Grouse Hunting Ely MN: Ruffed Grouse Trails & BWCA Guide.
Welcome to the grouse hunting paradise of Ely, Minnesota—a rugged, wild slice of northeastern Minnesota where ruffed and spruce grouse thrive across the vast Superior National Forest and near by Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). Known for its thick forests, aspen stands, and endless public land, Ely offers hunters unmatched terrain and a true DIY adventure, whether you’re roaring down OHV trails, trekking on foot or canoe. Hit the Echo Trail’s gravel roads and side paths for low-pressure hunts, or venture into the big woods of the BWCA for a challenge that rewards skill and grit. Peak season hits in mid-to-late fall—October to November—when leaves drop, birds come out, and every flush feels earned. Whether you’re a dog hunter navigating dense cover or an OHV rider cruising the endless trails south of Ely, Ely delivers solitude and prime grouse country that’s tough to beat.
At Arrowhead Outdoors in Ely, we’re your launchpad for the hunt. Stock up on ammo, blaze orange gear, and local insights to bag your limit—all at prices that keep your wallet happy.
Prime Public Lands for Grouse
Ely’s public lands offer boundless opportunities to chase grouse. Here’s where to point your boots or paddle:
Superior National Forest: Wrapping around Ely, this 3-million-acre playground is grouse central. Look for young aspen and pine edges—grouse magnets—and hit access points like the Echo Trail, Fernberg Road and Tomahawk Road.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW): North of Ely, the BWCAW’s million acres beckon with a backcountry grouse hunt like no other. Hunting is permitted here, but it’s canoe-and-portage only—no motors allowed. Try the seemingly endless portage trails for flushes amid aspen and conifer. BWCA permits are easy to come by then, so be sure to have one.
Bear Island State Forest: South of Ely, this 157,000-acre gem mixes hardwoods and lowlands, perfect for grouse. Trails and logging roads make it easy to explore.
Burntside State Forest: One of Ely’s best-kept grouse secrets. Just 20–25 minutes northwest of town, this 47,000-acre forest is loaded with young aspen cuts, alder edges, and logging trails that hold numbers of ruffed grouse all season long. Low hunting pressure, miles of walkable old roads, and easy access off County Rd 88 and the Van Vac Road make it perfect for a quick half-day hunt or a full weekend with the dog.
The Minnesota DNR and U.S. Forest Service keep these lands open for hunting. Check the DNR Hunting Regulations for seasons and rules, especially in the BWCAW’s stricter wilderness zones.
MN DNR Hunter Walking Trails Near Ely, MN
Hunter Walking Trails (HWTs) are mowed or brushed footpaths through prime grouse cover — perfect for low-pressure, walk-in hunts. All are free, dog-friendly, and open September 15 – January 1. Blaze orange required. Here are the best ones around Ely:
Echo Lake HWT: 9.5 miles of mowed trails in young aspen cuts south of Echo Lake. Tons of ruffed grouse, easy parking, and low traffic. Map
Old Koschak Farm HWT: 2.5-mile flat, family-friendly loop just 5 miles west of Ely off County Rd 88. Old farm fields turning into grouse heaven with clover plots. Map
Black Bay HWT: 2.1 miles of boat-access trails on the south shore of Lake Vermilion. Spruce and ruffed grouse in thick conifer edges — bring the canoe! Map
HWY 115 HWT (Highway 115 Ruffed Grouse Management Area): 4.5 miles of mowed trails off Hwy 115 in the dedicated Ruffed Grouse Management Area, featuring enhanced food plots and young aspen regrowth for explosive flushes. Low pressure, gated access; ideal for solo or family hunts with minimal walking. Peak early Oct for ruffed grouse. Map
Stop by Arrowhead Outdoors before you head out — we’ll load you up with shells, blaze orange, and the latest bird reports!
ORV Trails: Getting to the Birds
For hunters who love horsepower, Ely’s ORV trails carve through public lands to prime grouse territory. Gas up your ATV or side-by-side and roll out:
Echo Trail / Moose Loop: One of the most popular grouse hunting drives in the Ely area. This 70+ mile gravel corridor starts right in Ely and runs north along the edge of the BWCA. The first 36 miles (classic Echo Trail) offer dozens of pull-offs with young aspen cuts loaded with ruffed grouse. Continue past Little Indian Sioux to the **Moose Loop** (Forest Roads 200 & 201) — a 35-mile loop of narrow, winding logging roads surrounded by prime 10–20-year-old aspen and alder edges. Low traffic, tons of birds, and easy parking make the Echo Trail/Moose Loop combo the best public-land grouse hunting within 30 minutes of town. October and early November are peak — bring a 20-gauge and plenty of blaze orange!
Tomahawk Trail (Forest Road 377 & 378): Ely’s hidden grouse goldmine. Just 20–30 minutes southeast of town, the Tomahawk system is a 40-mile network of winding, low-traffic logging roads surrounded by perfect 10–25-year-old aspen regrowth. You’ll find dozens of pull-offs, old landings, and alder edges that hold ruffed grouse and spruce grouse all season long. Very little hunting pressure compared to Echo Trail, so birds are less skittish. Easy access from Hwy 1 → FR 377. Best windows: October through November. Bring your dog and enjoy all-day flushes!
Prospect Trail: One of the best-kept secrets for Ely-area grouse hunters. This 40+ mile gravel ORV route runs north from Hwy 169 (just west of Tower) all the way up toward Lake Vermilion and the BWCA edge. Wide shoulders, light traffic, and miles of young aspen cuts make it prime ruffed grouse habitat. Plenty of pull-offs for parking and walking the edges — many locals call it the #1 grouse trail in the Ely/Tower area from mid-October through November.
Grab trail maps from the DNR’s ORV page or Ely Chamber of Commerce, and stick to designated routes. The BWCAW is off-limits to ORVs, so save that for your canoe trips. A GPS or onX Hunt app can pinpoint grouse flushes.
