Boundary Waters Outfitters — Join Our Crew
Looking for a summer job that gets you outside and into the Boundary Waters?
Boundary Waters Outfitters is a full-service canoe outfitter in Ely, Minnesota. We help guests plan and prepare for Boundary Waters trips by providing canoes, camping gear, food, lodging, transportation, route planning, and local knowledge.
Our main season runs May 1 through October 1, and we’re looking for dependable people who enjoy working hard, being part of a team, and helping others have great wilderness experiences.
All positions offer competitive pay, potential employee housing, and access to company canoes, camping gear, and equipment on days off.
-
Outfitting Manager
About the Job
Our Outfitting Managers work directly with guests to make sure they’re ready for their Boundary Waters trip.
A big part of this job is conducting guest orientations, showing people how to use their camping equipment, helping them understand their route, answering questions, and making sure they feel confident before heading into the wilderness.
This is a great position for someone with wilderness experience who enjoys working with people, teaching, and taking on responsibility.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct pre-trip orientations with guests.
- Show guests how to properly use tents, stoves, water filters, packs, canoes, and other camping equipment.
- Help guests understand and finalize their canoe routes.
- Talk through portages, campsites, fishing opportunities, weather, and current wilderness conditions.
- Teach Leave No Trace principles and responsible wilderness travel.
- Discuss paddling, portaging, navigation, and wilderness safety.
- Issue BWCA Wilderness permits.
- Make sure guests have everything they need before leaving.
- Help coordinate daily departures, returns, and shuttles.
- Work closely with the Gear Manager and Food Packer to make sure trips are ready.
- Help train and supervise seasonal staff.
- Answer questions and solve problems as they come up.
- Help with shuttles, retail, gear, phones, bookings, and other daily outfitting tasks when needed.
What We’re Looking For
- Wilderness camping and canoeing experience.
- BWCAW and/or Quetico experience is strongly preferred.
- Friendly and confident communication skills.
- Someone comfortable teaching and speaking with groups.
- Dependable, organized, and able to take initiative.
- Able to stay calm and solve problems during busy days.
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Able to lift and move canoes, packs, and trailers when needed.
- Available to work weekends and busy summer periods.
Pay & Perks
- Competitive pay based on experience.
- Potential employee housing in Ely.
- Access to company canoes and camping gear on days off.
- Plenty of opportunities to canoe, camp, fish, hike, and explore the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest.
-
Gear Manager
About the Job
The Gear Manager keeps our equipment operation running smoothly.
You’ll be responsible for making sure outgoing trips have the right equipment packed and that everything coming back gets cleaned, inspected, repaired, and ready for the next group.
You’ll also help lead our seasonal staff and keep the gear areas organized.
What You’ll Do
- Pack and prepare equipment for upcoming trips.
- Make sure outgoing groups receive the correct gear.
- Inspect returned tents, packs, sleeping equipment, cooking equipment, paddles, PFDs, and other gear.
- Clean, dry, repair, and properly store equipment.
- Identify damaged or worn-out equipment that needs to be replaced.
- Keep gear areas clean and organized.
- Help manage equipment inventory.
- Train and supervise seasonal staff.
- Organize daily gear priorities based on upcoming trips.
- Load and unload equipment and canoes.
- Help guests secure canoes to their vehicles.
- Help maintain company vehicles and trailers.
- Work with the Outfitting Managers to handle last-minute changes.
- Help with shuttles and other outfitting/house keeping tasks when needed.
What We’re Looking For
- Wilderness or camping experience is preferred.
- Organized and detail-oriented.
- Comfortable taking the lead and giving direction.
- Equipment repair or general mechanical skills are a plus.
- Dependable and able to work independently.
- Able to regularly lift packs, equipment, and 42-55 lb. canoes.
- Valid driver’s license preferred.
- Comfortable working weekends during the busy season.
Pay & Perks
- Competitive pay based on experience.
- Potential employee housing in Ely.
- Access to company canoes and camping gear on days off.
- Plenty of opportunities to explore the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest.
-
Food Packer
About the Job
Our Food Packer prepares and organizes the food that goes out on our fully outfitted wilderness trips.
Every trip is a little different, so you’ll need to pay attention to group sizes, trip lengths, menus, allergies, and dietary requests.
This position offers a flexible schedule, but we’re looking for someone who can work at least 20 hours per week during the season.
What You’ll Do
- Pack food for upcoming wilderness trips.
- Portion and package bulk foods.
- Organize food based on group size and trip length.
- Handle dietary restrictions and allergies according to our procedures.
- Keep track of food inventory.
- Receive and organize food deliveries.
- Rotate inventory and watch expiration dates.
- Keep food packing and storage areas clean and organized.
- Communicate with managers about changes or special guest requests.
- Help with other outfitting tasks when things are slower.
What We’re Looking For
- Dependable and detail-oriented.
- Organized and good at managing your time.
- Comfortable working independently.
- Able to perform repetitive tasks accurately.
- Food preparation experience is helpful but isn’t required.
- Able to work at least 25 hours per week.
Schedule, Pay & Perks
- Flexible seasonal schedule.
- Minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Competitive hourly pay.
- Potential employee housing in Ely.
- Access to company canoes and camping gear on days off.
- Great option for someone who wants to be part of the outfitting operation while having some flexibility in their schedule.
-
General Outfitting Staff
About the Job
Our General Outfitting Staff are the people who help keep everything moving.
You’ll work with canoes, camping equipment, vehicles, shuttles, bunkhouses, and guests.
You don’t need to be a Boundary Waters expert, we can teach you what you need to know. We’re much more interested in finding people who are dependable, willing to work, and have a good attitude.
What You’ll Do
- Unpack and clean equipment when groups return.
- Clean, dry, inspect, and organize camping gear.
- Load and unload canoes, packs, and equipment.
- Secure canoes to vehicles and trailers.
- Assist guests before and after their trips.
- Drive a 12 passenger van and trailer.
- Clean bunkhouses and guest areas.
- Help keep the property, gear areas, and workspaces clean.
- Assist managers with whatever needs to get done that day.
What We’re Looking For
- Dependable and hardworking.
- Positive attitude and willing to learn.
- Comfortable working outside.
- Able to work well with a team.
- Able to regularly lift packs, equipment, and 42-55 lb. canoes.
- Valid driver’s license preferred.
- Wilderness experience is helpful but not required.
- Able to work weekends and busy summer periods.
Pay & Perks
- Competitive hourly pay.
- Potential employee housing in Ely.
- Access to company canoes and camping gear on days off.
- A chance to spend the summer living and working near the Boundary Waters.
- Great opportunity to gain experience in the outdoor recreation industry.
-
Shuttle Driver
About the Job
We’re also looking for dependable drivers to help transport guests, canoes, and equipment between our outfitting base and Boundary Waters entry and exit points around the Ely area.
Unlike our other seasonal positions, A Shuttle Driver is a flexible, as-needed position.
It’s especially well suited for someone who already lives in the Ely area and is looking to pick up some extra work during the summer.
What You’ll Do
- Drive guests to and from Boundary Waters entry and exit points.
- Transport canoes, packs, and equipment.
- Load and secure canoes to vehicles and trailers.
- Help guests load and unload their equipment.
- Keep vehicles clean and fueled.
- Report any vehicle or safety issues.
- Help around the outfitter between shuttles when needed and available.
- Show guests how to properly portage and care for Kevlar canoes
What We’re Looking For
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Safe and responsible driver.
- Dependable and punctual.
- Comfortable interacting with guests.
- Comfortable driving larger vehicles.
- Experience towing trailers is a plus.
- Familiarity with Ely-area roads and Boundary Waters entry points is helpful.
- Able to lift and secure canoes and equipment.
Schedule, Pay & Perks
- Flexible, as-needed schedule.
- Hours vary depending on our daily shuttle needs.
- Great for someone living in Ely who wants additional or supplemental work.
- Competitive hourly pay.
- Access to company canoes and camping equipment on days off.
Why work with us?
Our season generally runs from May 1 through October 1, right in Ely, Minnesota, on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
It’s hard work and the summer can get busy, but you’ll also get to spend the season surrounded by one of the best outdoor recreation areas in the country.
When you’re not working, employees have access to company canoes and camping equipment to explore the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest.
We offer:
- Competitive pay.
- Potential employee housing.
- Access to canoes and camping equipment on days off.
- Opportunities to canoe, camp, fish, hike, and explore the area.
- A small, close-knit team.
- The chance to help people experience the Boundary Waters.