Ennis Lake (Ely)
- May, Jul–Sep
- best months
Is Ennis Lake (Ely) open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Ennis Lake (Ely), so check the source for the area it covers.
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Ennis Lake near Ely offers climbing on Minnesota's distinctive rock formations in a scenic lake-country setting. The area provides a mix of climbing experiences suited to various skill levels, with the natural beauty of the North Woods as a backdrop. This destination appeals to climbers seeking solid rock and a quieter alternative to more crowded Minnesota crags.
Wolf Ridge ELC Area (North Shore)Rock climbing · ~1h 15m drivePhoto: SteveBenassi, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Mystical Mountain ZoneRock climbing · ~1h 15m drivePhoto: SteveBenassi, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Palisade HeadRock climbing · ~1h 21m drivePhoto: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Double X BoulderRock climbing · ~29 min drive
- Baird BlocksRock climbing · ~30 min drive
- Science BoulderRock climbing · ~43 min drive
- BC's Wilderness Challenge (BWCAW)Rock climbing · ~50 min drive
- Carlton BoulderRock climbing · ~1h 9m drive
- Temperance River SP (North Shore)Rock climbing · ~1h 9m drive
- Section 13Rock climbing · ~1h 11m drive
Best time to visit Ennis Lake (Ely)
Best months: May and July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
15° / -7°
9 wet
Feb
21° / -4°
8 wet
Mar
34° / 9°
8 wet
Apr
47° / 24°
9 wet
May
62° / 38°
12 wet
Jun
72° / 50°
14 wet
Jul
77° / 55°
12 wet
Aug
75° / 53°
11 wet
Sep
66° / 44°
12 wet
Oct
50° / 32°
12 wet
Nov
33° / 19°
9 wet
Dec
20° / 3°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ely 25e, MN, 2.3 mi away at 1,444 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service
Routes
No routes catalogued here yet
We have this crag's location and access details, but not its individual climbs. Routes appear here as our sources add them.
The map shows other climbing nearby, or browse more crags.
