AREA ATTRACTIONS Have you ever seen a 1,000-pound bear up close? Meet the resident “ambassador” bears at the North American Bear Center, located just outside of Ely. Founded by renowned bear researcher Lynn Rodgers to educate people about these
wonderful woodland denizens and dispel common myths, the North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Visitors learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relationship with humans.
Photos: North American Bear Center | @northamericanbearcenter | Left: Ted, the largest bear ambassador (R.I.P., Ted) | Middle: Lucky enjoying the pond | Right: Founder Lynn Rogers
The North American Bear Center is a nonprofit museum with beautiful indoor and outdoor viewing areas for visitors to watch live black bears. The bears enjoy a 2.5-acre natural, forested habitat complete with areas to forage for food, dens, and even a pond and waterfall. It is home to four resident bears, all of whom came to the center from private situations that made them unable to be released back into the wild. Ted, the largest black bear ever recorded, was raised by a family until he got too big for them. The North American Bear Center has a wide variety of daily programs. Allow at least two hours for this unique, world-class experience that your whole family will learn from and enjoy. • Theater playing award-winning bear documentaries • More than 50 video exhibits of wild Minnesota bears revealing decades of research • “Cub Room” where children play and learn • Interpretive nature trails • Birding & wildlife viewing • Large gift shop (sales help support the North American Bear Center) The North American Bear Center is located just one mile west of Ely along Highway 169. The center is air-conditioned, accessible, and has a large parking lot with plenty of room for RVs and buses. Click here to visit their website.
SPRING & SUMMER GUIDE
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