Timber Trail Lodge and Outfitters, Ely

We stayed here for three days in late May and found the website to be a bit deceptive as to what we found when we arrived. The cabin photo makes it appear to be secluded when really it has two cabins on each side of it within about 30 feet. According to the site, "the modernized kitchen has all new appliances..." This may have been true in the 1980s. The worn-down furniture left a lot to be desired -- including the two armchairs complete with numerous scorch marks. In addition, some of fine print changed between the time we booked and arrived -- like the pet fee and the check out time. Also, don't forget to bring your own towels, dish soap and pretty much everything other than some basic plates, silverware and bedding. It is not a place for peace and quiet as you are close enough to hear the neighbors walking on their porch next door when you have the windows closed. And, last but not least, the place requires that you keep your pets on a leash at all times (which I am fine with) but let's the "resort" pets roam free.

7 of us from around the country got together for our 50th birthday parties. We wanted a place that was comfortable, clean and new. The Evergreen "cabin" at Timber Trail exceeded all of our expectations. Very modern, clean and spacious. The Forsbergs are wonderful hosts as well. One buddy of ours couldn't make the trip, so he had aslked the Forsbergs to put a cold case of beer in the fridge for us before we arrived. What a great surprise! Cold beer the minute we walked into the cabin. Only thing I can think of that we were not satisfied with was one of the depth finders on a rental boat wasn't working properly and the prop on the same boat had a blade brken and slowed the boat down considerably. Overall, we had a great experience and Rob Nelson the fishing guide was simply outstanding! 4-1/2 stars.

Dear reader. Timber Trail Lodge is a family and fishing resort located 7 miles from Ely Minnesota. We do not offer a resturant or bar facility. Those individuals seeking those amenities should seek another resort. We feel our quiet family oriented resort facility would be harmed by late night resturant and bar patrons, and quite frankly we have no intrest in operating a resturant or bar. Our web site is extreemly accurate in describing what we do and do not offer as amenities to our guests. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you have. We can only do the best we can with the amenities we do offer. The internet can be both a wonderful and harmful tool. When individuals use the internet to purposely try and cause harm to a business that has in no way disserviced their stay, it is unfortunate. In the case of those seeking to cause harm to our resort by their own actions it is inexcusable. We have no control of the actions of those seeking a bar and resturant facility and still come to Timber Trail. if you have amenities you desire, please advise us of of those desires, and we will honestly tell you if we can provide them or not.. Our goal is to provide a quiet, modern family and fishing resort to those individuals seeking such a facility. Like most resorts we do not offer everything every potential guest desires. We will be honest in telling ou what we do and do not offer, and only ask that you advise us in advance of the amenities you seek so will will both be able to enyoy your vacation travels to Timber Trail Lodge. After 17 years of operating our resort we have had tens of thousands of satisified guests. Many return each year, and have come to appreciate what we do offer. It is those guests, many of whom have become family friends, that provide us with the incentive to keep operating Timber Trail Lodge. We recognize we can not satisfy everyone, but we will make every effort to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have while you are here.

I stay at Timber Trail Lodge in the summer time and find their resort to be well above average for the area. The cabins are clean and mostly updated. The resort is less than 10 minutes from Ely, MN. Almost all of the cabins are located right on the Farm Lake with your boat dock right in front on your cabin. They offer a deluxe boat rental that comes with depth finder, trolling motor, cushioned seats and a flat bottom ($550 weekly). The resort is right on Farm Lake which is connected to Garden Lake, White Iron Lake, South Farm Lake (BWCA) and Kawishiwi River (BWCA). The resort is also an outfitter for people who wish to visit the boundary waters. The only problems you may have with the resort is the service can be below average at times. They sometimes get a little unpleasant when you need help but I have bad days also so I won't hold it against them. Also parking is limited so it can be difficult to find a place for your boat trailer. The only other resort that I would recommend would be Lodge of Whispering Pines on Big Lake, but it is very difficult to get a cabin right on the water. Overall, Timber Trail Lodge is a great resort and I keep coming back.

well if you would like a quite relaxing vacation timber trail is the place to go. cabins are nice clean comfortable basically have everything you need except for towels. staff is very friendly and stop what ever there doing to help. The water was turned off to our cabin and they fixed it in about 5 min. Than we locked ourselves out of the cabin and they came and let us back in in a matter of seconds.

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas week at Timber Trail Lodge. We stayed in one of their newer cabins (Wintergreen) that looked out over Farm Lake. The cabin is gorgeous with three large bedrooms and a large kitchen that opens into the family room area. Plenty of space for a family or two. My kids had great time sledding and ice skating. The weather was absolutely perfect- not too cold with light snow throughout the week. We tend to vacation for Christmas, and I can say without hesitation, that the accommodations at Timber Trail are the best. But that's just a small part of why we come. The Forsbergs really promote a family atmosphere and their service is simply impeccable. I can't say enough about Timber Trail- truly, a home away from home.

My family stayed here in September. We found the guest services were excellent and think there new cabin accommodations are wonderful. It was great to be able to step out of our cabin and get a shuttle from our dock to an island across the lake where there were canoes for us to use. It was only a short paddle from the island and we were in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and it was absolutely beautiful. My family and I would highly recommend this resort to anyone seeking family resort accommodations in Ely, MN.

We have enjoyed staying at this resort yearly for many happy summers. We have come up with friends and enjoyed the lake for fishing for teenagers and the beach with the little ones. We never missed having our own cabin on a lake because Timber Trail was "ours". All of our 4 kids have a special memory of the place and of the Forsberg family as well. Never will find nicer folks!!

We liked having time to go look at other resorts so as to not waste a summer vacation here. The lack of services is appalling. It is a big imposition to get any service at all even gas for our snowmobiles.

Bugs Galore is confused. Timber Trail Lodge is not a bar and resturant operation. Guest visit Timber Trail to avoide late night resturant and bar patrons. This is a quiet "family resort". Only 7 miles from town. Amenities offered and NOT offered are clearly outlined in the web site, and those resturant and bar seekers should seek other facilities. It is sad when someone chooses to harm a business that clearly has done nothing to warrent the criticism. The refund policy at Timber Trail is industry standard, and becaues they are a popular and often a full rsort, they are frequently able, and do, refund deposit monies to their guests because of rebookings. Anyone having questions should check with the Ely Chamber Of Commerce for a more informed review.