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The Spot, a designated overlook along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, with views of wind‑formed ridges, rolling slopes, and the broad western Iowa countryside extending toward the horizon.

The Spot, a small overlook along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, offering a clear view of the region’s steep, wind‑built hills.


Did you know that Iowa is home to a 220-mile stretch of land unlike anywhere else in the world except for China? Running almost the full length of the state’s western border, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway is a breathtaking mix of large rolling hills, prairie and forest that has been carved into extraordinary shapes by wind and time. The Loess Hills are not only a geological marvel but also a haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. This region’s dramatic topography offers more than just scenic views, it tells a story of natural wonder and resilience. Join us as we explore what makes this area so unique and how you can experience its beauty firsthand.


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Early morning in downtown Chicago with sunlight across Jackson Boulevard as a Route 66 sign points toward the Adams Street starting point.

Following the Route 66 sign on Jackson Boulevard to the Adams Street starting point in downtown Chicago.


Illinois is where the Mother Road begins! Connecting Chicago to St. Louis, 301 miles of Route 66 stretch between these two cities. You'll encounter charming towns filled with vintage diners and many beautifully restored filling stations. It's a state of giants, unusual roadside photo-ops, and museums that bring the past to life. In Illinois, you'll experience a nostalgic yesteryear with classic Midwest Americana as you drive past expansive prairies and iconic neon. There's a wealth of history and much to explore here as you set out for adventure on your All-American road trip down the Mother Road.


Illinois Route 66 has been awarded an All-American Road designation, the highest National Scenic Byway designation.


​​This article will guide you through the BEST gems of Illinois Route 66, so you'll be prepared for an unforgettable, fun-filled journey of historical treasures and memories.


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A landscape view of jagged Absaroka Mountain peaks rising behind a field of dry golden grass, with a dirt path leading toward a line of trees and a small building at the base of the mountains under a clear blue sky.

Jagged Absaroka peaks rise above the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, where Wapiti Ridge reaches an unnamed 12,165‑foot summit. Ptarmigan and Citadel Mountains are the only named peaks nearby. Wapiti is a Shawnee word for elk.

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The legacy of William F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, is remembered in Wyoming through his namesake town of Cody and the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. This scenic byway leads to Yellowstone National Park's lesser-used east entrance, showcasing some of the region's most spectacular views while walking in the footsteps of pioneers who helped shape America's Wild West.


Cody, the town, is a compelling blend of frontier charm meets modern adventure hub. More than just a gateway, it's a historical treasure trove with attractions like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where visitors can immerse themselves in exhibits that tell tales of exploration and Americana. Yet beyond its museums and Western-themed performances lies an active community ready to introduce curious wanderers to untamed wildlife expeditions and outdoor sports. Whether you're stepping back into yesteryear or forging new trails today, Cody combines heritage with wide-open possibilities unlike anywhere else.


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A high‑elevation view along the Beartooth Highway shows a paved road curving across an open alpine plateau. Reddish‑brown tundra and scattered rocks fill the foreground, with deep valleys and layered mountain ridges extending into the distance. Sunlight filters through clouds, creating soft rays across the scene. A single vehicle travels along the road, emphasizing the scale of the surrounding landscape.

A panoramic view along the Beartooth Highway frames the glacially sculpted pyramid known historically as the Needle, rising between the granite peaks of the Beartooth Mountains. Identified by the Crow as the Bear’s Tooth, this landmark later gave its name to the surrounding range and the high‑elevation road that crosses it.


Sprawling across the Montana and Wyoming borders between Red Lodge, Montana, and the Northeast Gate to Yellowstone National Park, the Beartooth Highway (US-212), a National Scenic Byway's All-American Road, stands out as one of America's most unique and picturesque scenic drives. It's not just a road but an engineering marvel that winds through the rugged Absaroka and the Beartooth Mountains, offering stunning vistas of high alpine plateaus, glacial lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. This road offers an unforgettable driving experience, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless.


Spanning over a million acres of wilderness, the Beartooth Highway is the highest-elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet), Montana (10,350 feet), and the Northern Rockies. It's a paradise for adventure enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of recreational activities, from skiing in the summer months of June and July, hiking across vast plateaus, to spotting a diverse range of wildlife such as mountain goats, moose, elk, marmots, mule deer, black bears, grizzly bears, or wolves. You can also fish for trout in nearby streams and lakes or camp at one of the 13 National Forest campgrounds. Even during winter, when the Beartooth Highway is closed, snowmobilers enjoy traversing this route through a captivating winter landscape.


The Beartooth Highway calls for an adventurous soul, challenging your flexibility as you maneuver through its sharp curves and pause at its many scenic viewpoints to admire the wildlife or take a break. So, buckle up; you're about to set off on a trip where every mile promises wonder and awe.


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Wide view of the Carissa Mine and Mill at South Pass City, showing weathered wooden and metal buildings, a tall framework tower, and a long elevated trestle on open grassland. Dark clouds hang over the surrounding mountains.

Dark clouds gather in the mountains around the Carissa Mine and Mill at South Pass City. The historic mining structures stand on an open stretch of high‑plains grassland, with the trestle, mill buildings, and surrounding ridges visible beneath the overcast sky.


Gold was discovered in the Sweetwater Creek in 1842, this initial finding, probably by miners en route to California along the Emigrant Trails, was a precursor to a more significant event. It wasn't until 1867 that soldiers from Fort Bridger discovered gold and filed the first claim in the Dakota Territory. This event led to the birth of South Pass City. When these soldiers returned to Fort Bridger that autumn, the news triggered a gold rush. The effect was swift and dramatic: South Pass City grew overnight.


Unlike many boomtowns that succumbed to time and neglect, South Pass City is a rare survivor, remarkably well-preserved. It is a gateway to an extraordinary past that continues to resonate today. What truly distinguishes South Pass City is its historic charm, the convergence of hard work, luck, and foresight that has safeguarded its legacy, making it a beacon of American frontier history.


The tale of South Pass City illuminates the indomitable spirit of those who dared to dream in the unforgiving Wyoming frontier. The early boom years were a test of endurance, where settlers, with their unwavering determination, laid a foundation for economic stability that outlasted the fleeting gold rush fever. While many ghost towns faded when the gold declined, South Pass City clung to its historical roots, becoming a precious gem of American history. Today, South Pass City, a State Historic site, is one of Wyoming's most renowned ghost towns and the most authentic old settlements in the American West, a testament to the settlers' perseverance.



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Eroded badlands formations with layered tan, brown, white, and reddish rock rise in rugged slopes and cliffs, with sparse vegetation and distant hills beneath an overcast sky.

In this otherworldly landscape, the overcast skies intensify the vivid colors of the badlands at Hell’s Half Acre in Wyoming.


Nestled in the rugged heart of Natrona County, lies a landscape like nowhere else in the state of Wyoming. It is so bewilderingly alien that it could easily be mistaken for a slice of Mars dropped onto Earth. Hell's Half Acre, as it is ominously named, stretches across an expanse that belies its daunting moniker, sprawling far beyond its implied dimensions into a 320-acre scarp of jagged ravines and intricate rock formations.


The story of Hell's Half Acre begins millions of years ago, when it was created primarily by erosion and sculpted by the relentless forces of weather. Yet, despite its seemingly inhospitable terrain, this area harbors a rich tapestry of life and history. Native American tribes have long revered this land; tales of spirits and otherworldly beings are etched into its very essence. Meanwhile, pop culture has also cast its spotlight onto this eerie landscape — serving as an alien planet backdrop in the Hollywood film Starship Troopers. As we peel back the layers on Hell's Half Acre, prepare to embark on an exploration that defies expectations at every turn.


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Author


Susan Tregoning is a fourth‑generation photographer and Midwest-based visual storyteller dedicated to preserving America’s architectural and roadside heritage. Drawing on her design background and a lifelong connection to photography, she documents historic buildings, small towns, and scenic byways across the region. Her work creates thoughtful visual records that honor the character, craftsmanship, and cultural memory embedded in places that are often overlooked yet define the American experience.