Scenic Byway Passports

Iowa Scenic Byway Passport

What do John Wayne, Al Capone, and Bonnie and Clyde all have in common? Iowa Byways, of course! Walk where they walked, see what they saw, and experience small town America as you explore the Local Legends of Iowa's Scenic Byways. The Iowa Scenic Byway Passport is new this year with an emphasis on Local Legends and fun new prizes, including limited edition Local Legend collectable cards. Now you can enjoy the beauty of Iowa’s scenic byways while learning about the history, people and places along the byways. Who knows, you might even become a Legend yourself!

It’s free to sign up and the more locations along the byways you visit, the more points you earn. Earn enough points and you can use them to secure a packet of 14 limited edition Local Legend Trading Cards. Additional prizes will be announced throughout the year.

Click here to learn more or sign up for your free passport!

Covered Bridges Scenic Byway Explorer's Program

Have you picked up your free Covered Bridges Scenic Byway Explorers Journal yet? This little passport takes you out to twelve sites along the byway, where you'll find posted rubbing plates to make an impression in your booklet, along with QR codes that will take you to fun little videos we made with local kids explaining a Weird & Wonderful Fact about that site or person. Pick your passport up at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, the Iowa Quilt Museum, or Madison County Historical Complex, and get traveling the byway! (See the comments below to pinpoint where each of the 12 rubbing plates is located!)

1. Clark Tower: Near Clark Tower in Winterset City Park. The rubbing plate post is located to the right of the parking area and tower, near a walking path.
2. Delicious Apple Marker: The rubbing plate post is located to the left of the apple monument in City Park, just north of Bennett Cabin.
3. George Stout Storybook: The post is located in a flower bed in front of the sculpture.
4. George Washington Carver: The rubbing plate is located alongside the walkway inside of Carver Park.
5. Imes Covered Bridge: The rubbing plate post is attached to the wooden Welcome Center kiosk to the right of the bridge.
6. Iowa Quilt Museum: The rubbing plate is located on the building’s exterior to the right of the museum’s entrance.
7. Iowa Theater: The rubbing plate is attached to the building's exterior to the right of the theater’s entrance.
8. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum: The rubbing plate is located in the flower bed to the right of the museum's main entrance.
9. Madison County Courthouse: The rubbing plate is temporarily in the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, located at the corner of John Wayne Drive and Jefferson Street in Winterset.
10. Madison County Historical Complex: The rubbing plate post is located next to the three-hole privy, located behind the Bevington-Kaser home.
11. Monumental Park: The rubbing plate post is located just behind the limestone arch at the entrance to the park.
12. Pammel Park: The rubbing plate post is next to the Backbone Trail sign just off the parking area by Backbone Trail & Shelter, north of the campground in the park.