Congratulations to our 2022
Byway Organization Award Winners
- Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway- Maine
- Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways
- California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow National Scenic Byway
- Covered Bridges Scenic Byway- Iowa
- Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway – Nebraska
- Natchez Trace Parkway- Mississippi
- Silver Thread National Scenic Byway- Colorado
- Blue Ridge Parkway- North Carolina
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Byway Enhancement Award
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust led the enhancements on the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway with the installment of the Rangeley Region Wayfinding System. The RRWS features beautifully designed welcome and directional signs to guide visitors from the North, South, East, or West and through our region. The Rangeley Region Wayfinding System and the Perlson Scenic Turnout provide visitors the tools to understand what makes the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway unique and exceptional. The RRWS directs visitors to the 16 key experiences related to our intrinsic qualities and tells a part of our story. The Perlson Scenic Turnout maps the region’s key experiences and tells the absolute story of the property and the related story of the fisheries restoration efforts in the Sandy River Valley.
Read more about the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway at rlht.org/
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
Communications Award
Colorado’s diverse transportation system links all of us together, but most importantly takes us to places in our beautiful state that often go missed. The #ColoradoByways campaign on Instagram was a visual storytelling project that highlighted the rich history, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and more along each of the 26 Scenic and Historic Colorado Byways. Our goals were not only to educate and engage our followers on Instagram about Colorado’s Scenic Byways, but to also grow this channel to reach more travelers across colorful Colorado. For seven months (June – December), we showcased a new Colorado Byway weekly in different regions across the state. Using a byways map to strategically create an editorial calendar of which roadway we would feature based on best times to safely travel became an excellent twoway communication effort to reach travelers.
Read more about Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways.
California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow
National Scenic Byway Hospitality Award
This California Byway strengthened their support and awareness of the Byway with the First Anniversary Celebration of national designation, by bringing in new partners and representatives from two other Route 66 states -Arizona and Illinois. The Celebration took place at the historic El Garces Harvey House and Depot with more than 300 attendees. Their 18 partners are diverse, but all with the common interest in Needles, Route 66 and the Mojave Desert. Native American Tribes, cowboys, outdoor enthusiasts, motorcyclists, and preservationists are among our partners. The Fort
Mojave Indian Tribe had an information table and beading demonstrations, reinforcing both the historic and cultural intrinsic qualities of the Byway. Members of the tribe were the laborers who built the El Garces and tribal members sold their wares trackside during the Harvey era. The Anul Cuwal Santa Isabel Needles Regional Museum was also open for visitors to learn more about the history and culture of the area. El Garces is located on the actual Byway- one of the original alignments of Route 66 through the town of Needles.
Read more about the CA Route 66 at www.route66ca.org/.
Covered Bridges Scenic Byway – Iowa
Interpretation Award
The winning Discovery Guide project was the creation of a 16-page booklet for the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. The booklet contains an introduction to the byway, a two-page spread on each of our six byway stories/themes, contact information, and directions to the byway and our welcome centers. For each of our byway stories, the guide includes an overview, historic and current photographs, a featured asset, and a table of the sights to see. Each story’s spread was designed to mimic an interpretive panel, which we hope to one day manufacture and display along the byway.
Read more about the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway in Iowa at
www.madisoncounty.com/.
Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway – Nebraska
Leveraging Resources Award
The idea for a fundraising effort for our byway was created in October, 2007, when Sandhills Motel owners, Mitch and Patty Glidden, Mullen, NE organized the Polar Bear Tank Race (PBTR). It’s primary purpose was to put ‘heads in beds during slack tourism season.’

Natchez Trace Parkway – Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee
Partnership Award
The Natchez Trace Partners developed a COVID recovery strategic plan to recreate economic impact through travel and tourism. Our message was clear, “Explore the Trace, Discover America.” Our accompanying tag showcased our geographic location, “A Unique Journey from Natchez to Nashville.” Partners combined money from their individual DMOs and the state tourism offices to share information regarding COVID protocols, closures and openings of attractions, hotels and restaurants and activities that met socially distanced recommendations. One of our most impactful tactics was a public relations campaign designed to reach a larger audience without paying for costly advertising. We developed a socially- distanced itinerary for travel writers Kristin Luna of Camels & Chocolate and Wall Street Journal travel writer Andrew Nelson. Both writers came to the Natchez Trace and visited each of our communities. They shared how to safely experience the areas and captured stunning images to accompany the writings. Their results were phenomenal. Our complimentary advertising and social media posts communicated how safety protocols were being followed and how to vacation.
Read more about the Natchez Trace at www.scenictrace.com/.
Silver Thread National Scenic Byway – Colorado
Viewshed Improvement Award
The Silver Thread National Scenic Byway traverses the central San Juan Mountains along Lake San Cristobal, Colorado’s second largest natural lake. A community-driven purchase of the peninsula and adjacent islands on the Lake’s shoreline enhances the visitor’s experience along both the Silver Thread and Alpine Loop Scenic Byways.
Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina
Visitor Experience Award
- Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway-All-American Road (WY) Hospitality Award – Honorable Mention
Read more about Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway (WY) at www.tourwyoming.com/explore/scenic-byways.
- Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Partnership Award – Honorable Mention
Read about the Illinois Route 66 at www.Illinoisroute66.org/
- Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway – Maine Viewshed Improvement – Honorable Mention
Read about the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway at oldcanadaroadbyway.org