Ely Minnesota Fall Lake rally 8-15 July

[UTTransplant]

In tonight’s forum chat, there was enough interest in a rally in far northern Minnesota that we decided to make it public. Kevin and I will be at the Fall Lake National Forest Service campground from 8 July until 15 July in site 25. The campground is northeast of Ely, MN at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is an area of trees, rocks, and lakes - lots of lakes. The campground was completely rebuilt a few years back and has a mixture of tent sites and sites suitable for big units. Many sites have electricity. There is a swim beach and boat launch at the campground, but motorized boats are severely limited. It is great for canoe and kayaks though. There is also a swim beach and a small camp store. The surrounding area has great fishing, mine tours, and cool little towns. Note you will have to make reservations on recreation.gov, and the place is busy on weekends. Right now there are sites available during the week. There are also walk up sites suitable for bigger units. The plan is very loose and mostly will be a afternoon get together where alternatives for the next day will be discussed. Everyone is free to attend or not, as they wish. Note this is good timing for those hearing out to the FMCA rally in Wyoming a week later.

[MN Blue Skies]

Thanks Pam. Eric and I are planning on attending and will make our campsite reservations tomorrow.  It would be great if the RV Forum admins would post the event on the main rally page.  If people have not been to the Boundary Waters this would be a great opportunity for them. 

[MN Blue Skies]

We reserved Site 20 for July 8 through July 11.  People who want to attend the rally should make their reservation soon especially if you have a big rig. 

[UTTransplant]

In addition to Max and Eric being confirmed attendees, we have two “probables” - Wendy plus Caryl and Bob. There is also a friend of Max and Eric that plan on attending. It may not be a big rally, but it will be fun.

[UTTransplant]

Just a note that there are a number of non-reservable sites at the campground, many with electricity. Weekends are busy here, but arriving fairly early on a weekday will probably be successful. The length limitations range from 35-57’, so most would be able to fit.

[MN Blue Skies]

We can't wait for the Ely, MN rally in July.  We had a few unexpected events come up so this will be our first trip this year.  We plan on staying overnight at Hinckley Casino RV Park on July 7 on our way up to the rally.  Pam and Kevin (UTTransplant) are also staying there.  We get to see their brand new Class A!

Although the rally lasts until July 15, we plan on staying at the Big Falls CG on the Big Fork River on July 12. 13, and 14.  This is near our 160 acre "Homestead" property on the Sturgeon River.  Let us know if you are interested in tagging along.  The "Homestead" is true wilderness.  BTW, I think the Big Falls CG has an area for horses.  Great area for riding!  Wish I had a horse to bring.  Also, I've heard the Big Fork is great for fishing.

[UTTransplant]

We have had a change in plans for our follow on trip to the FMCA rally in Gillette, WY. Since it is our first rally, they want us to come in on Monday, 16 July. Therefore we will be leaving Ely on Friday, 13 July, probably around noon. Since those with reservations (Max+Eric and their friend) were leaving around the same time anyway, it should be fine. If anyone wants a popular reservation for Friday through Sunday, one just opened up on recreation.gov.

[shorts]

We are going to be in Littlefork, MN right before this so we might head over for the rally arriving either Sunday or Monday. There were no reservable sites available so we would have to hope for a walk-in site large enough for us. The website says up to 40’ but we are 42’. Anyone been there that thinks we should be able to find something if we make the drive there? I know nothing is for sure without a reservation. Would be nice to meet some of you.

Vicki

[MN Blue Skies]

Vicki, we would love to have you join us.  You could try calling the campsite directly to get their opinion.  Where are you staying in Littlefork?  We are headed to Big Falls after we leave Fall Lake in Ely.

[shorts]

We are staying at the Lofgren Memorial Park there in the town. I guess it’s right on the river. Is very inexpensive for 50 amp and water. Moving there tomorrow.

[UTTransplant]

There are probably sites you could fit in, but it will just depend on which ones are open when you get there. I definitely remember some sites where you could have you rear overhang be behind the blacktop. I have a number of friends who live in Ely. Let me check with them for options. It might be tomorrow before they can reply though.

Edit: One of my friends in Ely is going to check out Fall Lake campsite sizes tomorrow. He is also going to check out some other options in case folks can’t find something of the right size at Fall Lake. I will post more info tomorrow.

[shorts]

Thanks!!

[UTTransplant]

Vicki and Mark (and other interested parties):
Here is what my Ely friend just sent me:
“Did a drive around and saw there were a number of exit dates for the 7th and 8th on unreserved sites that I think could accommodate a 42’ RV. The lady at the office said either you or I could claim an available site for them by paying the first day’s fee. If you would like for me to do so, I could be there Sunday morning to see what might be available. I also swung by Arrrowhead RV Resort on the east end of Ely and spoke to the manager. They have all the needed amenities but it’s wide open and nowhere the beauty and charm of Fall Lake (ArowheadRVResort.com).”

Nice guy! If anyone would want him to do this, let me know by PM. Alternatively you could call Arrowhead, see what availability they have, and decide to take a chance so you can choose your own spot. Arrowhead would be a backup, and it isn’t far from Fall Lake. Anyone who needs full hookups could stay at Arrowhead and come visit us at our campsite any time, but particularly for Happy Hour around 4:00 where we decide who wants to do what the next day. We leave on Saturday, staying at Hinckley for a night, and arrive at Fall Lake on Sunday probably early afternoon.

My experience has been the week after a holiday is generally a relatively quiet period for vacation areas so the odds are good but that isn’t a guarantee.

[garyb1st]

Won't be able to make it but when I was a child, maybe 5 or 6, my folks took a vacation at the lake.  We lived in St. Paul at the time.  Think my uncle had a cabin there.  I remember because it was about the same time the May Flies came out.  My mother would freak out anytime anything larger than a mosquito flew over her head.  When it happened, she picked me up and ran screaming into the cabin.  That's as much as I remember.  However, two years ago on the way to my daughters, who lives in Wisconsin, we took the Northern route.  We actually drove through Ely.  Don't remember why but didn't bother to go to the campground.  If we're in the area next year, we may. 

Have a great rally. 

[shorts]

Thanks Pam for the update. It was really nice of your friend to make a trip out there. We just got settled into our spot in Littlefork for the next 3 days. As we are just a little over 2 hours away from Fall Lake CG, we should be able to get there early enough on Sunday to get a site. It sounds like they might let us drive through and pick out the site ourselves. Thanks again for the information and looking forward to meeting everyone.

Vicki and Mark

[UTTransplant]

Thanks Pam for the update. It was really nice of your friend to make a trip out there. We just got settled into our spot in Littlefork for the next 3 days. As we are just a little over 2 hours away from Fall Lake CG, we should be able to get there early enough on Sunday to get a site. It sounds like they might let us drive through and pick out the site ourselves. Thanks again for the information and looking forward to meeting everyone.

Vicki and Mark

If you get in early, you should be fine. Look for us in site 25. For a non-reservation site you just drive through and pick it out. I would recommend unhitching the toad in their big parking lot and just drive through with the toad to find a spot.

Won't be able to make it but when I was a child, maybe 5 or 6, my folks took a vacation at the lake.  We lived in St. Paul at the time.  Think my uncle had a cabin there.  I remember because it was about the same time the May Flies came out.  My mother would freak out anytime anything larger than a mosquito flew over her head.  When it happened, she picked me up and ran screaming into the cabin.  That's as much as I remember.  However, two years ago on the way to my daughters, who lives in Wisconsin, we took the Northern route.  We actually drove through Ely.  Don't remember why but didn't bother to go to the campground.  If we're in the area next year, we may. 

Have a great rally. 

If you can survive on just electricity, Fall Lake is a great spot. Access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (suitable for day trips), good fishing right off the dock, swimming beach for the kids, guides with motor boats that can take you fishing at the Canadian border, all are right there by the campground. The sites are mostly very shady, and the mosquitos can be fierce (this is Minnesota after all), but it is worth it. There are other campgrounds in the area with full hookups, but they aren’t nearly as nice.

[MN Blue Skies]

Vicki and Mark, it will be nice to have you join us.  Thanks Pam for your investigative work.

[MN Blue Skies]

Thanks to Pam and Kevin, we invested in a Clam pop up screen house to help avoid the mosquitoes.  I'm definitely bringing my fly rod so looking forward to doing some fishing.  I really looking forward to this event.  We haven't had the 5th wheel out this year so I'm feeling deprived.

[UTTransplant]

We even pulled out fishing gear that hasn’t been used since we moved to Utah. It is pretty dirty, but I will get it cleaned up and oiled. I will be able to get new line in Ely. I can always hope I find some nice walleye.

[shorts]

We just got settled in to site #30. It’s tight but Mark’s a pro at putting the 5er into some tough places. It was listed as a 32’ space and we are 42’ (without the truck) lol 😆. Had someone waiting on us to finish backing in and he pulled up and said he couldn’t of done it.

See you all soon.

Vicki

P.S. mosquitos are very bad!!!   

[UTTransplant]

We got here about 1:00. It was a bit of a challenge for these newbies to get the motorhome in the spot, but we did it even with the narrow roads. I went to the local market, and I saw Max and Eric haven’t arrived yet, but they were going to do some things on the way. Anybody who is here around 4:00 come down to site 25 for Happy Hour. I have some goodies, but BYOB if you want something g other than water, iced tea, or Coke.

[UTTransplant]

If I wasn’t so bad at remembering to take pictures, this would be a more informative post! We all agree the campground is the nicest Forest Service campgrounds any of us have ever been to. All of our sites have 30 amp electrical service, separated from one another by thick trees, very roomy, and the campground has very nice bathrooms and showers. There are sites plent big for our 40’ rig and Vickie and Mark got thei 42’ 5W in a lovely non-reservable site. We have all done different things - some sightseeing, some fishing (I caught one little bitty 6” perch!), and a lot of just relaxing. Kevin and I have already made follow up reservations for September with our tiny pop up.

Tomorrow we are all planning on seeing a local music group at the Winton Roadhouse. Max and Eric are leaving Thursday so they can get some business done on Friday. Kevin and I are still deciding whether to leave Thursday and take a slight detour to Itasca State Park or stay here until Friday as originally planned.

At least I took one picture out of the front of the motorhome.

[UTTransplant]

The little rally was great fun, but we all are leaving a day early due to other commitments. We all attended a Pat Surface concert at the Winton Roadhouse tonight - great fun, good beer, and ok food. We also got at least one half-way decent group picture. L to R you will see Mark and Vicki Shorter, Pam and Kevin Stalnaker, and Max and Eric Straughn. Max like Fall Lake so much she is thinking of having another rally here next year with enough notice people can actually get reservations. I am also including one snapshot of the sunset tonight in the north woods.

[shorts]

We had a great time the last few days getting to know Kevin, Pam, Max and Eric. Wish more people could have come. The Fall Lake Campground and the Ely, MN area is really very lovely. As we have an Alaska trip planned for next year, we won’t be able to return for a rally then. But we do plan to see Kevin and Pam at Death Valley in November and again at Quartzsite and hopefully Max and Eric at Quartzsite! Safe travels as we all depart today.

Vicki

[MN Blue Skies]

Eric and I totally enjoyed the Ely rally at Fall Lake, MN.  We enjoyed meeting up with Pam and Kevin again and loved getting to know Vicki and Mark Shorter.  The Fall Lake campground was excellent and there are many great shops and restaurants to visit in Ely, MN.  This location would be a good opportunity for a future rally.