Scenic Drives (2024)

Scenic Drives (1)

Five National and State Scenic Byways covering hundreds of miles make South Dakota a road trip paradise

South Dakota's diverse landscape, iconic monuments, national parks and natural wonders give it the makings for the perfect road trip. Life's about the journey and here, scenic byways take travelers through the other-worldly formations of the Badlands to world-famous monuments like Mount Rushmore. Through tribal lands seeped in rich native american history where spiritual leaderslike Sitting Bull now rest to Custer State Park where the buffalo still roam free, we encourage you take the scenic route and let life happen between the mile markers.

Scenic Drives (2)

Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway

Some of the most incredible roads anywhere make up the 70-mile Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America. This byway's spiraling bridges and hairpin curves will lead youthrough portions ofCuster State Park, the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, nearMount Rushmore National Memorialand the Black Elk National Wilderness Area.Mix in tunnels through fantastic granite pinnacles, beautiful mountain lakes, along with free-roaming wildlifeand you have a never-to-be-forgotten road trip.

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Native American National and State Scenic Byway

Breathtaking views of theMissouri River, diverse landscapes, and tribal history and culture are showcased on the Native American National and State Scenic Byway running north and south through central South Dakota. This scenic byway travelsthrough the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux Tribes.

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Spearfish Canyon State and National Forest Service Scenic Byway

Following the curves and contours of Spearfish Creekthat carved through the limestone walls of Spearfish Canyon many millennia ago, this 19-mile scenic byway framed by spruce, pine, aspen, birch and oak trees climbing the ascending cliff walls is consistently named one of the best fall drives in North America. Waterfalls, outstanding hikes, trout-filled pools,hidden swimming holes and popular climbing spots await travelers of this popular Black Hills route.

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United States

Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway

Windthrough pine-covered hills, rolling prairies and red-walled canyons. Experience a traffic jam caused by buffalo, meet the popular "begging burros"or spot bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, coyote, prairie dog and numerous bird specieson theWildlife Loop. This 18-mile scenic bywayis ahighlightof a park that has many.

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Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway

Some describe Badlands National Park as lunar-like, the Native Americans were the first to call it "bad lands," or "mako sica."Breathtaking rock formations, other-worldly hiking trailsand 16 designatedscenic overlooks on this 39-mile loop guarantee more than one stop along the way.

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United States

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Scenic Drives (2024)

FAQs

What does very scenic drive mean? ›

: a way that is not the fastest way but that has beautiful scenery.

How do you use scenic route in a sentence? ›

Examples of 'scenic route' in a sentence
  • Or if you want to go the scenic route, everything gets loftier. ...
  • If there is a more scenic route anywhere in the world I'd be happy to drive it.
  • WHY not take the scenic route home for a change?
  • It's a real scenic route and it looks amazing.
  • And it has indeed been a scenic route.

What is the most scenic drive in the world? ›

The 10 Most Scenic Roads in the World
  1. Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa.
  2. Milford Road, New Zealand. ...
  3. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan. ...
  4. Ruta 40, Argentina. ...
  5. Route 1, Iceland. ...
  6. Transfa*garasan Highway, Romania. ...
  7. Amalfi Drive, Italy. ...
  8. Pacific Coast Highway, USA. ...

What does scenic route mean in life? ›

The 'scenic route' is a more attractive, but usually less direct, route than the one which might normally be taken. It will take longer but be more enjoyable (probably having more interesting scenery and less traffic). It's sometimes used figuratively to mean taking a longer route than necessary just to kill time.

What is a good sentence for scenic? ›

Examples of scenic in a Sentence

the scenic beauty of the countryside Our hotel had a scenic view of the lake. The country around here is very scenic.

What is a sentence for scenic view? ›

The stadium is surrounded by hills and has a scenic view. This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. The park contains a scenic view of the river and contains benches and picnic tables.

What is a good quote for a road trip? ›

51 Quotes to Inspire Your Next Road Trip
  • “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin” - Tony Robbins.
  • “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey” - Babs Hoffman.
  • “Wherever you get to is better than where you started. ...
  • “Kilometers are shorter than miles.
Apr 21, 2023

What is the hardest city to drive in? ›

Coming in first place with a whopping 100 out of 100 score was none other than Oakland, CA. Though the Bay Area city received marks across the board, it was ranked particularly poorly due to a high number of fatal car accidents, steep gas prices, and a high average commute time.

What is the hardest country to drive in? ›

China, Hungary and Montenegro are the hardest countries to pass your driving test.

Why is it called the scenic route? ›

A scenic route, tourist road, tourist route, tourist drive, holiday route, theme route, or scenic byway is a specially designated road or waterway that travels through an area of natural or cultural beauty. It often passes by scenic viewpoints.

What is the meaning of scenic? ›

: having, providing, or relating to a pleasing or beautiful view of natural scenery (such as mountains, hills, valleys, etc.) the scenic beauty of the countryside. Our hotel had a scenic view of the lake. a scenic route/drive. The country around here is very scenic.

Who said "Always take the scenic route"? ›

Quote by Dr. Janice Anderson & Kiersten Anderson: “Always take the scenic route.”

What is the meaning of scenic road? ›

A scenic route, tourist road, tourist route, tourist drive, holiday route, theme route, or scenic byway is a specially designated road or waterway that travels through an area of natural or cultural beauty.

What is the description of a scenic beauty? ›

From a grand mountainside to a shimmering lake or from the dark starry skies to a single wildflower bloom–can't we all agree these are scenic or beautiful views.

What does it mean to have great drive? ›

It also means your internal force propelling you to succeed regardless of the obstacles. Drive means to force forward, pursue, or “rush against.” Drive can be channeled towards goals, or it can be towards people; defined as propelling someone forward.

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