Location: Connects Grand Rapids and Effie in North Central Minnesota Length: 47 miles (75 km) Time To Allow: 3 hours Description/Highlights/Points of Interest The Edge of the Wilderness winds its way along the shores of 36 lakes, connecting Grand Rapids and Effie. Leave the urban center of Grand Rapids and enter the natural wonders of upper Minnesota, including vistas of flat lowland meadows, swamps and lakes, rolling hills and remnants of glaciers. During fall, the dark green of the northwoods is punctuated by the brilliant colors of red sugar maples, bronze oak trees and glowing gold aspen and birch. Suggested Itinerary For your convenience, the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway is marked with milepost markers which will guide you on your tour of the Edge. This breathtaking route has 14 interpretive sites located along its winding path that give visitors insight to the rich culture and history of the area, interpretation of a landmark or unique natural area, or direction to one of the many recreational opportunities along the way. Each interpretive site is distinctly marked with an Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway Logo sign and site identification number. Some of the sites are complete with parking, bathrooms and display panels. The byway officially begins at Grand Rapids, Minnesota — milepost 0 (zero). Grand Rapids is a historic logging and papermaking region, and serves as the southern gateway to the Chippewa National Forest where you can trek into the wilderness for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. While in Grand Rapids, don't miss the Forest History Center, an interpretive center and turn of the century logging camp re-enactment. Nearly half of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway area winds through the Chippewa National Forest, the first established National Forest in Eastern United States. The forest boundary encompasses about 1.6 million acres, with over 1300 lakes, 923 miles of rivers and streams, and 400,000 acres of wetlands. Aspen, birch, pines, balsam fir, maples and other trees blanket the rolling uplands and throughout the forest water is abundant. These unique qualities offer visitors an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities all year long. Inside the forest, Trout Lake features 6,000 acres of forest and 26 miles (41.8 km) of shoreline along 11 lakes. There are a variety of species for to pursue when fishing. For hikers, skiers and mountain biking enthusiasts there are ten miles of trails, which are groomed, and track set in the winter months. Within the Trout Lake area lies the Joyce Estate, a once glamorous retreat for the David Gage Joyce family that included an airport, tennis court, icehouse, library, golf course and telephone line. Several of the log and stone buildings of Adirondack architecture are intact and on the National Register of Historic Places. Additional attractions/points of interest in close proximity to the byway include: Scenic State Park in Bigfork; and the Little American Falls and Wilderness Wings Pheasant Preserve in Effie. A Discovery Guide brochure for this Byway can be obtained by calling the Marcell Ranger Station at 218-832-3161 or by stopping in at the Grand Rapids Depot Commons Visitor Information Center or Marcell Ranger Station.