Edge of the Wilderness

Children and adults will learn about logging at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Bigfork Bridge blends into the landscape on the Edge of the Wilderness.

An attractive sign welcomes travelers to Bigfork, an Edge of the Wilderness community.

A covered interpretive site in Bigfork offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and become oriented with the area.

A beautifully designed wood and river rock sign welcomes travelers to the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway in Big Fork, MN.

A covered interpretive site in Bigfork offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and become oriented with the area.

Interpretive plaques line the gateway to the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, beginning in Effie, MN.

Interpretive signs overlook Pughole Lake.

This interpretive sign discusses how the lake went from being used for transportation to a recreational site.

Bigfork Bridge leads travelers over the river to the interpretive site.

Bigfork Bridge leads travelers over the river to the interpretive site.

The Bigfork Interpretive Site is situated at the end of the Bigfork Bridge.

This illustration shows concept designs for the gateway to Edge of the Wilderness.

This illustration shows concept designs for the gateway to Edge of the Wilderness.

This illustration shows concept designs for the gateway to Edge of the Wilderness.

Have gigantic mosquitoes invaded Effie? Nope, but there is a sculpture of one near the Welcome to Effie sign.

The gateway to the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway in Grand Rapids welcomes visitors to one of the terminus towns of the Byway.

Interpretive signs in Grand Rapids offer more information about the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

An interpretive sign blends into the landscape on the wayside of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

The USFS dedicates an interpretive sign on at the Laurentian Divide wayside of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Interpretive signs are located near a boat ramp.

A road sign marks the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

The roadside byway sign for Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway shows up clearly, even on snowy days.

A nicely kept USFS wayside doubles as a rest stop on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Lovely stonework lines a walkway at a nicely kept wayside on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A nicely kept USFS wayside doubles as a rest stop on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

The Bigfork Interpretive Site welcomes travelers to the Edge of the Wilderness.

A covered interpretive panel offers information for travelers of the Edge of the Wilderness.

Thoreau advises that we make use of our time caught in a rainshower by making a closer inspection of Nature's works.

Monday's piece of advice from Thoreau encourages us to constantly refresh our lives.

A covered interpretive panel offers information for travelers of the Edge of the Wilderness.

Welcome to Bigfork, an Edge of the Wilderness community!

Drivers cross a bridge in Bigfork, which is near a major byway interpretive station.

This building has stone worked in a way which was used in some Edge of the Wilderness byway features.

The "Tuesday" verse from Thoreau's poem is etched on this pillar at the Bigfork Interpretive site.

The title of Thoreau's poem, "A Walk on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers," is etched on this pillar at the Bigfork Interpretive site.

The "Saturday" verse from Thoreau's poem is etched on this pillar at the Bigfork Interpretive site.

Stone and wood set off this splendid interpretive center for the Edge of the Wilderness in Bigfork.

The Edge of the Wilderness logo is prominently displayed against the rafters of the Bigfork wayside.

Autumn tints a roadside tree on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

This is a sketch of one gateway concept design for the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Byway travelers know they have entered the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway when they see this stone and wood gateway sign.

Byway travelers know they have entered the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway when they see this stone and wood gateway sign.

The Edge of the Wilderness logo is used on an interpretive sign at a USFS wayside.

A red truck parks next to an interpretive sign at Pughole Lake.

The sites are indicated at mile marker signs along the byway. This one is at mile marker 47.0.

The State Highway 38 and Edge of the Wilderness roadsigns coexist quite nicely beside the road.

The sites are indicated at mile marker signs along the byway. This one is the first (mile 0.0)

The "Wednesday" verse from Thoreau's poem is etched on this pillar at the Bigfork Interpretive site.

A quote by Thoreau is inscribed on a marker at the Bigfork Interpretive Site.

Inscriptions covering each day of the week are taken from Thoreau's short essay, "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers."

This illustration shows concept designs for the Grand Rapids gateway to Edge of the Wilderness.

A covered interpretive site in Bigfork offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and become oriented with the area.

A covered interpretive site in Bigfork offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and become oriented with the area.

A covered interpretive site in Bigfork offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and become oriented with the area.

The glassy waters of Prairie Lake reflect fall colors, with cabin in the background on the Edge of the Wilderness.

Young bikers enjoy a day in Bigfork on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A traveler stands near the ruins of this chimney.

The Byway undulates along the natural curves and surface of the landscape.

This dock at North Star Lake allows visitors to dip a fishing line into the water.

Motorists enjoy the Fall Color Tour at the Chippewa National Forest.

A slight breeze ripples the surface of Pughole Lake.

The setting sun reflects off the surface of Pughole Lake.

Lilypads occupy the surface of Pughole Lake.

A hunter and his dog enjoy the season on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Lush forest and wild grass surround Pughole Lake.

Orange folliage is contrasted by green grass and pines in early fall.

A snowshoer treks across the newly fallen snow on a frozen lake on Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A sign marks Surprise Lake.

A family of ducks enjoy the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Trees turn vibrant fall hues in Northern Minnesota

A Byway visitor meets with an employee from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

A couple enjoys the scenery of the Byway on horseback.

A curve in the road reveals more fall color around the bend.

A rowboat drifts close to a dock at Pughole Lake.

Campers relax at one of the many campsites located on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Visitors take advantage of the crisp fall weather along the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Lilypads float on the surface of Pughole Lake.

The Lind-Greenway Mine is a reminder of the area's economic history.

Flats of perennials greet visitors at the Tender Tourist Trap in Marcell, MN.

Vivid autumn colors are reflected on the surface of Prairie Lake.

Folks check out the bargains at Edge of the Wilderness' Byway-long garage sale, because 'Bargains are Great on Hwy 38'.

Giant mosquito (and welcome sign) welcomes byway travelers to Effie at the north entrance gateway to the Edge of the Wilderness.

A visitor stands on the boat launch.

Byway gateway welcomes travelers.

A big red barn sits in the background of this picturesque scene by the roadside of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway in Minnesota.

A Byway traveler stands next to an old chimney on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Some fishermen travel up the river in Bigfork.

Sign welcomes out-of-towners to Bigfork.

Signs like this mark the Fall Color Tour.

Fishermen motor up the river on a lovely fall day.

Fishermen take advantage of a beautiful day on North Star Lake.

This gateway in Bigfork marks the beginning of the Byway.

Travelers fish from a rowboat on North Star Lake.

This stately gate provides access to the Byway.

This park and gate are located at the beginning of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Shoppers hunt for bargains at a garage sale.

Garage sales bring the community together.

Bargain shoppers find treasures along the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A father and son fish near a bridge on the Mississippi.

Clouds float by on a beautiful day on the Mississippi.

Dense foliage lines the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi River glistens in the afternoon sunlight.

This lake is located behind the Ranger Station in Marcell.

A log building sits nestled in the trees near the ranger station in Marcell, MN.

This ranger station in Marcell is located in the Chippewa National Forest.

Relics of the Lind-Greenway Mine are still visible.

A visitor relaxes at a picnic bench at the Marcell Ranger Station.

This impressive-looking but completely useless contraption is part of the "Quackery Hall of Fame" in the Science Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway curves through the Chippewa National Forest.

Locals meet at a small cafe in Effie, Minnesota.

The Old Central School offers classes in floral design and stained glass among others, in the many shops now housed inside this school converted to a mall and civic center.

Visitors read about the Laurentian Divide at an informative kiosk at the rest area.

This sign visible from the roadside at the turnoff to the rest area marks the Laurentian Divide.

This sign is on a small interpretive trail at the Laurentian Divide rest area. However, it sure doesn't look like much of an "overlook" to me!

This sign at the "Scenic Overlook" point on the interpretive loop trail at the rest area explains to visitors the history and features of the Laurentian Divide.

This view of the road near the Laurentian Divide is typical of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A car parks by the northern trail head in Suomi Hills.

The surface of Surprise Lake ripples slightly.

The trees along Surprise Lake extend all the way to the water.

A glimpse of the lake can be seen through the trees.

Foliage frames this sunny view of Pughole Lake.

This memorial in Big Fork pays tribute to veterans of past wars.

A visitor finds some useful information about Grand Rapids at this Visitor Center built in a restored train depot near the center of town, and right off of Hwy 38.

Joyce Estate Lodge Cabin on the shore of Trout Lake. A green forest surrounds the cabin to the back, and a small boat sits by the lake in the foreground.

The Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway curves by a highway road sign that stands beside the road in the forest. Evergreens and birches crowd close to the road.

Evergreens line a lake on a bright day with fluffy clouds.

Trees in their autumnal yellow and orange colors line the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. A Kremor Lake road sign stands beside the road.

Vivid reds leaves on maples contrast against the deep blue waters of a lake on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. White clouds dapple the clear autumn sky.

A roofed kiosk built of round river rocks resembles a well in this small town on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

Two bikers peddle along the legendary Mesabi Trail amidst beautiful fall foliage.

Boaters enjoy a tranquil sailing trip on Leech Lake.

A crystal clear lake mirrors a party cloudy sky on a beautiful fall day on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.

A stand of birch trees in winter offers a beautiful winter backdrop.

Turtle Lake is one of several scenic aspects of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway.