The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway is pleased to announce the launch of its first-ever 2026 Photo Contest: “Every Mile Tells a Story”, a seven-month initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors alike to explore and capture its beauty and activities.
Open to the public and free to enter, the contest invites participants to submit photographs taken along the New York State Route 97 Upper Delaware Scenic Byway from April 1 to Nov. 1. Image options are open-ended for the byway, which has been divided into three geographic sections. A detailed map outlining the official boundaries is available on the Byway’s website.
Participants may submit up to three photos per person through a simple online form at www.udsb.net/photocontest, which also provides contest rules. Winning entries will be awarded with cash prizes and gift certificates to local businesses located along the Byway to further support the region’s vibrant small business community.
Selected submissions will be featured in a printed photo exhibit to be displayed in 2027, showcasing the diverse perspectives and scenic beauty captured by participants.
The 2026 Photo Contest builds on the success of the award-winning 2025 Upper Delaware Scavenger Hunt and continues the Byway’s mission to highlight its unique landscapes, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. As a treasured resource in the southern Catskills and southern New York, the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway offers a rich experience for travelers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The state-designated byway runs through three counties in the Village of Hancock, Towns of Delaware, Cochecton, Tusten, Highland, Lumberland, Deepark, and the City of Port Jervis, connecting NYS Rt. 17/I-86 to I-84/U.S. Route 6 on a route largely paralleling the nationally designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
