Department of Transportation

National Scenic Byways Destinations

National Scenic Byways are transportation corridors of particular nationwide interest. National Scenic Byways are designated by the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.

New York State has four nationally designated scenic byways:

• Great Lakes Seaway Trail, National Scenic Byway 
• Lakes to Locks Passage, All American Road 
• Mohawk Towpath Byway, National Scenic Byway
• Palisades Scenic Byway, National Scenic Byway

For more information on the National Scenic Byways Program, and byways across the country, visit National Scenic Byways Online.

Building Your Byway, from the Ground Up

The Hudson River Valley Greenway partnered with the University at Albany to develop this website and guide book as a resource for the New York State Scenic Byways Program to support New York State communities interested in utilizing scenic byway designation and the Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (SBCMP) process to enrich the quality of life in New York State.

• Building Your Byway Guide Book  
• Building Your Byway Website

NYS Byway Destinations

In New York State, there are several types of corridors that fall under the Scenic Byways Program.

State Scenic Byways are transportation corridors that are of particular statewide interest. They are representative of a region's scenic, recreational, cultural, natural, historic or archaeological significance.

When the program was created by the State Legislature  in 1992, some corridors automatically became Scenic Byways.
These include: 

• Scenic Roads that were designated by the New York State  Department of Conservation prior to the creation of the Scenic Byways Program; 
• Parkways that exhibit statewide scenic, recreational, cultural, natural, historic or archaeological significance; and the 
• North Country Touring Routes.

Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration

Background

2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the completion of the original Erie Canal. The Erie Canal Bicentennial Commission and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are commemorating this historic engineering and cultural achievement by organizing community events, arts and cultural activities, academic forums, and legacy projects. These initiatives highlight the essential role the canal system played in the industrial and social development of New York State, as well as the canal’s transformation into a uniquely valued recreational resource. For a list of events in and around the canal, check out the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor’s Event Calendar.  New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has two scenic byways along the Erie Canal: the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway and the Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc.

The Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway follows the canal's route through the historic Stockade District of Schenectady to Waterford, NY. This byway narrates the canal’s impact on the development of surrounding communities, New York State, and the nation. Activities such as cycling, hiking, birdwatching, and boating can be enjoyed along the Mohawk Towpath.

The Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. is New York State’s only All-American Road—the highest designation a byway can achieve. This byway serves as a destination in itself, connecting various battle sites from the American Revolution, the French and Indian War, and the War of 1812. The route also follows the interconnected waterways of the Upper Hudson River, Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Richelieu River, and the Chambly Canal.

For more information on these two byways and the events along each route, please visit the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway and Lakes to Locks Passage websites.