General Admission
Closed until February 2025 for the Ely Winter Festival
Open Dates TBD 10am-4pm
We may be closed but we do have upcoming off-season community programming, events and collaborations – Learn More
Off-Season Visits
We are happy to accommodate off-season, large/tour bus group or before/after hours visit requests! Visitors may request an appointment at our off-season rate of $6.00/person with either a minimum of 6 guests or the paid equivalent. See below for more details.
Please contact us at least one week in advance of any request to inquire on staffing availability, access conditions (snow) and capacity. We routinely welcome tour bus groups of 30-60.
Snow removal and staffing is our biggest limitation November-April. The historic cabins are not climate controlled.
Admission Fees
Discounted off-season admission is to compensate for no public restroom facilities and poor lighting in the Cady Cabin
FREE for Museum Members
$6.50 Seniors (62+)
$7.00 Adults (18-61)
$4.50 Youth (6-17*)
FREE Children 5 & under & Active/Veteran/Retired Military
*Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a paid adult (18+)
Admission includes
- Access to Dorothy’s original cabins, each with its own exhibits
- Exploration of our outdoor natural areas: Birds’ Landing and Dorothy’s Discovery Trail
- Optional guided programs are available at the top of every hour (10am-3pm) Memorial Day-Labor Day and offer a more in-depth understanding of Dorothy’s life.
Shoppers Welcome!
In-person* and Online shoppers are welcome – no admission required. Order online for shipping or pick-up* at the Museum.
*An appointment is required for in-person shopping or order pick-up between Labor Day-Memorial Day Weekend
Exhibits & Experiences
The Museum is more than just Dorothy’s cabins. Visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history, including that of the BWCAW.
Accessibility
The museum strives to accommodate all visitors given the limitations of our historic log cabin structures. Crushed rock pathways and wood decks offer access to all buildings on-site. The interpretive center and gift shop features an accessible, family restroom.
Visit Preview
Sensory Backpacks are available for use to visitors and include noise dampening headphones for youth and adults, disposable earplugs, a white board, social narrative cards, a timer and a variety of fidget toys/items.
Accommodations: We strive to offer all visitors an environment that facilitates learning, exploring and a positive experience. Due to our rural location and limited resources, please contact us at least two weeks in advance with requests for language interpretation, private tours before/after hours or any other service that may help us offer an outstanding visit.
Historic Cabins: The Interpretive Center, Winter and Point Cabins all have ramp access and manual doors that are 36″ wide. The Cady Cabin entry is 32″ wide.
WINTER: During the Ely Winter Festival, we strive to make sure pathways are shoveled but the northern MN weather isn’t always in our favor and shoveling a solid, level path over frozen crushed rock can be a challenge. We are happy to help our guests maneuver over winter walk-ways if you let us know how we can!
Restrictions
The gift shop sells Isle of Pines Root Beer but we do not allow consumption of food or beverages inside the historic cabins.
The Museum does not allow open or conceal carry on-site. During your visit, please secure your handgun in your vehicle per MN State Statutes on transport of firearms
There are no COVID-19 requirements at this time. However, we recommend vulnerable and/or unvaccinated guests over 2 years old wear a mask when inside historic cabins due to limited social distancing space.
Parking
The museum has a large, gravel parking area with a turnaround able to accommodate charter buses, large RVs and trucks with trailers. An accessible deck joins the parking area to the south entrance of the Visitor Center. Overnight camping is not allowed.
Pets
To provide a comfortable environment for all of our guests and prevent damage to our historic collection, only service animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability* are allowed inside historic buildings. Leashed (6-foot or less) domestic pets are welcome to stretch on our nature trail and parking lot provided they are well-behaved and deposits are picked up.
*Per US DOJ ADA laws regarding service animals
Location & Directions
The Dorothy Molter Museum is located on the east end of Ely, Minnesota on the south side of Hwy 169.
2002 East Sheridan Street
Ely, MN 55731
(for mailings, use PO Box 391)
218-365-4451 (we only have one line)