Residents of the North Shore or Arrowhead Region may have a different perspective on what “going Up North” means. For those in the Twin Cities, the term often brings to mind a lake ringed with cabins, each dock featuring a motorized boat.
An Ely resort on Birch Lake blends wilderness, solitude, and inclusive design. North of North Resort is both the direction and the higher expectation. Inclusive design is a type of environmental, building, or equipment planning that is adaptable to people of varying mobilities and abilities.
Owners Sean and Jill Leary chose the name “North of North” for a reason.
“We’ve had people from Alaska or Canada tease us about the name,” Jill said. Sean explained the name as a nod to exceeding expectations in quality and experience.
The resort is located on Birch Lake, a 20-mile-long lake with 90 miles of shoreline, surrounded by the Superior National Forest. There are rocks, coves, and wild animals like moose, wolves, owls, and bears. And it is so close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area that you’d think you were already there.
The three-cabin property sits on 11 acres with more than 1,000 feet of lakefront on Birch Lake. Each cabin has its own sauna, deck, grill, and screened-in porch. The kitchen counters, refrigerator, stove, and sink are accessible. The bathroom has two sinks: one is lower for a wheelchair user, and the other is higher for those who need it. There is also a loft with bedding for two for those who want to climb into it. The doors open wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
So, while some Minnesota lakes might be busy with motorboats circling and socializing, the socializing at Birch Lake is more likely to be with fish, birds, and furry animals.
“It’s not a busy lake. You don’t have boats running all the time, and you’re not dealing with that constant engine noise,” Sean said. “There’s just more space out there.”
Birch Lake has motorboats, but its size and shape keep them from dominating the experience. Even with motors, the lake holds onto a sense of quiet.
“You notice the quiet right away,” Jill added. “It’s not silent, but it’s a different kind of sound—the water, the wind, maybe a loon call. It feels calm.”
There is kayaking, canoeing, fishing, pontoon riding, and birdwatching. Visitors might see a moose or a wolf. And while it’s not an officially designated Dark Sky Zone, the night sky offers clear views of the constellations and Milky Way.
Sean and Jill Leary live in the Twin Cities. Sean works as an environmental consultant, and Jill is an educator. Sean has a spinal cord injury from an auto accident in 2001, shortly after high school, and uses a wheelchair.
The couple also founded the nonprofit Adaptive Wilderness Within Reach (AWWR), dedicated to expanding access through adaptive equipment, trained guides, and community partnerships. At the resort, the boardwalks are 8 feet wide, and the pontoons, kayaks, and canoes feature adaptable entrances. This type of design is known as “curb cut,” making spaces easier to use for many types of visitors.
The Leary’s have two daughters in elementary school. When the couple first purchased the property, the family camped there to get a feel for it. As construction neared completion, Jill and the girls spent the summer there to do finishing work on new construction. A manager based near Ely greets guests.
Their most recent Trip Advisor rating, from February 2026, includes a five out of five review from a family who wrote:
“Our family of six, kids ages 12-17, enjoyed two nights in one of the cabins at North of North, and the experience exceeded our expectations. A few highlights: Well-stocked kitchen, all-natural products, comfortable/clean everything, a sauna, views, lake access, board games on hand, seamless communication. Our stay was a crowd-pleaser for our family.”
Places like this are harder to find, and even though guests are not literally in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, it can feel that way—all while being just a 15-minute drive from Ely and its shops, restaurants, and amenities.
Guests of North of North Resort can sit in a sauna or on the boardwalk, read a book, and enjoy the scenery, or get a little more physical by kayaking, fishing, or swimming. You can spend the day however you like, but the quiet is what stays with you.
