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America's Byways

Scenic Byways

Scenic byways can be designated at the local, state or national level. Some are called 'heritage routes.' Others may be called 'rustic roads' or 'backcountry byways,' although some of these designations differ slightly. The U.S. Forest Service began its National Forest Service Scenic Byway designation program in 1988. In 1991, the US Department of Transportation established its National Scenic Byways program.

What Are America's Byways?

Under the National Scenic Byways Program, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities. There are 95 such designated byways in 39 States. The Federal Highway Administration promotes the collection as America's Byways.

America's Byways are a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places. They are roads to the heart and soul of America. Byways are exclusive because of their outstanding qualities, not because byways are confined to a select group of people.

Managing the intrinsic qualities that shape the byway's story and interpreting the story are equally important in improving the quality of the visitors' experience. The National Scenic Byways Program is founded upon the strength of the leaders for individual byways. It is a voluntary, grassroots program. It recognizes and supports outstanding roads. It provides resources to help manage the intrinsic qualities within the broader byway corridor to be treasured and shared. Perhaps one of the underlying principles for the program has been articulated best by the byway leader who said, 'the program is about recognition, not regulation.'

What's the Difference between a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road?

National Scenic Byway

To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road must possess at least one of the six intrinsic qualities. The significance of the features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor's intrinsic qualities must be recognized throughout the multi-state region.

All-American Road

To receive an All-American Road designation, a road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road or highway must also be considered a 'destination unto itself.' That is, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along the highway a primary reason for their trip.

Who Nominates?

Anyone may nominate a road for possible designation by the Secretary, but the nomination must be submitted through a state's official scenic byway agency and include a corridor management plan designed to preserve and enhance the unique qualities of the byway.

The byways themselves typically are supported through a network of individuals who volunteer their time and effort. It is a bottom-up, grassroots oriented program. Local citizens and communities create the vision for their byway, identify the resources comprising the intrinsic qualities, and form the theme or story that stirs the interest and imagination of visitors about the byway and its resources. Local citizens and communities decide how best to balance goals, strategies, and actions for promoting the byway and preserving its intrinsic qualities. The vision, goals, strategies, and actions for the byway are laid out in the corridor management plan required for the byway.

Nomination is not about filling out an application. It's all about telling the byway's story. That's the premise that is driving the FHWA's work on requesting nominations for possible national designation. Nominees might want to think of their byway's nomination as a combination of the community's guide and a visitor's guide for the byway.

What are Intrinsic Qualities?

Intrinsic Quality means scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, or natural features that are considered representative, unique, irreplaceable, or distinctly characteristic of an area.



Archaeological quality involves those characteristics of the scenic byway corridor that are physical evidence of historic or prehistoric life that are visible and capable of being inventoried and interpreted.



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, and vernacular architecture that are currently practiced.



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 of the past.



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, landforms, water bodies, vegetation and wildlife.



Recreational quality involves outdoor recreational activities directly associated with, and dependent upon, the natural and cultural elements of the corridor's landscape.



Scenic quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and manmade elements of the visual environment.

What information is available?

NSBO's underlying database is capable of providing a wealth of information on scenic byways, events, persons, and points of interest. You can browse it for interesting details such as tips for travelling the byways, maps, photographs, points of interest, facilities along the way, road conditions, typical weather constraints, and anticipated costs or fees. Some byways even contain interesting stories, sound clips, and videos.

Where does the information come from?

NSBO's information contributors include federal, regional, and state organizations, as well as private groups and individuals. These parties have been recognized as experts in scenic byways, and are an authoritative source for the information displayed in the scenic byways pages. NSBO will continue to grow as it obtains information from these sources.

 

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