Citizens for a Scenic Wisconsin, Inc 

Dedicated to preserving and enhancing the scenic character of Wisconsin's communities and countryside.

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Scenic Byways

Citizens for a Scenic Wisconsin strongly supports the National Scenic Byways Program along with the WisDOT Scenic Byways Program. Many people are surprised to learn that Wisconsin has only one nationally designated Scenic Byway, the Great River Road, from the Iowa border north through Cassville, Prairie du Chien, La Crosse to Prescott. This is an original Scenic Byway designated 70 years ago before we had an Interstate system.

Many of the other scenic routes such as the Great Lakes Circle Tour and the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive are not nationally designated as one of America's Byways® and thus do not have the protections, marketing programs or access to FHWA grants for infrastructure improvements.

Currently there is a State Highway 60 Scenic Byway project from Lodi to Bridgeport that is in the process of being approved and a new proposal just getting started for State Highways 33 & 136 from Portage to La Crosse. Both of these routes would connect to the Great River Road, thus enhancing their marketability.

The purposes of the Scenic Byway designation are:

  • Encourage tourism and supports economic development in communities all along a designated byway.

  • Promote partnerships between local governments, businesses, civic groups and community leaders.

  • This combined effort encourage development of a shared community vision, strengthens civic pride, and makes communities an even more attractive place to live and work.

The benefits of the Scenic Byway designation are:

  • Unique signs, markers, brochures and ongoing promotional efforts enhance community recognition and can transform a local roadway into one of the most scenic and interesting routes in the state.

  • State scenic byways can potentially be designated a National Scenic Byway or All-American Road.

  • Such roadways are marketed to national and international travelers, bringing additional recognition and economic benefits to area communities.

  • Both state or nationally designated byways are eligible to compete for federal grant funds.

  • Byway designation serves to promote and preserve an area’s scenic, historical and recreational treasures for the enjoyment of future generations.

Although the Scenic Byways Program is administered through WisDOT, local groups prepare and submit byway applications on a voluntary basis. This grassroots approach ensures a strong local commitment to the promotion and long-term preservation of a scenic byway.

Citizens for a Scenic Wisconsin believes there are many potential Scenic Byways in our beautiful State. We are ready to assist any communities that want to put together a proposal. We also believe there are a number of potential county highways and local roads that could easily qualify for designation as Rustic Roads. The combination of Scenic Byway and Rustic Roads designations provide many benefits to the local tourism economy and quality of life.

Revised January 29, 2009