Parts of the byway enter Black Hills National Forest, Custer State Park, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial; the byway also travels within five miles (eight point zero kilometres) of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

The byway is named after Peter Norbeck, who served as governor of and senator for South Dakota.

The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway consists of a loop made up of four numbered highways.

The byway enters Custer State Park along its eastern edge and turns west at its intersection with SD 36.

In the western part of the state park, the byway splits into two highways, one which follows US 16A westward and one which follows SD 87 northward.