Overview

HIghway 44 is the main route of Western Skies Scenic Byway through Shelby County. A loop past Panama and through Westphalia via County Highway F-32 and Highway 59 reconnects with Highway 44 in Harlan. 

Communities

Communities directly on the byway in Shelby County:

Attractions

This is just a sampling of the recreational and cultural sites in Shelby County.. Shelby County's tourism website is also a great resource to check out. Visit our page on Travel Iowa's website to learn about more attractions and amenities.
Green indicates outdoor recreational opportunities and orange are cultural, historic, and arts attractions. ​​
German Colonies & Catholic Churches
Strong ethnic influences on present-day customs and traditions of the people in the Scenic Byway Corridor can be traced to large immigrant settlements in Western Iowa. Present-day communities located in the heart of these settlements include the five German Colonies of Defiance, Earling, Panama, Portsmouth and Westphalia. These communities make up the German Villages Tour, where the lasting mark of their German Catholic heritage may be best seen in the outer beauty and interior craftsmanship of the historic churches.   
Website: http://www.shco.org/Departments/Tourism.aspx
Picture
Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Portsmouth. Photo by Lance Brisbois
Harlan Square Historic District
Enjoy outdoor daily music and nightly rooftop light shows while shopping, dining, or seeing a movie in downtown Harlan. The courthouse square is a registered historic district with unique architecture and history. Download a Historic Downtown Harlan Walking Tour booklet. 
Website: https://www.traveliowa.com/destination/harlan-historic-downtown/10074/
Nishna Bend Recreation Area
This 80-acre park features 2 camping cabins, 18 electrical campsites with modern shower building, 5 sandpit fishing ponds, wetlands, prairies, river access, hiking trails, hunting, and a nature center.
Website: https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Shelby/Park/Nishna-Bend-Recreation-Area.aspx
Prairie Rose State Park
Prairie Rose State Park located southeast of Harlan is one of the most attractive outdoor recreation areas in western Iowa. The 422-acre park lies in a region of scenic hills, six miles east and three miles south of Harlan. The lake is popular for fishing, paddling, and boating. The park also features a beach, two campgrounds with electrical and full hookups, two camping cabins, and 7 miles of trails. 
Website: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/parkdetails/parkid/610139
Elk Horn 
Elk Horn and Kimballton (located 3 miles away in Audubon County) form the largest rural Danish settlement in the country.. These two small communities, collectively known as the “Danish Villages”, proudly celebrate their heritage. Elk Horn features an authentic Danish windmill & museum, the Museum of Danish America,  and several other cultural sites. 
Website: http://www.danishvillages.com/

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