Louisiana
Louisiana by Scott Cagg for Pixabay
Louisiana Scenic Byways
The Louisiana Trails and Byways Network focuses on the relationship between landscapes, cultures, and industries. Louisiana is considered one of the top cultural destinations in the country, as evidenced by the state’s iconic culinary and musical traditions rooted in historic contributions from American Indians, Europeans, and Africans. Louisiana roads play an integral role in the state’s economy, emphasizing the state’s appeal to residents and visitors. Louisiana is home to four national scenic byways, including the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and the Louisiana Great River Road, which is also an All-American Road.
Key Points
- Louisiana boasts 4 national scenic byways and 15 state scenic byways.
- In a report for the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, researchers found that there was a $1.56 return for every $1 spent on scenic byways.
- The tourism industry brought in $22.9 billion in business sales in 2019.
- A 2019 economic report shows that the tourism industry supported 7% of all jobs in Louisiana and $6.1 billion in wages.
Louisiana Byways
Map Key:
- All-American Roads
- National Scenic Byways
- State Scenic Byways
All-American Roads
National Scenic Byways
State Scenic Byways
Byways Provide Access to Public Lands
Louisana byways provide access to the state’s most spectacular public lands, including four national historic parks, 22 state parks, 14 historic sites, one historical trail, and one national monument.
About 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 U.S. There are more than 1,200 byways in all 50 states.
All scenic byways exhibit one or more of six core intrinsic qualities — scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, or natural. For a road to be named a national scenic byway, it must first be designated a state, tribal, or federal agency scenic byway. Once achieving that, a road may apply for national scenic byway designation, but its intrinsic quality must be of regional significance. All-American Roads are the very best of the national scenic byways, demonstrating at least two intrinsic qualities of national significance.