Edge of the Wilderness Byway (MN-38)
The 47-mile Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway follows Minnesota State Highway 38 north from Grand Rapids to its terminus at MN-1 in Effie, cutting through the heart of Chippewa National Forest. The road winds around 36 lakes through county, state, and national forest land, passing through the communities of Marcell and Bigfork along the way. A notable geographic feature is the Laurentian Divide, where precipitation splits toward Hudson Bay to the north and the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River to the south. The route traces an ancient Ojibwe travel corridor and passes habitat for the largest bald eagle population in the contiguous United States. Chippewa National Forest is home to America's densest concentration of nesting bald eagles. The road surface has been recently resurfaced and is known for its twisting alignment and rhythm through the lake-studded forest.
What you'll hit along the way.
Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.
Effie
Small northern Minnesota town marking the western end of the byway, a good place to top off supplies before heading into the wilderness corridor.
SPUR
Fuel stop at the route's starting point, convenient for topping off the tank before the forested stretch of MN-38.
No runs logged on this road yet — be the first.
Runs are rider-logged & GPS-traced in the app
Ride your own ride — times are rider-logged & GPS-traced, never a race on public roads.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.