Scenic Byways and Roads

Michigan has approximately 1,500 miles of roads that have received national, state, or county scenic designations. Among numerous other benefits, these special roads provide stunning views of the Great Lakes, access to many of our state’s most beautiful  parks, and even the ability to travel through time when we visit points of historical significance.  As such, we believe these corridors deserve considerable attention,  thoughtful planning,  and viewshed protection where warranted.

In 2017, we set out to conduct what we believe to be the first inventory of all roadways that have received scenic designation in the state.  We hope the map below (click on the full screen for more navigation options)  may help you as you think about exploring  a new corner of our incredible state. And, if you live near one of these corridors, we welcome your help in preserving and protecting the special attributes and enhancing the less than scenic components. We would love to get you involved as one of our scenic ambassadors. You can learn more about these designations in our full report:  2017 Scenic Road Inventory

• For more info on Pure Michigan byways, explore MDOT’s driving guide
• For more info on federally designated Scenic Byways, explore FHWA’s website on America’s Byways
• For more information on how to get a road in your County designated as a Natural Beauty Road, contact your local County Road
• For a list of planing documents/resources we’re compiling about communities along these byways, you can visit the google folder we’ve set up for this project. Please share any resources you have with us.