The Wisconsin Great River Road is Wisconsin’s only designated National Scenic Byway and the best drive in the Midwest.
The 250-mile Wisconsin Great River Road is part of the ten-state Great River Road National Scenic Byway, which follows the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through ten states, from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1938 by Franklin Roosevelt, the Great River Road is America’s oldest and most distinguished byway.
The National Great River Road is managed by the Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC). The MRPC is a multi-state organization that works collectively to preserve, promote, and enhance the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the Mississippi River.
For decades, the volunteers of the MRPC have coordinated efforts on federal, state, and local levels to leverage millions of dollars for highway improvements, recreational trails, bikeways, scenic overlooks, and historic preservation.
The Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission (WI-MRPC) oversees the Wisconsin Great River Road. The WI-MRPC is made up of representatives from communities located along the Wisconsin Great River Road.
Header photo courtesy of Travel Wisconsin