National Scenic Byway
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| National Scenic Byways Program | |
|---|---|
 Highway marker | |
 All-American Roads highlighted with red dots, National Scenic Byways with blue dots | |
| System information | |
| Formed | 1991 (1991)[1] |
| Highway names | |
| Interstates | Interstate nn (I-nn) |
| US Highways | U.S. Highway nn, U.S. Route nn (US nn) |
| State | Varies by state |
| System links | |
| |
A sign indicating the National Scenic Byway designation for the Creole Nature Trail
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 November 2010, there are 120 National Scenic Byways and 31 All-American Roads, located in 46 states (all except Hawaii, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Texas).[2]
Contents
1 History
2 Requirements
2.1 Intrinsic qualities
2.2 Corridor management plans
3 List of byways
4 Gallery
5 See also
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links
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 signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which provided $175 million to states and Indian tribes. Most recently, on October 16, 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood designated 37 new roads as National Scenic Byways and five new All-American Roads.[3]
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).[4]
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.[4]
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.[4]
Corridor management plans for All-American Roads must also include:[4]
- 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.[4]
List of byways
| Type | Name | Length (mi) | Length (km) | State(s) | Southern or western terminus | Northern or eastern terminus | Date designated | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSB | A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway | 72 | 116 | Florida | June 13, 2002 | Follows Atlantic coast barrier islands | [5] | ||
| AAR | Acadia All-American Road | 41.0 | 66.0 | Maine | A loop that begins and ends at the intersection of SR 3 and Paradise Hill Rd. near Hulls Cove | Ellsworth–Trenton town line on SR 3 | June 15, 2000 (AAR) | Scenic drive providing access to the coastal mountains of Acadia National Park | [6] |
| NSB | Alabama’s Coastal Connection | 130.0 | 209.2 | Alabama | I-10 and Grand Bay Wilmer Rd. north of Grand Bay | I-10 and US 98 south of Spanish Fort | October 16, 2009 | Scenic and historic drive along Alabama's Gulf Coast | [7] |
| AAR | Alaska's Marine Highway | 3,500.0 | 5,632.7 | Alaska | June 13, 2002 (NSB) September 22, 2005 (AAR) | Ferry system connecting Alaskan coastal communities | [8] | ||
| NSB | Amish Country | 76.2 | 122.6 | Ohio | June 13, 2002 | Historic drive through eastern Ohio's Amish communities | [9] | ||
| NSB | Arroyo Seco Parkway Scenic Byway | 9.5 | 15.3 | California | June 13, 2002 | The first freeway in the Western U.S., connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena through the Arroyo Seco | [10] | ||
| NSB | Ashley River Road | 11.0 | 17.7 | South Carolina | Mile marker 5.84 on SC 61 | Mile marker 15.75 on SC 61 | June 15, 2000 | Traverses a historic plantation district along the Ashley River near Charleston | [11] |
| NSB | Baltimore's Historic Charles Street | 12 | 19 | Maryland | October 16, 2009 | Runs along Charles Street, the main street of Baltimore | [12] | ||
| AAR | Beartooth Highway | 68.7 | 110.6 | Montana, Wyoming | June 15, 2000 (AAR) June 13, 2002 (extended in Montana) | Scenic northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park | [13] | ||
| NSB | Big Bend Scenic Byway | 220.0 | 354.1 | Florida | First discovered in 1528 by Panfilo de Narvaez and was occupied by Spanish, English, American, and Confederate forces | [14] | |||
| NSB | Billy the Kid Trail National Scenic Byway | 84.2 | 135.5 | New Mexico | NM 48 and Sudderth Dr. in Ruidoso | US 70 and US 380 near Hondo | June 9, 1998 | Loop through historic Old West towns in the rugged mountains of the Lincoln National Forest | [15] |
| AAR | Blue Ridge Parkway | 469 | 755 | North Carolina, Virginia | September 19, 1996 (AAR, North Carolina) September 22, 2005 (AAR, Virginia) | Scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains | [16] | ||
| NSB | Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway | 12.3 | 19.8 | Delaware | September 22, 2005 | Historic rolling hills of northern Delaware | [17] | ||
| NSB | Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway | 66 | 106 | Oregon | June 9, 1998 | Connects lakes and forests of central Oregon | [18] | ||
| NSB | Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Maryland, Virginia | September 22, 2005 | Scenic and historic drive through the Catoctin Mountains; now part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway | |||
| NSB | Cherohala Skyway | 43.0 | 69.2 | North Carolina, Tennessee | September 19, 1996 (Tennessee) June 9, 1998 (North Carolina) | Ridgetop drive in the Appalachians | [19] | ||
| NSB | Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway | 119.8 | 192.8 | South Carolina | I-85 west of Fair Play | SC 150 in Gaffney | June 9, 1998 | Follows part of the historic Cherokee Path through the Blue Ridge Escarpment of Upstate South Carolina | [20] |
| NSB | Cherokee Hills Byway | 84.0 | 135.2 | Oklahoma | I-40 south of Gore | Oklahoma–Arkansas state line on US 412 | 2009 | Situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, this route showcases eastern Oklahoma’s tremendous natural diversity and rich Cherokee heritage | [21] |
| NSB | Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway | 85.5 | 137.6 | Maryland | MD 18 in Stevensville (southern spur) and MD 445 on Eastern Neck Island (northern spur) | Chesapeake & Delaware Canal on MD 213 in Chesapeake City | June 13, 2002 | Traverses the historic Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay | [22] |
| AAR | Chinook Scenic Byway | 85 | 137 | Washington | June 9, 1998 (AAR) | Scenic drive with views of Mount Rainier | |||
| NSB | Coal Heritage Trail | 0 | 0 | West Virginia | June 9, 1998 | Historic drive through coal-producing areas of southwestern West Virginia | |||
| AAR | Colonial Parkway | 0 | 0 | Virginia | September 22, 2005 (AAR) | Landscaped parkway through historic areas | |||
| NSB | Colorado River Headwaters Byway | 69.0 | 111.0 | Colorado | SH 131 and Trough Rd. south of Bond | US 34 and W. Portal Rd. in Grand Lake | September 22, 2005 | Follows the upper reaches of the Colorado River past alpine reservoirs, lush ranchlands, and dramatic canyon landscapes | [23] |
| NSB | Connecticut River Byway | 0 | 0 | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive on both sides of New England's longest river | |||
| NSB | Connecticut State Route 169 | 32.1 | 51.7 | Connecticut | Route 138 in Lisbon | Connecticut–Massachusetts state line on SR 169 | September 19, 1996 | Scenic and historic route through one of the last unspoiled areas in New England | [24] |
| NSB | Copper Country Trail | 47.6 | 76.6 | Michigan | Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Hancock | M-26 in Copper Harbor | September 22, 2005 | Traverses an area developed for copper mining | [25] |
| NSB | Coronado Trail Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Arizona | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through high deserts and forests | |||
| NSB | Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Washington | September 22, 2005 | Passes through coulees formed by receding glaciers | |||
| NSB | Country Music Highway | 0 | 0 | Kentucky | June 13, 2002 | Historic drive through eastern Kentucky | |||
| AAR | Creole Nature Trail | 0 | 0 | Louisiana | September 19, 1996 (NSB) June 13, 2002 (AAR) | Marshes and prairies of southern Louisiana | |||
| NSB | Crowley's Ridge Parkway | 0 | 0 | Arkansas, Missouri | June 9, 1998 (Arkansas) June 15, 2000 (Missouri) | Scenic drive along Crowley's Ridge, with a diversity of plant species | |||
| NSB | Death Valley Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | California | June 9, 1998 June 13, 2002 (extended) | Scenic drive through the lowest place in North America, surrounded by mountains | |||
| NSB | Delaware River Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | New Jersey | October 16, 2009 | Scenic and historic drive along the Delaware River in central New Jersey | |||
| NSB | Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 0 | 0 | Colorado, Utah | June 13, 2002 | Passes many dinosaur fossil sites | |||
| NSB | East Tennessee Crossing | 83.8 | 134.9 | Tennessee | North Carolina–Tennessee state line on US 25 near Del Rio | Tennessee–Kentucky state line on US 25E near Cumberland Gap | October 16, 2009 | Explores the historic trails, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities of East Tennessee's Appalachian backcountry | [26] |
| NSB | Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | California | September 22, 2005 | Crossing of the Sierra Nevada past giant sequoia groves | |||
| NSB | Edge of the Wilderness | 46.8 | 75.3 | Minnesota | US 2 in Grand Rapids | MN 1 in Effie | September 19, 1996 | Scenic drive through forests and rollings hills of the Minnesota Northwoods | [27] |
| NSB | Edisto Island National Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | South Carolina | October 16, 2009 | Scenic drive along marshes and through live oak forests in the Lowcountry of South Carolina | |||
| NSB | El Camino Real | 0 | 0 | New Mexico | June 9, 1998 September 22, 2005 (extended) | Historic north–south route through central New Mexico | |||
| NSB | The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Utah | June 15, 2000 | Historic drive past coal mining operations | |||
| NSB | Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Utah | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive through the Uinta Mountains | |||
| NSB | Flint Hills Scenic Byway | 48.0 | 77.2 | Kansas | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through Great Plains grasslands | |||
| AAR | Florida Keys Scenic Highway | 106.5 | 171.4 | Florida | Mile marker 0 on US 1 in Key West | Jewfish Creek Bridge on Key Largo | October 16, 2009 (AAR) | Scenic route across a system of open ocean bridges connecting the numerous tropical islands of the Florida Keys | [28] |
| NSB | Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | North Carolina | October 16, 2009 | ||||
| NSB | Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway | 0 | 0 | Colorado | June 9, 1998 | Follows the paths of early explorers through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains | |||
| AAR | George Washington Memorial Parkway | 0 | 0 | Virginia, Washington, D.C. | September 22, 2005 (AAR) | Landscaped parkway along the Potomac River | |||
| NSB | Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | New Mexico | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive past mountains and lakes of southwestern New Mexico | |||
| NSB | Glenn Highway | 0 | 0 | Alaska | June 13, 2002 | Terrain shaped by receding glaciers | |||
| NSB | Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway | 0 | 0 | Colorado | June 15, 2000 | Follows stage and rail routes to historic gold mining locations | |||
| NSB | Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway | 0 | 0 | Colorado | September 19, 1996 | Climbs to Grand Mesa | |||
| NSB | Grand Rounds Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Minnesota | June 9, 1998 | Continuous parkway surrounding Minneapolis | |||
| NSB | Great Lakes Seaway Trail | 518 | 834 | New York, Pennsylvania | Ohio–Pennsylvania state line on US 20 west of Erie, Pennsylvania | Seaway International Bridge near Massena, New York | September 19, 1996 (New York) September 22, 2005 (Pennsylvania) | Scenic drive along the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River | [29] |
| NSB | Great River Road | 2,069 | 3,330 | Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin | LA 23 in Venice, Louisiana | Itasca State Park north of Park Rapids, Minnesota | June 15, 2000 (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin) June 13, 2002 (Arkansas) September 22, 2005 (Mississippi) October 16, 2009 (Tennessee) | Numerous scenic, historic, and culturally significant roadways paralleling the entire length of the Mississippi River from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico | [30] |
| AAR | Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway | 0 | 0 | Maryland | October 16, 2009 | Provides access to historical sites related to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad | |||
| AAR | Hells Canyon Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 15, 2000 (AAR) | Provides views of Hells Canyon on the Snake River | |||
| NSB | Highland Scenic Highway | 0 | 0 | West Virginia | September 19, 1996 | Scenic drive through mountains and valleys | |||
| NSB | Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Minnesota | June 13, 2002 | Historic and scenic drive through southeastern Minnesota | |||
| AAR | Historic Columbia River Highway | 40.0 | 64.4 | Oregon | Crown Point Highway east of Troutdale (western section); US 30 and I-84 in Mosier (eastern section) | I-84 near the Bonneville Dam (western section); US 30 and Hostetler Way in The Dalles (eastern section) | June 9, 1998 (AAR) | America's oldest scenic highway exists in two discontinuous sections which follow historic routes through the Columbia River Gorge | [31] |
| AAR | Historic National Road | 0 | 0 | Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia | June 9, 1998 (NSB, Indiana) June 15, 2000 (NSB, Illinois) June 13, 2002 (AAR, all states) | Historic gateway to the Midwestern U.S. | |||
| NSB | Historic Route 66 | 2,488 | 4,004 | Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma | June 15, 2000 (New Mexico) September 22, 2005 (Arizona, Illinois) | Historic "Mother Road" linking Chicago to Los Angeles | |||
| NSB | Illinois River Road: Route of the Voyageurs | 0 | 0 | Illinois | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through the Illinois River Valley | |||
| NSB | Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway | 233 | 375 | Florida | US 1 and 85th St. in Wabasso | US 1 and Kennedy Parkway near Oak Hill | June 13, 2002 | Series of connected loops providing access to the most biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in the northern hemisphere, as well as Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral | [32][33] |
| AAR | International Selkirk Loop | 0 | 0 | Idaho, Washington | September 22, 2005 (AAR) | Loop around the Selkirk Mountains | |||
| NSB | Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | New Mexico | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive past geological formations and Indian ruins | |||
| NSB | Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway | 200 | 320 | Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia | A loop that begins and ends at the intersection of SR 20 and SR 231 near Somerset, Virginia | PA 394 near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | October 16, 2009 | Historic corridor featuring hundreds of sites significant to American history, most notably the densest collection of Civil War battlefields in the nation; "Where America Happened" | [34] |
| NSB | Kaibab Plateau–North Rim Parkway | 43.4 | 69.8 | Arizona | Bright Angel Point in Grand Canyon National Park | US 89A in Jacob Lake | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive through dense ponderosa pine forests to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon | [35] |
| NSB | Kancamagus Scenic Byway | 26.5 | 42.6 | New Hampshire | September 19, 1996 | Passes through the White Mountains | |||
| NSB | Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail | 0 | 0 | Ohio | September 22, 2005 | Follows the south shore of Lake Erie | |||
| NSB | Lake Tahoe - Eastshore Drive | 0 | 0 | Nevada | September 19, 1996 | Follows the east shore of Lake Tahoe | |||
| AAR | Lakes to Locks Passage | 234.0 | 376.6 | New York | US 4 and NY 32 in Waterford | US 11 and NY 9B in Rouses Point | June 13, 2002 (AAR) | Parallels the interconnected waterways of the Hudson River, Champlain Canal, Lake George, and Lake Champlain, which form a water corridor between Upstate New York and the Canadian province of Quebec | [36] |
| NSB | Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway | 40 | 64 | Colorado | Begins and ends at the intersection of 6th Ave. and 19th St. in Golden | October 16, 2009 | Loops through the historic towns of Morrison, Evergreen and Golden in the foothills west of Denver | [37] | |
| AAR | Las Vegas Strip | 4.5 | 7.2 | Nevada | Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Rd. | Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Ave. | June 15, 2000 (AAR) | Urban boulevard lined with the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas' world-famous casinos | [38] |
| NSB | Lincoln Highway | 0 | 0 | Illinois | June 15, 2000 | A portion of America's first transcontinental highway, the Lincoln Highway | |||
| NSB | Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road | 0 | 0 | Missouri | June 13, 2002 | Part of the Great River Road in northeastern Missouri | |||
| NSB | Loess Hills Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Iowa | June 15, 2000 | Silt deposits in the Missouri River Valley | |||
| NSB | Logan Canyon Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Utah | June 13, 2002 | Passes through scenic Logan Canyon | |||
| NSB | McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 9, 1998 | Loop across two Cascade passes | |||
| NSB | Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route | 0 | 0 | Illinois | June 9, 1998 June 15, 2000 (extended) | Floodplain where the Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri rivers meet | |||
| NSB | Merritt Parkway | 37.3 | 60.0 | Connecticut | New York–Connecticut state line on Route 15 | Sikorsky Bridge on the Housatonic River near Milford | September 19, 1996 | Historic parkway through Connecticut's Gold Coast known for its elaborate architecture | [39] |
| NSB | Midland Trail | 0 | 0 | West Virginia | June 15, 2000 | Scenic drive through the New River Gorge | |||
| NSB | Millstone Valley Scenic Byway | 25 | 40 | New Jersey | October 16, 2009 | Scenic and historic drive along the Millstone River in central New Jersey | |||
| NSB | Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Minnesota | June 13, 2002 | Historic drive through the Minnesota River Valley | |||
| NSB | Mohawk Towpath Byway | 0 | 0 | New York | September 22, 2005 | Follows the historic Erie Canal | |||
| NSB | Mountains to Sound Greenway - I-90 | 0 | 0 | Washington | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive across the Cascades | |||
| NSB | Mt. Hood Scenic Byway | 105 | 169 | Oregon | Troutdale Bridge crossing the Sandy River near Troutdale | OR 35 near Hood River | September 22, 2005 | Provides scenic views of Mount Hood | [40] |
| AAR | Natchez Trace Parkway | 444 | 715 | Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee | September 19, 1996 (AAR) | Early trail connecting the Mississippi Territory with Nashville | |||
| NSB | Native American Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | North Dakota, South Dakota | June 9, 1998 (South Dakota) September 22, 2005 (extended in both states) | Traverses four Lakota Sioux reservations | |||
| NSB | Nebo Loop Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Utah | June 9, 1998 | Passes near Mount Nebo in the Wasatch Range | |||
| AAR | North Shore Scenic Drive | 154.0 | 247.8 | Minnesota | Canal Park in Duluth | Canadian border on MN 61 near Grand Portage | June 15, 2000 (AAR) June 13, 2002 (extended) | Follows the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior | [41] |
| AAR | Northwest Passage Scenic Byway | 202 | 325 | Idaho | Washington–Idaho state line on US 12 near Lewiston | Idaho–Montana state line on US 12 at Lolo Pass | June 13, 2002 September 22, 2005 (extended and became an AAR) | Follows the route of Lewis and Clark's historic search for the Northwest Passage through scenic mountains and river valleys | [42] |
| NSB | Ohio & Erie Canalway Scenic Byway | 110 | 180 | Ohio | June 15, 2000 | Historic drive along the Ohio and Erie Canal | |||
| NSB | Ohio River Scenic Route | 0 | 0 | Illinois, Indiana, Ohio | September 19, 1996 (Indiana) June 9, 1998 (Illinois, Ohio) | Follows the north bank of the Ohio River | |||
| NSB | Old Canada Road Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Maine | June 15, 2000 | Historic route between Maine and Quebec | |||
| NSB | Outback Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive through rugged country of southern Oregon | |||
| NSB | Outer Banks Scenic Byway | 131 | 211 | North Carolina | October 16, 2009 | ||||
| AAR | Pacific Coast Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 9, 1998 (NSB) June 13, 2002 (AAR) | Scenic drive along Oregon's Pacific coast | |||
| NSB | Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Minnesota | September 22, 2005 | Passes through the forests of central Minnesota | |||
| NSB | Payette River Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Idaho | June 13, 2002 | Traverses foothills and valleys | |||
| NSB | Pend Oreille Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Idaho | June 13, 2002 | Scenic drive along Lake Pend Oreille | |||
| NSB | Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | South Dakota | September 19, 1996 | Scenic drive through mountains of southwestern South Dakota | |||
| NSB | Pioneer Historic Byway | 127.0 | 204.4 | Idaho | September 22, 2005 | Scenic route exploring the rich pioneer history of southeastern Idaho, including Mormon settlements and Oregon Trail ruts | |||
| NSB | Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway | 4.5 | 7.2 | Nevada | September 19, 1996 | One of the largest desert lakes in the world | |||
| NSB | Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Maine | June 15, 2000 | Scenic drive past mountains and lakes | |||
| NSB | Red River Gorge Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Kentucky | June 13, 2002 | Scenic drive through the Red River Gorge | |||
| AAR | Red Rock Scenic Byway | 14.5 | 23.3 | Arizona | I-17 north of Rimrock | SR 89A in Sedona | September 22, 2005 (AAR) | Scenic drive through the red sandstone canyons of the Coconino National Forest | [43] |
| NSB | Religious Freedom Byway | 189 | 304 | Maryland | October 16, 2009 | Provides access to historic churches and the first capital of Maryland, St. Mary's City | |||
| NSB | River Road Scenic Byway | 23.5 | 37.8 | Michigan | M-65 and Rollways Road near Hale | US 23 in Oscoda | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through the Au Sable River Valley | [44] |
| NSB | Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 13, 2002 | Follows two scenic rivers through southwestern Oregon | |||
| AAR | Route One, Big Sur Coast Highway | 0 | 0 | California | September 19, 1996 (AAR) | Scenic drive along the Pacific coast | |||
| AAR | Route One, San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway | 0 | 0 | California | June 13, 2002 (AAR) | Scenic drive along the Pacific coast | |||
| NSB | Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway | 40.6 | 65.3 | Georgia | June 15, 2000 | Winds through the southern Appalachians | |||
| AAR | San Juan Skyway | 233.0 | 375.0 | Colorado | September 19, 1996 (AAR) | Loop through the San Juan Mountains, Colorado's most rugged and isolated mountain range | |||
| NSB | Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway | 0 | 0 | Colorado, New Mexico | June 9, 1998 | Follows part of the route of the historic Santa Fe Trail through scenic mountains and high plains | |||
| NSB | Savannah River Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | South Carolina | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive along the Savannah River | |||
| NSB | Schoodic Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Maine | June 15, 2000 | Unspoiled coastline through the "quiet side" of Acadia National Park | |||
| AAR | Selma to Montgomery March Byway | 54 | 87 | Alabama | September 19, 1996 (AAR) | Route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March led by Martin Luther King, Jr. | |||
| AAR | Seward Highway | 0 | 0 | Alaska | June 9, 1998 (NSB) June 15, 2000 (AAR) | Scenic drive through mountains and fjords | |||
| NSB | Sky Island Scenic Byway | 27 | 43 | Arizona | September 22, 2005 | Climb from the desert to forests with great biological diversity | |||
| NSB | Skyline Drive | 0 | 0 | Virginia | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through Shenandoah National Park | |||
| NSB | Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway | 75.6 | 121.7 | North Dakota | ND 32 in Lisbon | Barnes County Highway 21 north of Valley City | June 13, 2002 | Historic drive through quaint farmland along the Sheyenne River | [45] |
| NSB | Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike | 174 | 280 | West Virginia | WV 47 and WV 618 in Parkersburg | West Virginia–Virginia state line on US 250 | September 22, 2005 | Historic drive through West Virginia forests and backcountry | [46] |
| NSB | Stevens Pass Greenway | 0 | 0 | Washington | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive across the Cascades | |||
| NSB | Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway - SR 112 | 61.3 | 98.7 | Washington | Makah Indian Reservation boundary near Neah Bay | US 101 near Port Angeles | June 15, 2000 | Follows the shoreline of the Olympic Peninsula where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca | [47] |
| NSB | Talimena Scenic Drive | 0 | 0 | Arkansas, Oklahoma | September 22, 2005 | Crest drive along some of the highest ridges between the Appalachians and Rockies | |||
| NSB | Talladega Scenic Drive | 26.8 | 43.1 | Alabama | Adams Gap Rd. southwest of Cheaha State Park | US 78 west of Heflin | June 9, 1998 | Scenic drive through the southernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains | [48] |
| NSB | Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway | 0 | 0 | Florida | June 15, 2000 | Traverses the Florida Everglades | |||
| NSB | Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road | 0 | 0 | California | September 19, 1996 | High mountain pass through Yosemite National Park | |||
| NSB | Top of the Rockies | 90.4 and 81.5 | 145.5 and 131.2 | Colorado | SH 82 in Aspen | I-70 west of Vail (western spur) and I-70 near Copper Mountain (eastern spur) | June 9, 1998 | Scenic high-altitude drive through the Rocky Mountains and historic Leadville | [49] |
| NSB | Trail of the Ancients | 0 | 0 | Colorado, New Mexico | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through the Native American history of the Four Corners region | |||
| NSB | Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | New Mexico | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through the mountains of southwestern New Mexico | |||
| AAR | Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road | 0 | 0 | Colorado | September 19, 1996 (AAR) | America's highest continuously paved road | |||
| NSB | Turquoise Trail | 0 | 0 | New Mexico | June 15, 2000 | Back road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe | |||
| NSB | Utah's Patchwork Parkway | 0 | 0 | Utah | October 16, 2009 | Scenic drive through Cedar Breaks National Monument | |||
| AAR | Utah's Scenic Byway 12 - A Journey Through Time | 122.9 | 197.8 | Utah | US 89 near Panguitch | SR 24 near Torrey | June 13, 2002 (AAR) | Scenic drive through canyons, plateaus, and valleys | [50] |
| AAR | Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | California, Oregon | June 9, 1998 (AAR, Oregon) June 13, 2002 (AAR, California) | Scenic drive through the Cascade Volcanic Arc | |||
| NSB | Washington Heritage Trail | 136.0 | 218.9 | West Virginia | WV 9 in Paw Paw | WV 51 in Harpers Ferry | June 15, 2000 | Scenic and historic drive tracing the footsteps of George Washington and his family through West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle | [51] |
| NSB | West Cascades Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Oregon | June 15, 2000 | Follows the west side of the Cascades | |||
| NSB | Western Heritage Historic Byway | 0 | 0 | Idaho | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive to the Snake River Canyon | |||
| NSB | Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway | 0 | 0 | Kansas | September 22, 2005 | Scenic drive through wetlands of central Kansas | |||
| NSB | White Mountain Trail | 0 | 0 | New Hampshire | June 9, 1998 | Passes through the White Mountains and past Mount Washington | |||
| NSB | Wilderness Road Heritage Highway | 0 | 0 | Kentucky | June 13, 2002 | Follows Daniel Boone's historic entrance to the valleys of Kentucky | |||
| NSB | Wichita Mountains Byway | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 2007 | Guides drivers through the protected valleys of the 550 million-year-old Wichita Mountains | |||
| AAR | Woodward Avenue (M-1) – Automotive Heritage Trail | 25.5 | 41.0 | Michigan | Jefferson Avenue in Detroit | Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard in Pontiac | June 13, 2002 | Connects automobile-related historic sites of the "Motor City" | [52] |
| |||||||||
Gallery
Flagler Beach along State Route A1A, Florida
The Beartooth Highway from Beartooth Pass, Montana
Chateau Country of the Brandywine Valley near Winterthur, Delaware
The Colorado River Headwaters Byway as it passes through Byers Canyon on US 40, Grand County, Colorado
Canyon walls of the Colorado River basin from State Route 128 near Moab, Utah
A church on Edisto Island, South Carolina
A busy segment of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington, Virginia
View of the Columbia River Gorge from Crown Point along the Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon
The Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada
One of the many historic overpasses along the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut
View of Lake Superior from the North Shore Scenic Drive in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota
The one-lane Nada Tunnel on the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, Kentucky
Wooded mountain road along the Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma
Lassen Peak as seen from the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in northern California
See also
- Scenic byways in the United States
State wildlife trails
References
^ Federal Highway Administration. "About the National Scenic Byways Program". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 9, 2012..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Federal Highway Administration. "List of America's Byways". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
^ National Scenic Byways Program. "History of the Program". Program Information. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
^ abcde Slater, Rodney E. (May 18, 1995). "National Scenic Byways Program Interim Policy". Federal Register. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. 60 (96): 26759–62. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
^ "A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Acadia All-American Road". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Alabama's Coastal Connection". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Alaska Marine Highway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Amish Country Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway - Route 110". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Ashley River Road". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Baltimore's Historic Charles Street". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Beartooth Highway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Big Bend Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Billy the Kid Trail". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Blue Ridge Parkway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Cherohala Skyway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Cherokee Hills Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Colorado River Headwaters Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Connecticut State Route 169". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Copper Country Trail". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "East Tennessee Crossing". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Edge of the Wilderness". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Florida Keys Scenic Highway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Great Lakes Seaway Trail". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Great River Road". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Historic Columbia River Highway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway: A Guide to Indian River, Brevard, and Volusia Counties (PDF). Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc. November 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
^ "Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Kaibab Plateau–North Rim Parkway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Lakes to Locks Passage". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Las Vegas Strip". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Merritt Parkway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Mt. Hood Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "North Shore Scenic Drive". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Northwest Passage Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Red Rock Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "River Road Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway - SR 112". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Talladega Scenic Drive". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Top of the Rockies". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Scenic Byway 12". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Washington Heritage Trail". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
^ "Woodward Avenue (M-1) - Automotive Heritage Trail". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration.
Further reading
.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{list-style-type:none;margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>dl>dd{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-100{font-size:100%}
Irving, Lori (June 15, 2000). "U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Downey Announces New All-American Roads, National Scenic Byways in 20 States" (Press release). Federal Highway Administration.
—— (June 13, 2002). "U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Names 36 New National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads" (Press release). Federal Highway Administration.
Federal Highway Administration (September 22, 2005). "Share the Celebration!—45 New Designations Announced" (Press release). Federal Highway Administration.
"State Tops in Scenic Roads". Denver Post. September 20, 1996. p. B1.
Whitney, Karen (June 9, 1998). "Transportation Secretary Slater Announces All-American Roads, Scenic Byways in 19 States" (Press release). Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on July 11, 2009.
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Scenic Byways. |
America's Byways, official National Scenic Byways website from the Federal Highway Administration
