About the
Western Skies
Scenic Byway
Image: Rolling landscape along Western Skies Scenic Byway. Photo by Ken West
Mission & Vision
The vision of the Western Skies Scenic Byway is to secure sustainable growth and development of the designated route and corridor while holding firm to the history and culture that continues to be visible today. Through strategic partnerships with local, state, national, and regional organizations, the byway aims to create a unique and experiential attraction attentive to minimize environmental impact. Attention is directed towards development of the arts, small businesses, traveler amenities and cultural and natural resources along the byway with a broad marketing approach. Through a collaborative effort and regional approach, the Western Skies Scenic Byway aims to positively impact economic development in the byway region while respecting the resources located along the route.
The mission of Western Skies Scenic Byway is to offer a memorable and cultural travel experience that stitches together tranquile small towns, farmstead, and scenic countryside, all preserved through a pioneering spirit and stewardship of the land.
Byway History
Western Skies Scenic Byway began in 1998 as a grassroots effort by dedicated citizens in cooperation with Golden Hills RC&D and Western Iowa Tourism Region. Western Skies is among the first state-designated scenic byways in Iowa. The Byway is 142 miles long, traveling through Harrison, Shelby, Audubon and Guthrie counties and 14 rural communities. It is easily accessible to travelers from both Interstate 80 and Interstate 29 in western Iowa. The Byway journeys through Iowa’s rolling hills and working farms, offering travelers a chance to experience life in the rural communities along the way.
Countless thanks go to the County Board of Supervisors' continued financial support. Thanks also go to the County Engineers and County Conservation Boards whose members provide numerous hours of professional expertise and to the landowners and individuals who continue to volunteer their time to the byway.
The Western Skies Scenic Byway guidebook and this website have been sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and Iowa Department of Transportation.
Byway Council
The Byway is governed by a board of representatives from the four Byway counties, including tourism, recreation, conservation, business, and transportation leaders.
Corridor Management Plan & Interpretive Master Plan
The Byway Corridor Management Plan, or CMP, is a guiding document for the future of Western Skies. Development of the Plan included special studies and public input sessions about enhancing and preserving the region’s resources, developing tourism, providing adequate amenities, and economic development. These are the foundation for development of the Corridor Management Plan. This Plan identifies the need for, and means of, undertaking actions to enhance and preserve the unique intrinsic qualities that make the Western Skies Scenic Byway an attraction for visitors from all over the world. This Western Skies Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan provides the Byway Council and Stakeholders with guidance for the development, management and promotion of the byway.
The Corridor Management Plan consists of the following six sections:
• Introducing the Plan
• Understanding the Resources
• Understanding Tourism
• Marketing & Branding
• Corridor Development Actions
• References.
Download the Western Skies CMP here. This is a large pdf file and may take a moment to download.
In addition to the CMP, an Interpretive Master Plan (IMP) was completed in 2015 to help guide interpretive opportunities along Western Skies. Download the IMP here. This is a large pdf file and may take a moment to download.
The IMP recommends new interpretive panels at tourist attractions along the Byway corridor. The photos below are examples of panels that were installed at the Shelby County Historical Museum in Harlan. We are working with other communities to add similar panels with other topics. Click here to view more panels that we are developing for Shelby County.
The vision of the Western Skies Scenic Byway is to secure sustainable growth and development of the designated route and corridor while holding firm to the history and culture that continues to be visible today. Through strategic partnerships with local, state, national, and regional organizations, the byway aims to create a unique and experiential attraction attentive to minimize environmental impact. Attention is directed towards development of the arts, small businesses, traveler amenities and cultural and natural resources along the byway with a broad marketing approach. Through a collaborative effort and regional approach, the Western Skies Scenic Byway aims to positively impact economic development in the byway region while respecting the resources located along the route.
The mission of Western Skies Scenic Byway is to offer a memorable and cultural travel experience that stitches together tranquile small towns, farmstead, and scenic countryside, all preserved through a pioneering spirit and stewardship of the land.
Byway History
Western Skies Scenic Byway began in 1998 as a grassroots effort by dedicated citizens in cooperation with Golden Hills RC&D and Western Iowa Tourism Region. Western Skies is among the first state-designated scenic byways in Iowa. The Byway is 142 miles long, traveling through Harrison, Shelby, Audubon and Guthrie counties and 14 rural communities. It is easily accessible to travelers from both Interstate 80 and Interstate 29 in western Iowa. The Byway journeys through Iowa’s rolling hills and working farms, offering travelers a chance to experience life in the rural communities along the way.
Countless thanks go to the County Board of Supervisors' continued financial support. Thanks also go to the County Engineers and County Conservation Boards whose members provide numerous hours of professional expertise and to the landowners and individuals who continue to volunteer their time to the byway.
The Western Skies Scenic Byway guidebook and this website have been sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and Iowa Department of Transportation.
Byway Council
The Byway is governed by a board of representatives from the four Byway counties, including tourism, recreation, conservation, business, and transportation leaders.
Corridor Management Plan & Interpretive Master Plan
The Byway Corridor Management Plan, or CMP, is a guiding document for the future of Western Skies. Development of the Plan included special studies and public input sessions about enhancing and preserving the region’s resources, developing tourism, providing adequate amenities, and economic development. These are the foundation for development of the Corridor Management Plan. This Plan identifies the need for, and means of, undertaking actions to enhance and preserve the unique intrinsic qualities that make the Western Skies Scenic Byway an attraction for visitors from all over the world. This Western Skies Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan provides the Byway Council and Stakeholders with guidance for the development, management and promotion of the byway.
The Corridor Management Plan consists of the following six sections:
• Introducing the Plan
• Understanding the Resources
• Understanding Tourism
• Marketing & Branding
• Corridor Development Actions
• References.
Download the Western Skies CMP here. This is a large pdf file and may take a moment to download.
In addition to the CMP, an Interpretive Master Plan (IMP) was completed in 2015 to help guide interpretive opportunities along Western Skies. Download the IMP here. This is a large pdf file and may take a moment to download.
The IMP recommends new interpretive panels at tourist attractions along the Byway corridor. The photos below are examples of panels that were installed at the Shelby County Historical Museum in Harlan. We are working with other communities to add similar panels with other topics. Click here to view more panels that we are developing for Shelby County.
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Blog Posts about the Byway
From Golden Hills RC&D:
Hiking
Lodging
Birding
Outdoor Recreation
Tourism
Land Stewardship
Arts & Culture
Local Foods
From Ro Giencke:
From Biker Chick News:
Hiking
- Hiking the Byways: Harrison County on the Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Hiking the Byways: Shelby County on Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Hiking the Western Skies Scenic Byway: Audubon County
- Hiking the Western Skies Scenic Byway: Guthrie County
- Hiking with Dogs in Western Iowa
Lodging
- Cabins on the Byways
- Camping on the Byways
- Unique places to stay on Western Skies & Glacial Trail Scenic Byways
Birding
- Visit the Western Skies Scenic Byway Birding Trail
- Birding Options abound on Western Skies
- Birding the Byways
Outdoor Recreation
- Avoid the crowds at parks & trails along Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Stargazing Western Skies
- Outdoor Winter Activities on Western Iowa's Scenic Byways
- 15 Fishing Spots in Western Iowa
- Beaches on the Byways
- Explore Western Iowa Prairies on National Prairie Day
- Barking the Byways: Off-leash Dog Parks in Western Iowa
- Biking the Byways
- State Preserves on the Byways
- Ballpark to Ballpark Trail – Shelby County, Iowa
- Take a Hike on the Iowa Side!
Tourism
- Enjoy the fall colors on western Iowa's scenic byways
- Holiday lights on Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Indoor Winter Activities on Western Iowa's Scenic Byways
- Holiday & Winter Events along Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Western Skies Scenic Byway prize package featured in new Scenic Byways Passport promotion
- Scenic Byways mean big business for western Iowa communities
- Celebrate International Museum Day at 7 Memorable Museums in Western Iowa
- Agritourism on the Byways
- Farm Fun on the Byways
- Rodeos on the Byways
- Fall Scenic Drives on Glacial Trail and Western Skies Scenic Byways
- Explore the Local Legends of the Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Six Bucket List Things To Do on Western Skies Scenic Byway
Land Stewardship
- What's Blooming on the Byway?
- Reading the rural landscape along Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Wind & water shaped the land along Western Skies Scenic Byway
- Viewing Conservation Practices on the Byways
Arts & Culture
Local Foods
- Breakfast on the Byways
- Breweries on the Byways
- Featured Farm: One Farm, Logan, Iowa
- Featured Farm: Brun Ko Farm
From Ro Giencke:
From Biker Chick News:
Botany on the Byway
Golden Hills staff have started a series of "Botany on the Byway" Facebook posts about flowers and plants you might encounter while traveling Western Skies:
