Native American Scenic Byway

Posted on December 19, 2015 by siteadmin

Native American Scenic Byway travels between Pierre and Chamberlain in central South Dakota. The 100-mile byway follows SD 50, BIA 4, SD 47, BIA 5, BIA 10, and SD 1806. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Native American Scenic Byway is usually open all year.

Native American Scenic Byway crosses the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservations. It travels across South Dakota’s high plains and the hills and bluffs alongside the Missouri River. Dams constructed by the Corps of Engineers created two scenic lakes on the river: Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe. Among the wildlife inhabiting the area are deer, eagles, and large numbers of waterfowl. Anglers will find catfish, walleye, pike, bass, crappie, and sunfish in both lakes.

Between Fort Thompson and Chamberlain, the byway follows the upper reaches of Lake Francis Case. The large 102,000-acre lake extends from Fort Thompson to Pickstown. A Corps of Engineers campground is near Chamberlain. American Creek Campground has 60 RV and tent campsites with electric hookups. From Fort Thompson to Pierre, the byway travels alongside Lake Sharpe. The 61,000-acre lake offers numerous campgrounds and picnic areas. Three campgrounds can be accessed from the byway: Tailrace, Iron Nation, and Cedar Creek. Tailrace has 72 campsites with hookups; Iron Nation also has 72 sites with hookups and 12 without.

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Kaibab Plateau – North Rim Parkway

Posted on December 16, 2015 by siteadmin

The Kaibab Plateau – North Rim Parkway is in north-central Arizona about 35 miles south of the Utah/Arizona border. The northern access is in Jacob Lake off US Alternate 89, about 30 miles southeast of Fredonia. The byway travels south to North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park.

The 44-mile route follows AZ 67, a paved, two-lane road suitable for all vehicles. The road ends in North Rim; you’ll need to retrace the route back to Jacob Lake. Due to heavy winter snow, the byway is usually closed from mid to late November through mid-May.

This scenic byway crosses the high-elevation plateau known as the Kaibab Plateau through dense forests of pine, fir, and aspen. Piute Indians call this high plateau “the mountain lying down” or “Kaibab.” The byway crosses the Kaibab National Forest and ends at the northern rim of the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park.

Recreation opportunities abound in the Kaibab National Forest. Those interested in hiking, backpacking, or horseback riding will have access to two wilderness areas. Saddle Mountain Wilderness lies to the west; Kanab Creek Wilderness to the southeast. Although the byway is closed during winter, the national forest remains open to winter sport enthusiasts. Snowpacked national forest roads provide excellent opportunities for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

There are three developed campgrounds along or near the byway: Jacob Lake, Indian Hollow, and Demotte. Jacob Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 7,900 feet and has 53 sites with tables, cooking grills, and water. Demotte Campground has 20 campsites; Indian Hollow has three. Camping is not restricted, however, to the developed camp-grounds. If you prefer solitude and privacy, you may camp nearly anywhere within the forest boundary. Some of the more popular and accessible primitive camping areas are shown on the map.

The diversity of wildlife inhabiting the region provides entertainment for the photographer, bird-watcher, and nature lover. Mule deer and wild turkey are among the many species of wildlife found in this part of Arizona.

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Ocoee

Posted on December 16, 2015 by siteadmin

The Ocoee scenic drive is in southeast Tennessee about ten miles east of Cleveland. It begins in Ocoee and travels east for 29 miles to Ducktown. The byway follows US 64 and FSR 77, which are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Ocoee is usually open year-round.

Ocoee winds across Cherokee National Forest through the beautiful Ocoee River Gorge. It is accompanied by the rushing waters of Ocoee River, popular with white-water rafters. Several scenic overlooks provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding forested mountains and Lake Ocoee.

The byway skirts the shores of Lake Ocoee, formed by the construction of Ocoee Dam on the Ocoee River. This 1,950-acre lake is nestled among the forested mountains with Sugarloaf Peak standing proudly nearby. Several turnouts are along this portion of the byway providing scenic views of the lake. Parksville Beach and Mac Point Swimming Area provide visitors a chance to relax and go for a dip. A visitor center located nearby has maps and brochures.

There are numerous trails accessed along the byway; horse trails, bicycling trails, nature trails, and longer hiking trails. Two wilderness areas are near the byway’s eastern end. Both Little Frog and Big Frog Wilderness Areas provide opportunities for hiking to secluded spots.

The side trip up FSR 77 is a steady climb up Chilhowee Mountain. From here, panoramic views extend beyond Lake Ocoee, across the Tennessee Valley to the distant Cumberland Mountains. The large recreation area here offers a 68-site campground, a seven-acre lake with swimming beach, and picnic areas. Those wishing to camp will find two other campgrounds in addition to the Chilhowee Recreation Area. Parksville Lake has 32 sites that can accommodate tents or RVs. Thunder Rock is a smaller campground with only six sites with picnic tables and grills. Drinking water and comfort stations are available in both camping areas.

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Coronado Trail

Posted on December 14, 2015 by siteadmin

Coronado Trail is in east-central Arizona, northeast of Safford. The southern access is in Morenci. The byway parallels the Arizona-New Mexico border as it travels north to Springerville.

The 123-mile route follows US 180 and US 191, which are two-lane paved roads. Sharp curves and steep drop-offs exist along several sections of narrow road with no guardrails. The byway is not recommended for vehicles towing a trailer or RVs over 20 feet long. Temporary closure is possible during winter, otherwise the route is open year-round.

Coronado Trail travels through steep canyons and across high rolling mountains with beautiful views of lakes and meadows. The byway crosses the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, which have the largest stand of ponderosa pine in the nation. Two wilderness areas are adjacent to the byway: 5,200-acre Escudilla Wilderness and 11,080-acre Bear Wallow Wilderness. Numerous trails along the byway provide access to these pristine wilderness areas.

Several Forest Sevice campgrounds are located along the byway. Luna Lake Campground, located east of Alpine off US 180, has 50 RV and tent campsites. Other campgrounds along the byway are smaller, offering a more secluded setting. A three-mile hiking trail at K.P. Cienege Campground leads to a scenic waterfall on K.P. Creek.

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Salmon River

Posted on December 13, 2015 by siteadmin

Salmon River scenic byway travels from Stanley to Lost Trail Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. The byway is in central Idaho, approximately 130 miles northwest of Boise. It follows ID 75 and US 93 for 161 miles. Both highways are two-lane paved roads safe for travel by all types of vehicles. There are no passing lanes and some tight curves that require slow speeds. Salmon River scenic byway is generally open year-round but extra caution is needed in winter.

The Salmon River scenic drive passes through the Challis and Salmon National Forests and a portion of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Flowing alongside the byway for almost its entire length is the cool blue water of the Salmon River. As the byway travels through forested canyons and valleys, spectacular vistas of the Bitterroot, Salmon River, Lemhi, and Lost River Mountains come into view.

The Challis and Salmon National Forests provide access to the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. There are more acres of roadless wilderness in this region than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. This vast wilderness area offers excellent fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding.

Those less interested in the primitive back country experience of the wilderness will find plenty of opportunities for pitching a tent or parking their RV in a developed campground. Numerous public campgrounds are located directly along or a short distance off the byway.

If you’re driving this byway in a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle, you might consider taking a side trip known as the Custer Motorway Adventure Road. This side trip explores the historic Yankee Fork Mining District and will take you past ghost towns and abandoned mining sites of the late 1800s.

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