Every Road Is an Adventure: Fall Drives in the Ely Area
There’s something about a fall drive that can’t be compared to any other season.
While every scenic drive has it’s moments, it’s winding through a trail or a road when the leaves are brilliant golds and reds overhead, when the sky is a brilliant blue, and the air outside is crisp that makes all the difference.
A couple of miles in, when the trees flank both sides of the lane and the late-fall light comes in low, everything seems just a little more magical. Sometimes the drive has a destination in mind. Maybe you are headed to a specific trail, a lake, a place to stop for lunch. But sometimes, the drive itself is the point. Whether you pair the drive with a playlist of your favorite music or just listen to the sound of gravel under the tires and the movement of the leaves, it’s truly a unique experience.
And when it comes to fall drives, Ely, Minnesota is the best place to experience them.
Where to go (every route is a good route)
The Ely area is surrounded by the Superior National Forest, and when fall nights start turning colder, and days start to shorten, the whole forest shifts from summer foliage to aspens and birch of bright gold, fiery red maples, and deep saffron tamaracks, all contrasted with the dark greens of the evergreens. Nature becomes its own work of art, and everywhere you look is a stunning landscape.
So, if you want a place to start, here are a few suggestion for getting the most out of your drive, no matter the vehicle, whether its a car, ATV, UTV, or mountain bike.
For you classic car travelers, we have:
New Tomahawk Road is a short drive from Ely to Babbitt along Highway 21, it contains about 17 miles of forest that feels like driving through the inside of a painting. It’s one of the most reliable spots for peak fall colors.
The Echo Trail heads northwest out of town and winds deep into the national forest. It’s longer, quieter, and has the kind of wide-open stretches where you can pull over, get out, and listen to the sound of nature surrounding you. This is the road for that classic countryside experience.
Fernberg Road runs east from Ely toward the Boundary Waters entry points. You’ll pass lakes, rivers, and some of the most uninterrupted forest in the state. Even if you’re not heading into the BWCAW, the drive alone is worth the trip.
And for those who’d rather leave the pavement behind entirely, the Prospector Loop trail system offers over 250 miles of ATV and UTV trails connecting Ely to Babbitt, Tower, Embarrass, and beyond. The Kawishiwi River crossing, an old steel bridge on the eastern route out of Ely, is one of the most photographed spots on the trail for good reason. And the Jackpot Loop passes through the northern edge of the 2021 Greenwood Fire area, where new growth coming up through the burn scar features a landscape unlike any other.
When to come
Fall color in the Ely area typically peaks from late September through early October, earlier than the Twin Cities. The DNR’s Fall Color Finder is a useful tool for tracking the progression, but honestly, if you’re here any time in that window, you won’t be disappointed. Even a week past peak, when the leaves are thinning out and the light gets a little sharper, there’s something about the quiet of near-winter that has its own appeal.
What to bring
- A camera
- A thermos of something warm
- Also, make sure you bring your layers!
Mornings are cold up north, and the afternoons are crisp with a hint of autumn sun warmth. You may want to stay outside longer than you originally planned. If you’re riding the trails, pick up a Prospector Loop Map from any local gas station or download the Ride Command app. If you’re in a car, all you need is a full tank and a willingness to take the turn you weren’t planning on.
The best fall drives up here aren’t the ones you plan in advance. They’re the ones that let you meander and take you to places you weren’t expecting.