Cherohala Skyway

Posted on March 8, 2015 by siteadmin

Cherohala Skyway is in southeast Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. The 52-mile byway travels between Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Robbinsville, North Carolina. It follows TN 165 and NC 143, which are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. There are nine percent grades at some points along the byway. Cherohala Skyway is usually open year-round.

Cherohala Skyway travels across the mountains, valleys, and dense forests of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. Several scenic overlooks provide beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Santeetlah Overlook is the byway’s highest point at 5,390 feet. Wildlife observers will want to be on the lookout for deer, which are best seen in early morning or evening. Among other wildlife inhabiting the area are bears, wild boars, and the northern flying squirrel. From Tellico Plains, the byway is accompanied by Tellico River, which is a popular river for trout fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. A short side trip on FSR 221 (Tellico River Road) leads to the scenic Bald River Falls.

Numerous trails can be accessed from the byway. They vary in length from three to eight miles and are rated from easy to strenuous. Trails that lead to Slickrock Wilderness are also accessed along the byway. These trails are for experienced hikers as they tend to be primitive, rugged, and steep.

Several public campgrounds are accessed along the byway. Indian Boundary has 120 campsites that can accommodate tents or RVs up to 22 feet. The park also has a 90-acre lake, picnic area, swimming area, and bicycle trails. Bicycles are available for rent at the Ketoowah Interpretive Center. On the North Carolina side is Horse Cove Campground, which has 17 sites that can accommodate RVs up to 22 feet long. Other campgrounds can be reached by wandering off the byway.

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Boulder Mountain Highway

Posted on March 6, 2015 by siteadmin

Boulder Mountain Highway is 150 miles east of Cedar City in south-central Utah. It follows UT 12 for 30 miles between Grover and Boulder. Utah Highway 12 is a two-lane road suitable for all vehicles. Temporary closure is possible in winter, otherwise the byway remains open all year.

Boulder Mountain Highway climbs from the sagebrush and grassy pastures of Boulder through stands of ponderosa pine and lush meadows of wild-flowers along the edge of Boulder Mountain. Turnouts along the byway provide scenic vistas of the lower desert regions set against the backdrop of scattered mountain peaks. Isolated stands of aspen provide a splash of gold in autumn.

Near the byway’s southern end is the Anasazi Indian Village State Park. The park depicts the cultural aspects of the Anasazi Indian that once inhabited this region. Native American artifacts dating back to the 11th century can be seen as well as a full-scale replica of a dwelling believed to have existed here. A self-guided trail takes you to the site of on-going excavations. Other trails along the byway lead to scenic lakes for fishing or enjoying a picnic lunch. There are three national forest campgrounds located along the byway. Oak Creek Campground has eight sites situated on the creek. You’ll also find fishing and hiking opportunities here. Farther north of this campground is Pleasant Creek Campground with 18 sites. Singletree Campground is the largest of the three with 26 sites.

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Peter Norbeck

Posted on March 5, 2015 by siteadmin

Peter Norbeck is in southwest South Dakota about 20 miles southwest of Rapid City. The byway forms a 70-mile loop as it follows SD 87, SD 89, SD 244, and US 16A. All the highways are two-lane paved roads suitable for most vehicles. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers may want to inquire locally before attempting to travel US 16A and SD 87. These routes have many curves and narrow tunnels along with short radius pig-tailed bridges. South Dakota Highway 87 and sections of US 16A are closed by snow from December through March.

The Peter Norbeck scenic byway travels through forests of pine, spruce, and groves of aspen as it twists and turns through the beautiful Black Hills. Overlooks along the byway provide spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains and rugged rock outcrops.

Wildlife observers will be thrilled at the variety of wildlife found here. The American bison, lots of them, can be seen in the area of Custer State Park. Bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, wild burros, and prairie dogs can also be seen in the park. Other wildlife frequently seen along the byway includes white-tailed deer, mule deer, and wild turkeys. Rocky Mountain elk, coyotes, red fox, and bobcats also inhabit the area but are seen less frequently. Bird watchers will want to be on the lookout for golden eagles, hawks, woodpeckers, wrens, warblers, and swallows. Bald eagles can be seen from late fall to early spring.

Hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders will find miles of trails within the 9,824-acre Black Elk Wilderness. Some of the hiking trails lead to the summit of 7,242-foot Harney Peak for spectacular panoramic views of the Black Hills. There are numerous other trails accessed along the byway.

Those interested in extending their stay will find numerous public campgrounds. The 73,000-acre Custer State Park offers over 300 campsites in several campgrounds along the byway. The state park also offers resorts for those seeking a little more comfort.

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Arkansas Highway 7

Posted on March 1, 2015 by siteadmin

Arkansas Highway 7 travels across western Arkansas between Harrison and Hot Springs. The 160-mile scenic drive follows AR 7, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. Arkansas Highway 7 usually remains open year-round.

From Harrison, the Arkansas Highway 7 scenic byway travels south through the Ozark National Forest, winding its way through the Ozark Mountains. The byway then descends into the Arkansas River Valley before climbing into the Ouachita Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest.

The byway cuts through the Buffalo National River just south of Dogpatch. The Buffalo National River offers nearly 150 miles of free-flowing river for canoeing or rafting. There are outfitters that will provide you with all the necessary items to enjoy a float down this scenic river of white water, long stretches of calm water, and rock bluffs reaching high above the river.

The Ozark National Forest covers more than a million acres of hardwood forests and gently rolling mountains. There are numerous public campgrounds that offer campsites for tents or recreational vehicles. You’ll also find many areas for enjoying a picnic. Hiking trails are plentiful through the national forest. The 160-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail passes through the forest and its wilderness areas. In the Alum Cove picnic area is a short one-mile trail that leads to the Alum Cove Natural Bridge. This 130-foot natural bridge was carved out of the solid rock by a small stream.

The southern portion of the route passes through the Ouachita National Forest. Like the Ozark National Forest, there are numerous camping and picnicking areas throughout. Hundreds of miles of trails lie within the forest, including the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Two camping areas along Arkansas Highway 7 offer a wooded setting next to a meandering stream. Iron Springs has 13 campsites and South Fourche has 7 campsites. Both areas also have picnic facilities, drinking water, and sanitary facilities.

Lying between the national forests are two Corps of Engineers projects, Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake. On the byway’s southern end is Lake Ouachita, another Corps project. The Corps of Engineers has developed several public use areas that provide camping facilities for tents and recreational vehicles as well as numerous picnic areas. The lakes also offer opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. In addition to the public use areas, Arkansas has developed state parks around each lake.

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Whitefish Bay

Posted on February 27, 2015 by siteadmin

Whitefish Bay is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula about 15 miles west of Sault Sainte Marie. It begins in Bay Mills and heads west across Hiawatha National Forest to the junction with MI 123. The byway follows FSR 3150 and FSR 42, which are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Whitefish Bay is 27 miles long and remains open year-round.

The Whitefish Bay scenic byway travels through the hardwood forests of Hiawatha National Forest, often hugging the shores of Lake Superior. It passes miles of undisturbed beaches and sand dunes with several access roads to the beaches.

Panoramic views of Lake Superior and Canada at Spectacle Lake Overlook are impressive and should not be missed. You may also wish to visit Point Iroquois Lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors are welcome to climb to the top of the 65-foot lighthouse for a panoramic view of Lake Superior. A museum tells the stories of lightkeepers and their families through family album photographs, antiques, and artifacts.

There are two national forest campgrounds located along the byway, Monocle Lake and Bay View. Monocle Lake Campground has 39 campsites set among northern hardwood, aspen, red maple, and white birch. Fire rings and picnic tables are provided at each site. A boat ramp provides access to the lake. Bay View Campground is situated on the shores of Lake Superior and has 24 campsites. Fire rings and picnic tables are also provided at each site. Other public campgrounds are scattered throughout the national forest.

Brimley State Park is to the east of the byway and is more developed than the national forest campgrounds. The park has 270 sites for tents and recreational vehicles, many with electrical hookups. It also has laundry facilities, restrooms with showers, and a swimming beach.

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