ST. LOUIS— A proposed scenic byway will help highlight and define the natural beauty of the Ozarks. The group Scenic Missouri is behind the push to create the 375-mile Ozark Run Scenic Byway. 

MoDOT has already received the application for the Scenic Byway. It includes the plans for the route and letters of support from several towns along the proposed byway and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. 

A 13-minute video was released recently on YouTube explaining more about the proposal.

“Over the years I have learned a lot about the Ozarks just from driving these roads. Now I want to help more people discover the Ozarks like I have,” says Eric Hermanson, a member of Scenic Missouri, in the video. 

Hermanson points out sights to enjoy like Greer Spring, Lake Taneycomo and the granite rock pool at Johnson Shut-Ins. 

According to the group’s application, the Ozark Run Scenic Byway will start near St. Louis, head south toward the Arcadia Valley and end up near Branson. The route will get people off interstates and instead have them weaving through small towns where they can take in scenic highlights, recreation and more. 

The group behind the proposal also believes it will help define what and where the Ozark region is as well as unite communities.

The proposed byway will be divided into five sprints or runs. The plan is to use existing roads like Highway 21 for the Gateway Sprint in the St. Louis area, Highway 185 for the Meramec Sprint near Potosi. You can see all the proposed sprints here.

Scenic Missouri makes the case that a scenic byway will have the Ozarks benefiting from greater recognition and could lead to more tourism dollars. The application points out scenic byways in other states generate millions of dollars. There is even an opportunity it could branch into Arkansas and Oklahoma. 

The proposal needs official approval from every county and municipality along the route for it to exist.