downtown. Founded in 1979, the company has become a cornerstone of the Boundary Waters canoe community, combining a full-service wilderness outfitting operation with a busy retail gear shop and the well-regarded Boundary Waters Catalog mail-order business.
The company rents an extensive fleet of lightweight Kevlar canoes alongside kayaks, and offers complete and partial outfitting packages that bundle canoes, camping equipment, trail food, and BWCAW entry permits. Guided trips led by seasoned staff are available for paddlers of every experience level, and the shop supports winter travellers too with cross-country ski, snowshoe, and cold-weather camping rentals. Shuttles, fly-in trip arrangements, and satellite communication device rentals round out the services.
What sets Piragis apart is its deep local knowledge and its role as a hub for the paddling community. Staff sit down with each party to plan routes across the two-million-acre wilderness, reviewing maps, campsites, and fishing spots before departure. More than four decades in business have made the name synonymous with Boundary Waters trips, and the downtown store remains a first stop for many visitors heading into the wilderness.
