Spectacular views of mount rainier, dense forests, towering peaks, rocky ridges, and river canyons dominate this journey. The state of washington has seven national scenic byways. Best road trips in washington state scenic drives off. San juan islands scenic byway san juan islands visitors bureau. Each twopage document includes information about that state s scenic byways program, in addition to a listing and map of all state and national scenic byways within its borders. Scenic byways are described in the national scenic byways program as having six major. Follows sr 109 along lewis and clark trail scenic byway. Each scenic highway is represented by a single line regardless of whether or not the. Cape flattery cape flattery occupies americas northernmost point, and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful spots on the makah indian reservation. Were the scenic part of scenic byways44scenic washingtonsign up for weekly travel inspirations at. Washington state s newest scenic byway, and are a yearround destination for visitors from around the world. The best scenic drives in washington state frommers. In new york state, there are several types of corridors that fall under the scenic byways program.
Located on i5, about halfway between portland and seattle, our region offers you the perfect vacation base camp. This map is a linear representation of washington state routes that are designated as part of the scenic and recreational highway system by rcw47. Byways, state scenic byways, or indian tribe scenic byways are. Scenic byways wsdot washington state department of. For more planning and trip ideas check out our new washington state scenic byways and road trips guide. Wsdots role in regards to scenic byways has shifted now that. Experience wa washington state vacation scenic byways. Play on crystal clear rivers and lakes, or traverse mountain trails to view snowcapped peaks and wildlife diversity. Route 101 us 101 at discovery bay on the olympic peninsula to us 2 near the idaho state border in newport.
Washington is an outdoor recreation paradise packed with places to visit for any interest from beach combing to wine tasting or extreme adventure. Many argue that the north cascades highway is the most scenic in washington state. Route 101 us 101 in ilwaco south to cape disappointment and north to. Washington state was one of the first states in the country to establish a system of scenic highways. The diversity, attractions and sheer beauty youll see along. Washington states newest scenic byway, and are a yearround destination for visitors from around the world. After byway groups apply to the program, the state scenic byway coordinator, along with a team of experts, evaluates the route to determine if it meets. Scenic highways pass through the varied terrain of washington reflecting the depth of its scenic, cultural and historic landscapes.
Winding roads over chinook pass and around mount rainier. State route 20 sr 20, also known as the north cascades highway, is a state highway that traverses the u. Give us a call at 18772602731 and well send you one of ours. With twentynine officially designated national and state scenic byways including a marine highway aboard a washington state ferryyoull never want for road trip inspirations. Byways in this program must be designated and maintained in accordance. National forest scenic byways program partnership success stories prepared in partnership with.
Wsdot scenic byways map washington state department of. Washington state tourism division 8005441800 3607254181 yakima valley visitor and convention center 8002210751. San juan ferry the spectacular san juan islands scenic byway is washingtons newest byway, and is unique as the only state byway including a marine highway. Wsdot scenic byways map washington state department. The program was established by congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nations scenic but often lesstraveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. Whether you are looking for a day trip, weekend getaway or planning a road trip, our guides provide you with the perfect scenic drive. National forest scenic byways connect the american public to some of this countrys most spectacular landscapes within. Wenatchee to lake wenatchee state park and mission ridge ski resort free employee shuttle serving monroe, leaven. As the north cascades scenic byway loops between massive peaks and along lakes colored turquoise by glacial silt, youll see why these mountains are called the american alps.
View the washington state scenic byways travel planner pdf 20 mb washington state was one of the first states in the country to establish a system of scenic highways. Washington is an incredibly gorgeous place, but its easy to get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget to appreciate it fully. Case study for the national scenic byways study, washington, dc. Washington pass 5,477 north gardner mtn liberty bel mtn 8,956 7,720 abernathy pk 8,321 saanich natl hist. Scenic america has assembled the only comprehensive, nationwide scenic byways database, and we are pleased to share it with the public. Washington state bill house of representatives analysis. State route 27 sr 27 is a 90milelong 145 km state highway serving whitman and spokane counties, located in the eastern region of the u. Check out chuckanut drive and other beautiful washington state byways here. An insiders guide to washington state scenic drives and road trips. Americas byways include the national scenic byways and allamerican roads. United states department of national forest scenic byways.
Federal highway administration federal lands highway washington dc office october 2008 united states department of agriculture forest service national forest scenic byway fs916. Sr 14 forms a section of the lewis and clark trail scenic byway and begins at an interchange with i5 in vancouver. At 5,575 feet, its the highest maintained pass in the state, boasting stunning panoramic views of pristine wilderness. Additional legislated new york state scenic byways nys highway law, article 12c, section 349dd new york state scenic roads designated scenic roads per article 49 of environmental conservation law new york state parkways state parkways as listed in the regulations of the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation. Route 2 stevens pass national scenic byway cascade. Park riverside omak mtn 5,747, omak oak bay victoria approx. The national scenic byways program is a voluntary, communitybased program administered through the federal highway administration fhwa to recognize, protect, and promote americas most outstanding roads. The purpose of the wyoming scenic byways and backways program are to. Route 195 us 195 through pullman, palouse, tekoa, and spokane valley to sr 290 north of an interchange with interstate 90 i90. Travel the glacierfed white river from enumclaw, over chinook pass, to the fertile valley of naches. The best scenic drives in washington state chuckanut. Its the perfect, relaxing way to see all of the beauty that surrounds us with the windows rolled down, and the radio turned up.
Sherman pass sherman pass is one of the lesserknown byways, but also one of the most rewarding. Weve got some absolutely incredible scenic byways here in washington, and while every last one is full of natural beauty, these seven should be experienced. The national forest scenic byways are roads that have been designated by the u. The passage of the scenic and recreational highway act of 1967, signed into law on april 27, 1967, established washington s state scenic and. Pdf on jan 1, 1999, tim tyrrell and others published valuing changes to scenic byways. State scenic byways are designated by washington s secretary of transportation with approval from the legislature. The washington state scenic and recreational highways program is a system of scenic routes in the u. List of washington state scenic and recreational highways. Museum 20 lou loup summit 4,020 malott 97 monse brewster johannesburgmtn. The wsdot granted the corridor interim scenic byway status, and the commission recommended that legislation be introduced to add the recommended roads and ferry route to the scenic byway system. Passing through the most rugged and spectacular mountains in the northwest, this highway did not open until 1972 due to the difficulty of building any road through washington s glaciercarved north cascades. The car pull off is on top of columnar basalt that goes down into the washington side of the columbia river, east of vancouver on highway 14, between vancouver and skamania lodge.
Scenic byways new york state department of transportation. The chinook pass scenic byway traverses the northeast corner of mount rainier national park, a true washington wonderland. Americas byways are gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same. Recognizing that the transportation equity act for the 21st century establishes a national scenic byway program that could benefit state and local roadways, the washington state scenic byway designation program is revised to address state and local transportation routes. Byways lists new york state department of transportation. Washington the national scenic byways program the national scenic byways program, established by congress in 1991, recognizes historic, scenic and culturally important roads, all of which promote economic development and tourism in communities around the country. They are representative of a regions scenic, recreational, cultural, natural, historic or archaeological significance. Here are 10 more roads in washington that youve got to take. International selkirk loop idaho, washington marvel at the awesome beauty of the international selkirk loop as it encircles the wild selkirk mountains for 280 miles including british columbia. The highway travels eastwest on the north side of the columbia river, opposite interstate 84 i84 to the south in oregon. Theres nothing like a summer road trip across washington. The 7 scenic byways every washingtonian should experience.
Helens and the olympic national forest and major metropolitan cities less then 90 minutes away, you are able to explore the area in all directions from one economical central location. Through their state departments of transportation, communities can apply for designation as a state or national scenic byway for funding. Western looking to explore the best of western washington. If the spark between you and the evergreen state has faded over the years, go on as many of these scenic drives as you can over the next year. The 7 scenic byways every washingtonian should experience at least once sometimes a road trip is about the destination but sometimes, as the saying goes, its all about the journey.
While you may have already enjoyed a trip through the palouse or along chuckanut drive from my last post about road trips in washington, our state still has many more scenic routes to drive through. Getting to san juan, orcas and lopez islands is half the fun they are only about 30 minutes by airplane or seaplane from seattle, or a oneandahalf hour drive northwest of seattle. Washington s scenic byways are recognized as the premier driving tours in the state. Road trips to eastern washington and the rolling hills of the palouse scenic byway. Its the journey, not the arrival that matters most. With twentynine officially designated national and state scenic byways including a marine highway aboard a washington state ferryyoull never want for. It is the state s longest highway, traveling 436 miles 702 km across the northern areas of washington, from u.
Heavy snows and avalanches keep the highway closed. Washington state contains 2 all american roads and 5 national scenic byways which are known collectively as americas byways. Stevens pass national scenic byway cascade loop scenic byways washington state mbs ranger district. In addition the washington state legislature has set aside 22 state scenic byways to preserve and enhance the unique scenic historic or. A national scenic byway is a road recognized by the united states department of transportation for one or more of six intrinsic qualities. List of washington state scenic and recreational highways name length mi length km southern or western terminus northern or eastern terminus. The format for the questions to determine travel preferences was a. Take these 10 scenic roads in washington for an unforgettable drive. State scenic byways are transportation corridors that are of particular statewide interest.
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