The entire length of Highway 38 has been designated a National Scenic Byway under the name Edge of the Wilderness.

State Highway 38 serves as a north–south route between Grand Rapids and Effie in north-central Minnesota.

Highway 38 passes through the Chippewa National Forest between Itasca County Road 19 and Bigfork.

[4] Scenic State Park is located 7 miles east of the junction of Highway 38 and County Road 7 at Bigfork.

The park entrance is located on County Road 7.