Stretching 229 miles across western Iowa, the Western Skies Scenic Byway reveals the sweeping beauty of the state’s rolling prairie landscape. This state-designated scenic route winds through vast open farmland, gentle bluffs, and quiet river valleys where the horizon seems to stretch on forever beneath enormous Midwestern skies.

Travelers will discover charming small towns with historic courthouses, grain elevators silhouetted against golden sunsets, and unexpected pockets of natural beauty along creek bottoms and wooded hillsides. The route passes through the Loess Hills, a rare geological formation found only here and in China, where wind-deposited soil creates dramatic ridgelines rising sharply from the surrounding plains. Watch for wildlife in restored prairie patches and along peaceful stretches of river where herons wade in the shallows.

Stop at local diners for home-cooked meals and visit roadside heritage sites that tell the story of westward expansion and agricultural life on the Great Plains. The byway rewards those who slow down and appreciate the quiet grandeur of open country.

The best time to drive is late spring through early fall, when wildflowers dot the prairies and the light turns golden at dusk. Allow a full day to savor the journey.

Explore Nearby

• Springbrook State Park — State Park in Iowa
• Lake Anita State Park — State Park in Iowa
• Hogback Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Iowa
• Roseman Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Iowa
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail — Public Land in Idaho