Boundary Waters Canoe Outfitter

Northwoods Job Board 

There are many businesses in Northern Minnesota ranging from family-owned outfitters to fishing resorts, scout camps to gear manufacturing operations. These businesses across Northern Minnesota are currently hiring full-time, part-time, seasonal, and year round employees. Some of these businesses offer training and housing if you are getting your start in the outdoor industry! Happy Portage Trails! 

 

LAST UPDATED: 3/27/2023

Resorts, Outfitting & Guiding

Cleaners – Trail Gear & Guest House

Women’s Wilderness Discovery  • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, Part-Full Flex Time, Competitive Hourly Pay

Looking for self-motivated, experience individuals with an eye for detail. Must be able to work flexible daytime hours from mid-May through
the end of September (based on the WWD trip & guest house use schedule).
Please email resume to Peta Barrett. petabarrettinely@gmail.com 218-235-1994

Crew Member

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters • Tofte, MN
Summer Seasonal, Competitive Pay, Room and Board included

Crew members are selected on the basis of experience in canoe country, passion for wilderness, personal optimism, enthusiasm, good personal adjustment, and demonstrated willingness to work. All employees have the opportunity to try new things and gravitate towards tasks that interest them. Please contact Clare or Dan at info@sawbill.com or 218-663-7150 for more information. 

Campground Host - Sawbill Lake Campground

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters • Tofte MN
Summer Seasonal, Competitive Pay

The Sawbill Campground host is responsible for posting reservation tags, tracking and recording occupancy, daily cleaning, and interfacing with campers as needed. Free camping in site 17 and access to some amenities at the Outfitter are available. The season runs from mid-May to October 20th.  Please contact Clare or Dan at info@sawbill.com or 218-663-7150 for more information. 

Assistant Manager

Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters • Gunflint Trail, MN
Summer Seasonal, Hourly Waged based on Past Proven Experience

As Assistant Manager at Gunflint Lodge, you will be living and working in one of the most pristine Wilderness Areas in the country, with the unique opportunity to explore over 1 million acres of public lands on your time off. Candidate should should have past knowledge or trip leading experiences in the BWCAW. 

Outfitting Staff

Piragis Northwoods Company • Ely, MN 
Summer Seasonal, Full-Time

Enjoy a fun work environment where you will work with our guests taking canoe trips. We offer a flexible work schedule, gear discounts, free access to rental gear, as well as the opportunity to live and work next to the worlds best Wilderness Area! Apply online or email a resume to drew@piragis.com

Boathouse Staff

Piragis Northwoods Company • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, Full-Time, Wed-Sun

Work along side our boat sales team in our brand new boathouse! We offer a 40 hour work week, Wednesday-Sunday, with the position ranging from May 1st to the end of October. We offer gear discounts, free access to rental gear, as well as the opportunity to live and work next to the worlds best Wilderness Area! Apply online or email a resume to tom@piragis.com.

Resort/Outfitting Staff

River Point Resort & Outfitting Co. • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal - Full-TimeHourly Wage Starting at $17

Enjoy the the wilderness beauty of River Point's private peninsula on Birch Lake adjacent to the BWCA assisting guests during their resort stay and working in our outfitting base preparing paddlers for their canoe trip. Flexible hours, 40-hour work week, paid overtime. Enjoy the relaxed lake atmosphere, free use of resort beaches, bonfire pits, sauna and garden shower, hiking trail, kayaks, SUP's, canoes, motor boats, and take an overnight paddle trip into the Boundary Waters on your days off. Varied tasks makes for an interesting work day, a great way to learn new skills and tap into your strengths, all while having fun.

Wilderness Schools, Camps & Youth Groups

Trail Counselor Guide

YMCA Camp Menogyn • Gunflint Trail, MN 
Summer Seasonal, Daily Pay of $90

Trail Guides are first and foremost youth development professionals and mentors. Trail Guides use the context of wilderness canoe and backpack expeditions to build confidence, leadership, and self-awareness in participants as well as build community within groups and with our natural environment.

Canoe Guide 

Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, Daily Pay Rate

At the NLCB you'll have the opportunity to guide through and explore Northern Minnesota while inspiring and being inspired by your participants. No prior Girl Scouting experience required, if you love adventure and are hard-working this job is for you! Contact Ann today for more info: mcnally.ann@gmail.com.

 

Camp Counselor/Canoe Guide

Birchwood Wilderness Camp • Gunflint Trail, MN
Summer Seasonal - $350-$400 Per Week, R&B Included

Spend your summer paddling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! Not your average camp counselor gig, our staff act as canoe guides to our campers (all boys, ages 7-17) over the span of our eight-week season. For more information, Ashley Bredemus at (218) 256-7164 or office@birchwoodwildernesscamp.com

Counselor/Trip Leader

Camp Voyageur • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, Salaries begin at $300 Per Week, R&B Included

Camp Voyageur a traditional boys' camp located next to the Boundary Waters. Lead in camp sport and activities and wilderness trips. Counselors will spend about 40% of their time on wilderness trips and 60% of their time at Voyageur base camp. Must be at least 18 years old. Positions run from May 25th to August 15th.

General Assistant

Camp Voyageur • Ely, MN 
Summer Seasonal, Hourly begins at $15

We pride ourselves on the fresh and wholesome foods we make and serve our campers. Quantity cooking experience helpful, but we will train. Hours are variable and flexible. The environment is relaxed and you will walk away, even if you are experienced, with new skills and knowledge.

General Assistant

Camp Voyageur • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, Hourly, begins at $13

We are looking for a self-directed individual who enjoys all aspects of kitchen work--chopping/dicing and food prep, washing dishes and pot/spans, plus general kitchen and cabin cleaning, packing out trips and running town errands.

Camp Counselor

Camp Birchwood for Girls • Laporte, MN
Summer Seasonal, Competitive Pay, R&B included

The best summer ever!  Come join us living on the lake in the wilderness, teaching and encouraging girls ages 7-17  to develop confidence, learn new skills and develop lifelong friendships! Enjoy a multitude of at camp activities from tennis to horseback riding, all while making connections with participants and coworkers. 

Directors & Activity Instructors

Camp Birchwood for Girls • Laporte, MN
Summer Seasonal, Competitive Pay, R&B included

The best summer ever!  Come join us living on the lake in the wilderness, teaching and encouraging girls ages 7-17  to develop confidence, learn new skills and develop lifelong friendships! Enjoy a multitude of at camp activities from tennis to horseback riding, all while making connections with participants and coworkers. 

Kitchen Manager

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan • Ely, MN 

Fulll-time with benefits with minimum hourly rate of $20/hour, and based year-round in Ely, MN

Food is an integral part of Widjiwagan’s community and experiences. Widjiwagan’s Kitchen Manager position is a full-time non-exempt position based in Ely, MN. The Kitchen Manager  ensures that high quality and nutritional food is provided to participants and staff throughout the year. The Outdoor Learning Program runs through the fall, winter, and spring seasons serving a variety of school groups and organizations. The Summer Wilderness Tripping  Program runs from mid-May through the end of August serving campers, staff, and families. Meals are served in our beautiful Kirby Dining Lodge on the shores of Burntside Lake. Our Dining Lodge capacity can range from 5-200 guests.

 

Retail & Gear Production

Retail Staff

Piragis Northwoods Company • Ely, MN
Summer Seasonal, April-October, Full & Part Time

We are looking for staff to work in our Retail shop in Ely, MN. We offer a flexible work schedule, gear discounts, free access to rental gear, as well as the opportunity to live and work next to the worlds best Wilderness Area! Apply online or email a resume to jay@piragis.com.

 

Retail Employee

Sawtooth Outfitters • Tofte, MN
Full Time & Part Time -  Seasonal and Year Round

We are seeking energetic, self motivated individuals who share our passion for the outdoors. Someone with retail/customer service experience in the outdoor gear industry and is interested in learning about the latest products and services related to what our company offers. We offer competitive wage, employee discounts, flexible hours, use of rental equipment. Contact info@sawtoothoutfitters.com  or call 218-663-7643 to apply or for more info.