“The mission of our state scenic byway program is to identify, promote, and protect the state’s most exceptional roadways for the traveling public and for the betterment of Nevada communities.”
National and state scenic byways have been the delight of the traveling public for decades. It’s no accident that billboards are prohibited on scenic byways.
However, these roads provide more than scenic views. Establishing a scenic byway protects the historical and environmental resources surrounding the area and provides local communities with economic development through tourism.
The mission of our state scenic byway program is to “identify, promote and protect the state’s most exceptional roadways for the traveling public and for the betterment of Nevada communities.”
Nevada boasts 34 scenic byways, including four national byways and 30 state scenic byways. The system comprises approximately 360 miles of roads. Fifteen of the state’s scenic byways overlap with state-maintained highways. One of our national scenic byways, the Las Vegas Strip, holds an even more prestigious designation as an All-American Road.
A full map and more details about Nevada scenic byways is available here.
Nevada’s scenic byway program was established by the Nevada Legislature in 1983, making it one of the first states to set up a designation system of this kind. The Nevada Department of Transportation is the primary agency responsible for the program, and its director has the authority to add new byways into the system. However, at this time there is no mechanism in place for Nevada citizens to nominate new ones.
We strive to cultivate strong citizen interest in Nevada’s scenic byways by advocating for the protection of and promoting new byways as well as encouraging participation in the state’s Adopt-a Highway litter control program.
At the federal level, accounting for separately designated sections of multistate byways, there are now 227 national scenic byways, including 56 All-American Roads. The passage of the Reviving America’s Byways Act in 2019 paved the way for new designations and for funding to be included in future budgets. Prior to the announcement of 49 new national scenic byways and All-American Roads in February 2021, the last round of designations occurred in 2009. The Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2021 and 2022 included a combined $22 million to fund the program, its first dedicated support since 2012. Scenic America continues to advocate for the program’s long-term funding and for a consistent process for new designations.
At the state level, Scenic Nevada is following NDOT’s progress on reinstating Nevada’s program.
For more information about the future of the state’s scenic byway program go to the Nevada Department of Transportation website.