Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway

Creole Nature Trail sign from Flickr 161747806 35cdd8a2ef o

A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The most scenic byways are designated All-American Roads, which must meet two out of the six intrinsic qualities. The designation means they have features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. As of January 21, 2021, there are 184 National Scenic Byways located in 48 states (all except Hawaii and Texas).

History

The NSBP was established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which provided $74.3 million in discretionary grants. On May 18, 1995, FHWA specified the intrinsic qualities that would serve as criteria for designating road as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads. In September U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Peña announced the first 14 National Scenic Byways and six All-American Roads. On June 9, 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) provided $148 million to states so they could develop state roads to take advantage of the program. On August 10, 2005, President

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...

signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which provided $175 million to states and Indian tribes. On October 16, 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood designated 37 new roads as National Scenic Byways and five new All-American Roads. The U.S. Department of Transportation approved the designation on January 19, 2021, of 34 new roads as National Scenic Byways, in addition to 15 new All-American Roads.

Requirements

National Scenic Byways go through a nomination procedure. They must already be designated state scenic byways to be nominated (However, roads that meet all criteria for national designation but not state designation may be considered for national designation on a case-by-case basis).

Intrinsic qualities

For designation as a National Scenic Byway a road must have one of six intrinsic qualities. To be designated an All-American Road, a road must have at least two of the six qualities. *Scenic quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and manmade elements of the visual environment of the scenic byway corridor. The characteristics of the landscape are strikingly distinct and offer a pleasing and most memorable visual experience. *Natural quality applies to those features in the visual environment that are in a relatively undisturbed state. These features predate the arrival of human populations and may include geological formations, fossils, landform, water bodies, vegetation, and wildlife. There may be evidence of human activity, but the natural features reveal minimal disturbances. *Historic quality encompasses legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or manmade, that are of such historic significance that they educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past. The historic elements reflect the actions of people and may include buildings, settlement patterns, and other examples of human activity. *Cultural quality is evidence and expressions of the customs or traditions of a distinct group of people. Cultural features include, but are not limited to, crafts, music, dance, rituals, festivals, speech, food, special events, or vernacular architecture. *Archeological quality involves those characteristics of the scenic byways corridor that are physical evidence of historic or prehistoric human life or activity. The scenic byway corridor's archeological interest, as identified through ruins, artifacts, structural remains, and other physical evidence have scientific significance that educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past. *Recreational quality involves outdoor recreational activities directly associated with and dependent upon the natural and cultural elements of the corridor's landscape. The recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive recreational experiences. They include, but are not limited to, downhill skiing, rafting, boating, fishing, and hiking. Driving the road itself may qualify as a pleasurable recreational experience. The recreational activities may be seasonal, but the quality and importance of the recreational activities as seasonal operations must be well recognized.

Corridor management plans

A corridor management plan must also be developed, with community involvement, and the plan "should provide for the conservation and enhancement of the byway's intrinsic qualities as well as the promotion of tourism and economic development". The plan includes, but is not limited to: *A map identifying the corridor boundaries and the location of intrinsic qualities and different land uses within the corridor. *A strategy for maintaining and enhancing those intrinsic qualities. *A strategy describing how existing development might be enhanced and new development might be accommodated while still preserving the intrinsic qualities of the corridor. *A general review of the road's or highway's safety and accident record to identify any correctable faults in highway design, maintenance, or operations. *A signage plan that demonstrates how the State will insure and make the number and placement of signs more supportive of the visitor experience. *A narrative describing how the National Scenic Byway will be positioned for marketing. Corridor management plans for All-American Roads must also include: *A narrative on how the All-American Road would be promoted, interpreted, and marketed in order to attract travelers, especially those from other countries. *A plan to encourage the accommodation of increased tourism, if this is projected. Some demonstration that the roadway, lodging and dining facilities, roadside rest areas, and other tourist necessities will be adequate for the number of visitors induced by the byway's designation as an All-American Road. *A plan for addressing multi-lingual information needs. The final step is when the highway (or highways) is approved for designation by the

United States Secretary of Transportation The United States secretary of transportation is the head of the United States Department of Transportation. The secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all matters relating to transportation. The secre ...

List of byways

} ecosystem , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Pioneer Historic Byway , , Idaho , US 91 at the Utah state line near

Franklin Franklin may refer to: People * Franklin (given name) * Franklin (surname) * Franklin (class), a member of a historical English social class Places Australia * Franklin, Tasmania, a township * Division of Franklin, federal electoral d ...

, SH 34 at the Wyoming state line near

Freedom Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one's purposes unhindered. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving on ...

, , Scenic route exploring the rich pioneer history of southeastern Idaho, including Mormon settlements and Oregon Trail ruts , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway State Route 447 (SR 447) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Nevada. The highway is almost entirely within Washoe County but does for a brief time enter Pershing County, Nevada. The highway connects the town of Gerlach to the remainder of the ...

, , Nevada , Washeim and Main streets in

Wadsworth Wadsworth may refer to: People * Wadsworth (surname) * Wadsworth (given name) Places * Wadsworth, Illinois, United States, a village * Wadsworth, Kansas, United States * Wadsworth, Nevada, United States, a census-designated place * Wadswo ...

, NV 447 near Nixon; NV 446 and Hardscrabble Canyon Road in Sutcliffe , , One of the largest desert lakes in the world , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway , , Maine , SR 17 near Houghton , SR 4 near Madrid , , Scenic drive along the northern Appalachian ridgeline and the forests and lakes of the Western Maine Mountains , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Red River Gorge Scenic Byway , , Kentucky , KY 11 at KY 715 in Zachariah , KY 11 at KY 213 in

Stanton Stanton may refer to: Places United Kingdom ;Populated places * Stanton, Derbyshire, near Swadlincote * Stanton, Gloucestershire * Stanton, Northumberland * Stanton, Staffordshire * Stanton, Suffolk * New Stanton, Derbyshire * Stanton by Bri ...

, , Scenic drive through the Red River Gorge , Natural , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" ,

Red Rock Scenic Byway State Route 179, also known as SR 179, the Red Rock Scenic Byway, a north–south state highway in Arizona, United States, running from Interstate 17 to SR 89A in Sedona, entering Coconino County from Yavapai County. In 2006, the US Dept. of ...

, , Arizona , I-17 north of

Rimrock Rimrock is the sheer rock wall at the upper edge of a plateau, canyon, or geological uplift. It may refer to either the rock formation or to the rock itself. Rimrock may be composed of almost any stone—basalt, gneiss, granite, sandstone, et ...

, SR 89A in

Sedona Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,031. It is within the Coconino National Fo ...

, , Scenic drive through the red sandstone canyons of the Coconino National Forest , Scenic, Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Religious Freedom Byway , , Maryland , MD 234 near

Port Tobacco Port Tobacco, officially Port Tobacco Village, is a town in Charles County, in southern Maryland, United States. The population was 13 at the 2010 census, making Port Tobacco the smallest incorporated town in Maryland. Overview This was historical ...

, MD 5 at Point Lookout State Park , , Provides access to historic churches and the first capital of Maryland, St. Mary's City , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Revolutionary Heritage Byway A revolutionary is a person who either participates in, or advocates a revolution. The term ''revolutionary'' can also be used as an adjective, to refer to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor ...

, , Rhode Island , Route 114 at the Mount Hope Bridge , Route 114 at Bristol-

Warren A warren is a network of wild rodent or lagomorph, typically rabbit burrows. Domestic warrens are artificial, enclosed establishment of animal husbandry dedicated to the raising of rabbits for meat and fur. The term evolved from the medieval Angl ...

town line , , Exemplifies the culture of colonial New England and the site of the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

River of Lakes Heritage Corridor A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of w ...

, , Florida , SR 415 in Sanford , River Drive in Oak Hill; US 17 near Seville , , Tours through the lakelands of the Halifax Area, site of some of the earliest settlements in Florida , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

River Road Scenic Byway The River Road National Scenic Byway (also called the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway) is a National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway in the US state of Michigan. This byway follows M-65 and River Road; it extends eastward ...

, , Michigan , M-65 and Rollways Road near Hale , US 23 in Oscoda , , Scenic drive through the

Au Sable River Valley The Au Sable River ( ) in Michigan, United States runs approximately U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed November 7, 2011 through the northern Lower Peninsula, through t ...

, Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in the U.S. state of Oregon. It provides a tour of the environs of the North Umpqua River, the High Cascades, and the Upper Rogue River. Route description Starting from Roseburg on O ...

, , Oregon , OR 234 at

I-5 Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main north–south Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific coast of the contiguous U.S. from Mexico to Canada. It travels through the states of Californi ...

Gold Hill Gold Hill may refer to: Canada * Gold Hill, British Columbia United Kingdom * Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, a steep street used in Hovis commercial United States ;Alabama * Gold Hill, Alabama ;California * Gold Hill, El Dorado County, C ...

, OR 138 at I-5 in Roseburg , , Follows two scenic rivers through southwestern Oregon , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Route One, Big Sur Coast Highway , , California , San Luis Obispo– Monterey county line , Ocean Avenue in

Carmel Carmel may refer to: * Carmel (biblical settlement), an ancient Israelite town in Judea * Mount Carmel, a coastal mountain range in Israel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea * Carmelites, a Roman Catholic mendicant religious order Carmel may also ...

, , Scenic drive along the

Pacific coast Pacific coast may be used to reference any coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean. Geography Americas Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western or southwestern border, except for Panama, where the Pac ...

, Historic, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" ,

Route One, San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway State Route 1 (SR 1) is a major north–south state highway that runs along most of the West Coast of the United States, Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At , it is the longest state route in California, and the List of ...

, , California , US 101 in San Luis Obispo , San Luis Obispo– Monterey county line , , Scenic drive along the

, Historic, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway , , Georgia , SR 348, SR 17, SR 75 near Robertstown , SR 180 at Brasstown Bald , , Winds through the southern Appalachians and the highest point in Georgia , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" ,

San Juan Skyway The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a All-American Road, National Forest Scenic Byway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, ...

, , Colorado , US 160 in

Durango Durango (), officially named Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango ( en, Free and Sovereign State of Durango; Tepehuán: ''Korian''; Nahuatl: ''Tepēhuahcān''), is one of the 31 states which make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico, situated in ...

; SSR 145 in Cortez , SR 62 in Ridgeway; US 550 in Ouray , , Loop through the San Juan Mountains, Colorado's most rugged and isolated mountain range , Historic, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway , , Nebraska , N-2 in Alliance , NE 2 in Grand Island , , Route through the ecologically unique Sand Hills, the largest dunefield in the western hemisphere , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway , , Colorado, New Mexico , Santa Fe Plaza in Santa Fe , US 50/ US 400 at the Kansas state line near Holly; NM 410 at the Oklahoma state line near Clayton , , Follows part of the route of the historic

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, th ...

through scenic mountains and high plains , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Savannah River Scenic Byway , , South Carolina , SC 28 at the Georgia border near Clarks Hill , SC 24 in Oakway , , Scenic drive along the

Savannah River The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the norther ...

in rural South Carolina , Historic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Scenic Byway 12 (Journey Through Time) , , Utah , US 89 near

Panguitch Panguitch ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Garfield County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,520 at the 2010 census, and was estimated in 2018 to be 1,691. The name Panguitch comes from a Southern Paiute word meaning “Big Fish ...

, SR 24 near Torrey , (AAR) , Scenic drive through canyons, plateaus, and valleys , Historic, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Scenic Byway 143 - Utah's Patchwork Parkway , , Utah , SR 143 at

I-15 I15 may refer to: * Interstate 15, a north–south Interstate Highway in the United States of America * Polikarpov I-15, a Soviet fighter aircraft * I15 (band) "Soulja Girl" is the second single from American rapper Soulja Boy's studio album '' ...

Parowan Parowan ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Iron County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,790 at the 2010 census, and in 2018 the estimated population was 3,100. Parowan became the first incorporated city in Iron County in 1851. A ...

, UT 143 at US 89 in

, , Scenic drive through Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Scenic Highway 30A , , Florida , CR 30A at US 98 near

Santa Rosa Beach Santa Rosa Beach is an Unincorporated area, unincorporated community in Walton County, Florida, Walton County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Santa R ...

, CR 30A at US 98 near Rosemary Beach , , Local route through historic beach communities on Florida's

Emerald Coast The Emerald Coast is an unofficial name for the coastal area in the US state of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico that stretches about through five counties, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay, which include Pensacola Beach, Navar ...

, Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Scenic Highway of Legends Scenic may refer to: * Scenic design * Scenic painting * Scenic overlook * Scenic railroad (disambiguation) * Scenic route * Scenic, South Dakota, United States * Scenic (horse), a Thoroughbred racehorse Aviation *Airwave Scenic, an Austrian par ...

, , Colorado , SH 12 near

Stonewall Stonewall or Stone wall may refer to: * Stone wall, a kind of masonry construction * Stonewalling, engaging in uncooperative or delaying tactics * Stonewall riots, a 1969 turning point for the modern LGBTQ rights movement in Greenwich Village, Ne ...

, US 160 in

Walsenburg The City of Walsenburg is the Statutory City that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Huerfano County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 3,049 at the 2020 census, down from 3,068 in 2010. History Walsenbur ...

; SH 12 in Trinidad , , Route through undisturbed cultural crossroads in the

Spanish Peaks The Spanish Peaks are a pair of prominent mountains located in southwestern Huerfano County, Colorado, Huerfano County, Colorado. The Comanche people, Comanche people call them Huajatolla ( ) or Wa-to-yah meaning "double mountain". The two peak ...

, Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Schoodic Scenic Byway Acadia National Park is an American national park located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, southwest of Bar Harbor. The park preserves about half of Mount Desert Island, part of the Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and ...

, , Maine , US 1 in Hancock , SSR 186 at SR 195 in

Prospect Harbor Prospect Harbor is a bay in Gouldsboro, Maine. It is separated from Gouldsboro Bay to the northeast by Cranberry Point and from Winter Harbor to the west by the Schoodic Peninsula The Schoodic Peninsula is a peninsula in Down East Maine. I ...

, , Unspoiled coastline through the

Schoodic Peninsula The Schoodic Peninsula is a peninsula in Down East Maine. It is located four miles (6 km) east of Bar Harbor, Maine, as the crow flies. The Schoodic Peninsula contains , or approximately 5% of Acadia National Park. It includes the towns of ...

and the "quiet side" of Acadia National Park , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" ,

Selma to Montgomery March Byway The Selma to Montgomery marches were three protest marches, held in 1965, along the 54-mile (87 km) highway from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. The marches were organized by nonviolent activists to demonstrate th ...

, , Alabama , J.L. Chestnut Jr. Boulevard and Martin Luther King Street in Selma , Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery , , Historic route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. , Historic, Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway , , Tenneesee , SR 28 at

I-24 Interstate 24 (I-24) is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from I-57, south of Marion, Illinois, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at I-75. It travels through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, ...

in Jasper , SR 28 / US 127 at I-40 in Crossville , , Route through one of the most undisturbed valleys in the Appalachians , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Seward Highway , , Alaska , Railway Avenue in Seward , East 5th Avenue in

Anchorage Anchorage () is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska by population. With a population of 291,247 in 2020, it contains nearly 40% of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolitan area, which includes Anchorage and the neighboring Ma ...

, (NSB)
June 15, 2000 (AAR) , Showcases the peaks and fjords of south-central Alaska , Recreational, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway Sheyenne may be * ''Sheyenne'', North Dakota, USA; a city in Eton County * ''Sheyenne River The Sheyenne River is one of the major tributaries of the Red River of the North, meandering U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high- ...

, , North Dakota , ND 32 in

Lisbon Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...

, CR 21 north of Valley City , , Historic drive through quaint farmland along the

Sheyenne River The Sheyenne River is one of the major tributaries of the Red River of the North, meandering U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed June 8, 2011 across eastern North Dakota, Uni ...

, Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Silver Thread Colorado Scenic & Historic Byway , , Colorado , SH 149 and US 160 in South Fork , SH 149 and US 50 in Curecanti National Recreation Area , , Route tracing the geological and mining history in the San Juan Mountains , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Sky Island Scenic Byway The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space. In the field of astronomy, ...

, , Arizona ,

Catalina Highway The Catalina Highway, officially the General Hitchcock Highway, is the popular name for a Forest Highway and scenic route located in Pima County in southern Arizona. Also known as the Sky Island Scenic Byway, the Mount Lemmon Highway and Arizona ...

north of Tucson , Catalina Highway in Summerhaven , , Climb from the Sonoran Desert through Coronado National Forest to the peak of Mount Lemmon in the

Catalina Mountains The Santa Catalina Mountains, commonly referred to as the Catalina Mountains or the Catalinas, are north and northeast of Tucson in Arizona, United States, on Tucson's north perimeter. The mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, w ...

, Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Skyline Drive , , Virginia , US 250 near I-64 in Rockfish Gap , US 340 near Front Royal , , Scenic drive through Shenandoah National Park , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic Byway , , Maine , SR 161 in Allagash; SR 11 at Portage Lake , US 1 in

Hamlin Hamlin may refer to: Places * Hamlin, Iowa, a city * Hamlin, Kansas, a city * Hamlin, Kentucky, a town * Hamlin, Maine, a town * Hamlin, Michigan, a former community * Hamlin, New York, a town ** Hamlin (CDP), New York, a census-designated pl ...

, , Route through the Saint John and Fish river valleys in the rural "County" of northern Maine , Cultural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike , , West Virginia , WV 47 and WV 618 in

Parkersburg Parkersburg is a city in and the county seat of Wood County, West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, it is the state's fourth-largest city and the largest city in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna metro ...

, West Virginia–Virginia state line on US 250 , , Historic drive through West Virginia forests and backcountry , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Stevens Pass Greenway Stevens may refer to: People * Stevens (surname), including a list of people with the surname Given name * Stevens Baker (1791–1868), farmer and member of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada * Stevens T. Mason (1811–1843), territorial ...

, , Washington , US 2 near Monroe , US 2 in Cashmere , , Scenic drive across the Cascades , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway - SR 112 State Route 112 (SR 112, named the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway) is a state highway and scenic byway in the U.S. state of Washington. It runs east–west for along the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Clallam County, connecting the Makah In ...

, , Washington ,

Makah Indian Reservation Makah Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Makah Native Americans located on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The northern boundary of the reservation is the Strait of Juan de Fuca. ...

boundary near Neah Bay , US 101 near

Port Angeles Port Angeles ( ) is a city and county seat of Clallam County, Washington, United States. With a population of 19,960 as of the 2020 census, it is the largest city in the county. The population was estimated at 20,134 in 2021. The city's har ...

, , Follows the shoreline of the Olympic Peninsula where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Talimena Scenic Drive , , Arkansas, Oklahoma , SH 1 and US 271 near Talihina , AR 88 and US 71 in Mena , , Crest drive through the Ouachita Mountains, some of the highest ridges between the Appalachians and Rockies , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Talladega Scenic Drive , , Alabama , Adams Gap Road southwest of

Cheaha State Park Cheaha State Park is a public recreation area located in Clay and Cleburne counties in Alabama, USA. The park's include Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state. The park adjoins Talladega National Forest and is managed by the Alabama ...

, US 78 west of

Heflin Heflin may refer to: Places in the United States * Heflin, Alabama * Heflin, Kentucky * Heflin, Louisiana * Heflin, Virginia Other uses * Heflin (surname) {{Disambiguation ...

, , Scenic drive through the southernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , The Battle Road Scenic Byway , , Masschusetts , Barrett's Mill Road near Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord ,

Massachusetts Avenue Massachusetts Avenue may refer to: * Massachusetts Avenue (metropolitan Boston), Massachusetts ** Massachusetts Avenue (MBTA Orange Line station), a subway station on the MBTA Orange Line ** Massachusetts Avenue (MBTA Silver Line station), a stati ...

Alewife Brook Alewife Brook Reservation is a Massachusetts state park and urban wild located in Cambridge, Arlington, and Somerville. The park is managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and was established in 1900. It is named for Alewi ...

in Arlington , , Connects sites of literary, technological, and environmental importance to the American Revolution , Historic, Cultural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road , , California , Big Oak Flat entrance gate to

Yosemite Yosemite National Park ( ) is an American national park in California, surrounded on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers an ar ...

, Tioga Pass entrance gate to

, , High mountain pass through Yosemite National Park , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Top of the Rockies , , Colorado , SH 82 in Aspen , I-70 west of Vail; I-70 near Copper Mountain ,
October 16, 2009 (extended) , Scenic high-altitude drive through the Rocky Mountains and historic Leadville , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Trail of the Ancients The Trail of the Ancients is a collection of National Scenic Byways located in the U.S. Four Corners states of Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. These byways comprise: *The Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway in San Juan County, Utah; *The ...

, , Colorado, Utah, New Mexico , Loop connecting:

Monument Valley Monument Valley ( nv, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, , meaning ''valley of the rocks'') is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of sandstone buttes, the largest reaching above the valley floor. It is located on the Utah-Arizona s ...

Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo (also Zuñi Pueblo, Zuni: ''Halona Idiwan’a'' meaning ‘Middle Place’) is a census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 6,302 as of the 2010 Census. It is inhabited largely b ...

, El Malpais National Monument , Loop connecting: Natural Bridges National Monument, Monticello, Mesa Verde National Park ,
February 16, 2021 (NM) , Scenic drive through the Native American history of the

Four Corners The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. The Four Corners area ...

region , Archeological , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. T ...

, , New Mexico , US 180 in Silver City; NM 35 and NM 152 in

San Lorenzo San Lorenzo is the Italian and Spanish name for Lawrence of Rome, Saint Lawrence, the 3rd-century Christian martyr, and may refer to: Places Argentina * San Lorenzo, Santa Fe * San Lorenzo Department, Chaco * Monte San Lorenzo, a mountain on t ...

, NM 15 at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument , , Scenic drive through the mountains of southwestern New Mexico , Natural , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road , , Colorado , US 34 near Grand Lake , Loop connecting: Moraine Avenue and West Elkhorn Avenue in

Estes Park Estes Park is a statutory town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 5,904 at the 2020 United States Census. Estes Park is a part of the Fort Collins, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corr ...

, (AAR) , America's highest continuously paved road crosses the alpine tundra of

Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately northwest of Denver in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and ...

, Natural, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Turquoise Trail Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula . It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of year ...

, , New Mexico , NM 14 at NM 333 in Tijeras , NM 14 at I-25 in Santa Fe , , High route between Albuquerque and Santa Fe , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway , , California, Oregon , A bypass around Lake Almanor , US 97 and OR 138 at Diamond Lake Junction , (AAR, Oregon)
(AAR, California) , Scenic drive through the Cascade Volcanic Arc , Natural, Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Washington Heritage Trail The Washington Heritage Trail is a National Scenic Byway through the easternmost counties of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The trail forms a loop through the three counties and traces the footsteps of George Washington and the marks his fami ...

, , West Virginia , WV 9 in Paw Paw , WV 51 in Harpers Ferry , , Scenic drive tracing the footsteps of

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

through West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

West Cascades Scenic Byway The West Cascades Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in the U.S. state of Oregon. The route is designed to provide a tour on the west side of the Cascade Range along the east side of the Willamette Valley. Route description The route is rou ...

, , Oregon , OR 58 in Oakridge , OR 224 in

Estacada Estacada is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, about southeast of Portland. The 2020 population is estimated to be 3,700. According to the 2010 census, the population in 2010 was 2,695. It is the 89th largest city in Oregon and t ...

, , Intimate backcountry tour of old-growth forests, rivers, and lakes along the west side of the Cascades , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Western Heritage Historic Byway , , Idaho , Swan Falls Road at the

Swan Falls Dam Swan Falls Dam is a concrete gravity type hydroelectric dam in the western United States, on the Snake River in southwestern Idaho. At the dam, the river is the border of Ada and Owyhee counties; it is approximately east of Murphy, the s ...

, SH 69 at

I-84 Interstate 84 may refer to: * Interstate 84 (Oregon–Utah), passing through Idaho, formerly known as Interstate 80N * Interstate 84 (Pennsylvania–Massachusetts) Interstate 84 (I-84) is an Interstate Highway in the Northeaster ...

Meridian Meridian or a meridian line (from Latin ''meridies'' via Old French ''meridiane'', meaning “midday”) may refer to Science * Meridian (astronomy), imaginary circle in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the celestial equator and horizon * ...

, , Scenic drive to the Snake River Canyon , Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Western Highlands Scenic Byway The New Jersey Scenic Byways system consists of roads in the U.S. state of New Jersey that have been recognized for their historical or natural qualities. List of byways There are currently eight scenic byways in the state of New Jersey: Bayshor ...

, , New Jersey , CR 515 at Route 23 in Hardyston Township , Route 94 at the New York state line in Vernon Township , , Route through the central Appalachian Highlands in the

Skylands Region The Skylands Region (or simply known as Skylands) is a region New Jersey located in the Northern and Central part of the state. It is one of six tourism regions established by the New Jersey State Department of Tourism; the others are Gateway ...

of New Jersey , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...

, , Kansas , NE 70th Street and US 281 near St. John , US 281 and K-4 near Hoisington , , Scenic drive through wetlands of central Kansas , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , White Mountain Trail , , New Hampshire , US 3 near Lincoln , US 302 in Conway , , Passes through the White Mountains and past

Mount Washington Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at and the most topographically prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River. The mountain is notorious for its erratic weather. On the afternoon of April 12, 1934, ...

, Scenic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

White Pass Scenic Byway White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

, , Washington , US 12 at

near

Chehalis Chehalis may refer to: People * Chehalis people, a Native American people of Washington state **Lower Chehalis language **Upper Chehalis language * Sts'Ailes people (Chehalis people), a First Nation in British Columbia * Chehalis First Nation, Bri ...

, US 12 at SR 410 near Naches , , Scenic route through Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests, across the Cascades through White Pass , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway , , Indiana , Loop connecting: Lawrenceburg, Batesville on SR 101, SR 46, SR 350 , Loop connecting: Hagestown,

West Harrison West Harrison is a town in Harrison Township, Dearborn County, Indiana, United States. The population was 289 at the 2010 census. History Settlers at West Harrison found numerous mounds constructed by Indians. West Harrison was laid out in 181 ...

on SR 1, SR 121, US 52, US 27, US 40 , , Follows a canalway connecting the National Road to the Ohio River Valley , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Wichita Mountains Byway , , Oklahoma , Loop connecting: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Park on SH 49 , Loop connecting: Carnegie,

Apache The Apache () are a group of culturally related Native American tribes in the Southwestern United States, which include the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Mimbreño, Ndendahe (Bedonkohe or Mogollon and Nednhi or Carrizaleño an ...

on SH 115, SH 58, SH 19 , , Guides drivers through the protected valleys of the 550 million-year-old Wichita Mountains , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Wilderness Road Heritage Highway , , Kentucky , US 25E at the Cumberland Gap near Middlesboro , US 25 in

Berea Berea may refer to: Places Greece * Beroea, a place mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, now known as Veria or Veroia Lesotho * Berea District Romania * Berea, a village in Ciumești Commune, Satu Mare County * Berea, a tributary of the Va ...

, , Follows Daniel Boone's historic entrance to the valleys of Kentucky , Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" ,

Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway The Wisconsin Scenic Byways are a system consisting of roads in the U.S. state of Wisconsin that travel through areas of scenic and historic interest. The intent of this system is to promote tourism and raise awareness of the communities along t ...

, , Wisconsin , WIS 13 near Brule , WIS 13 and US 2 near Ashland , , Follows the Lake Superior coastline through the

Bayfield Peninsula The Bayfield Peninsula is a peninsula on Lake Superior. It is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin USA. It is the northernmost region of mainland Wisconsin, with the south shore of Lake Superior to the west and the Chequamegon Bay to the east. T ...

near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore , Natural , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Woodlands Trace , , Kentucky, Tennessee , SR 49 near

Dover Dover () is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone ...

, KY 453 near Grand Rivers , , Ridge-top route through Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area , Recreational , , - , bgcolor=ffe7e7 align=center , AAR ! scope="row" , Woodward Avenue (M-1) – Automotive Heritage Trail , , Michigan , Jefferson Avenue in Detroit , Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard in Pontiac , (NSB)
February 16. 2021 (AAR) , Connects automobile-related historic sites of the "

Motor City Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at ...

" , Cultural, Historic , , - , bgcolor=e7e7ff align=center , NSB ! scope="row" , Zion Scenic Byway , , Utah , SR 9 at SR 17 in

La Verkin : 'The Virgin' , established_title1 = Incorporated , established_date1 = 1927 , unit_pref = Imperial , area_footnotes = , area_magnitude = , area_total_km2 = 33.10 , area_land_km2 = 33.10 ...

, SR 9 at Zion National Park boundary near Mt. Carmel Junction , , Scenic route through

Zion Canyon Zion Canyon (also called Little Zion, Mukuntuweap, Mu-Loon'-Tu-Weap, and Straight Cañon; ''weap'' is Paiute for canyon) is a deep and narrow gorge in southwestern Utah, United States, carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River. Nearly the entir ...

, the Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and the red rock country of southern Utah , Scenic ,

Former byways

Notes

References

External links

America's Byways
official National Scenic Byways website from the Federal Highway Administration {{Scenic Byways

National Scenic Byway A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Co ...