The Beartooth Highway, a National Scenic Byways All-American Road, features breathtaking views of the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, and open high alpine plateaus dotted with countless glacial lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife. Things to note before your trip down Beartooth Highway Silver Gate Have any questions about your trip through the Beartooth Highway? Originally constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), it is situated in the Clarks Fork Valley and has been designated as a historic site by the National Park Service. It is sometimes called the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway because of the two cities it connects. Amid the widespread death and destruction, wild crea The Last Resort Lodge is a historic motel originally built in the 1950s. Just make sure your dates of travel are from June through early October, when this road is typically open. Beartooth Highway Tours This guide covers road trip routes, essential information about how and where to rent a car, where to stay, and more. You can see where the rock slides have been as well to do be careful on your drive! The 69-mile highway winds and climbs to more than 10,000 feet above sea level to reach Beartooth Pass.The road passes through alpine forest and arctic tundra, is full of sheer drop-offs, and delivers . The Pollard Hotel Red Lodge $$$ Beginners should be wary of the altitude and be sure to take plenty of water along with them. Busses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust This is where the Beartooth Highway starts or ends depending on which direction you drive. Last Resort Lodge Red Lodge Area $$$$ The Beartooth Cafe and Buns N Beds offer standard American food. It is 25 miles from Cooke City and 38 miles from Red Lodge. There are several trailheads nearby includingLake Fork Trail,Parkside Trail, andHellroaring Plateau Trail. Expect road closures when the weather conditions start to head into winter. Pack a lunch; grab a camera; and enjoy a driving experience like no other! Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Planner. Past here, lodgings are limited to campgrounds and the occasional cabin until you reach the Red Lodge area. Every room has a mountain view, it has a large living area with a wood-burning stove, and the open kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. For information on individual campgrounds and what they offer and require visit here. Because of its high altitude and the areas snowy conditions the road is only open for short time during summer. Put simply, yes, there have been a number of Beartooth highway deaths. Cooke City is a historic mountain town located at the northern end of the Beartooth Highway. Season: Early May to Late September GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Glacier National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. Campsites: 21 Thanks Laci. These paths became popular with settlers, fur trappers, and loggers in particular. The highway is known for its winding, narrow roads and steep grades, so its definitely not for the faint of heart. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Love this post as a Non-American I get to see and travel through others! Trees and shrubs have disappeared and the landscape is a lot more barren. The Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower offers stunning views of the mountains and valleys, making it a must-see destination for anyone driving this scenic road. At this point, you are at 9,190 feet and already 21 miles from Red Lodge. Season: Mid-July to Labor Day Watch for water ouzel darting in and out of streams. Its hard to see it in this photo, but Bears Tooth is the tiny pyramidal-shaped spire located in between the two posts. His first love is coffee, with travel a close 2nd. Always check the road conditions before your trip just in case of road closures caused by snow, heavy rain, mudslides, or construction. I was sad I couldn't get a clear view of Beartooth mountain until later on in my drive but if you are lucky this is where you will get an up-close shot of the mountain that the highway takes its name from. The Beartooth Highway is typically open from late May to mid October, depending on the weather. Before starting your drive along the Beartooth Highway, it is worth your while to explore Red Lodge, Montana. Want more information on Montana or Wyoming? Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. At 7,600 feet, Cooke City lies 4 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. Facilities: Fire grates, picnic tables, garbage pick-up, potable water, toilets This post may contain affiliate or referral links. This is a beautiful part of the drive. The spectacle of Rock Creek Canyon unfolds as you weave along the pass toward Red Lodge, Montana. Lower Lady of the Lake Trailhead Join our travel community and get weekly updates with travel tips, locations, and freebies. Its highway designation is US 212 and it is a designated All-American Road. Shops and restaurants of all kinds line the towns vibrant Main Street. We drove past the bridge in October 2021 and it was nowhere near being completed. From this trail, you get to see incredible alpine vistas, forests, and meadows. Hike like a pro: Get an AllTrails Pro membership! Unlike the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you do not need a reservation or a ticket to drive on Beartooth Highway. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There are plenty of things to see and do along the Beartooth Highway. The Beartooth Highway straddles the border between Montana and Wyoming, where some of the road is in Montana, and some of it is in Wyoming. Fees: $17/night Yellowstone Touring Company The Alpine Lakes are nestled in the mountains and surrounded by alpine meadows, making them a great place to take in the breathtaking scenery of the region. Originally founded in 1975 by husband and wife team Dr. Harold and Marjorie Woodman, the Cooke City Montana Museum is currently managed by their daughter, Kay Woodman. Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. On average, it takes two and a half hours to three hours to drive Beartooth Highway. While tickets can be purchased online, it is worth buying them in person, at their mobile offices a trailer parked at the top of the lift (cash or check only). Discovering Montana is a resource for those living and visiting the Treasure State. Various accommodations dot the town, with motels, hotels and guest ranches offering a plethora of options. In the bar, youll find top-shelf spirits and craft beers, while the cafe serves up hand-tossed pizzas and other fare made from local ingredients. The byway is also a great place to stop and take a break from the road, with several pullouts and picnic areas available. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Which spot do you plan on stopping to see some incredible views of Yellowstone? There are also several campgrounds located in the surrounding area, including the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area and the Rock Creek Lodge & Cabins. Heres a brief rundown of the major points and things to note before your visit. It is 68 miles long. Theres also a snowmobile road that begins here and connects to Cooke City. This is a small, remote, and picturesque picnic area with a scenic view of the Beartooth Mountain Range. Check below for a few choice activities in Silver Gate (and Cooke City following,) but you can also peruse the Cooke City/Colter Pass/Silver Gate Chamber of Commerce sitefor even more information about local tourist attractions and events happening in the area. If youre beginning in Red Lodge and traveling to Yellowstone, you can simply follow the guide in reverse. Be sure to pick up a few olden days postcards. This drive is absolutely spectacular. Their tourism outfit utilizes an original bright yellow, fully restored 1937 Model 706 Yellowstone National Park Bus to take groups of up to 10 people along Beartooth Highway. Typically, opens right around Memorial Day. Wear your national parks love: National parks apparel, Youll need to enter: National parks pass , Document your trip: National parks journal , Wear your national parks love: National parks apparel. He loves nothing more than hitting the road in his self-build campervan and visiting off-the-beaten-path places, away from popular tourist destinations. It is a maintained road and is open all year. It starts in Red Lodge, Montana and ends at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. From parts of Custer and Shoshone National Forests to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, passers through have endless natural landscape to explore. You just have to snowmobile there. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. This small, pyramidal rock is what gives the Beartooth Mountains its name. In addition to its geological attractions, Yellowstone is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including bison, elk, bears, and wolves. Make sure to include a visit to this overlook on your journey along the Beartooth Highway. Wilderness, mountain landscapes, and heavily-forested areas await you on this scenic road trip. It is also called Beartooth National Scenic Byway, Beartooth All-American Road, Highway 212, and the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway. Open to hard-sided camping only, like trailers and RVs. FAQs About Beartooth Highway The sign is a popular spot for tourists to take a photo, and its also a good place to get information about the road and the surrounding area. I recommend booking a rental car from Billings for this trip! Driving south from Red Lodge, MT, the highway enters the Custer Gallatin National forest and climbs the switchbacks to the Montana/Wyoming state line. It takes about two hours to complete the entire drive, but most tourists make at least a couple of stops along the way. Related:Top 10 Things to See at Big Horn County Museum Hardin Montana. Suitable for tents and RVs up to 40 ft. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. 7 Miles (110.6 km) long. We unfortunately did not have time to drive Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, which I have also heard is very nice. The pass reaches the highest point of 10,947 feet and is known for its stunning views and rugged terrain. Stepping out of the car and taking in the view of the infamous Bear's Tooth and seeing the numerous lakes that dot the landscape really paint the possibility of what the fishing can behold on the highway and beyond. Theres a lot to do along Beartooth Highway, and many folks decide to stay the night either at one of the ends or somewhere along the way. Bison, elk, pronghorn, and moose are often visible with the naked eye from the roadway. Originally constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), it is situated in the Clarks Fork Valley and has been designated as a historic site by the National Park Service. Bears Tooth Managing several sites in the region, you can find information about the Abaroska Wilderness and Beartooth Highway at the Beartooth Ranger Station. Its known for its historic main street, which is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and galleries. Just beyond this entrance lies Lamar Valley, one of the best places in the park for wildlife viewing. When is the Beartooth Highway open? Visit www.recreation.gov to check whats required and make sure to reserve space when possible. The title comes from a Crow Indian word Na Piet Say, which means the bears tooth referring to a sharp rock formation that sticks up out of the plateau toward the roads summit. Please take extra care when traveling along Beartooth Highway, and be sure to follow all published road signs as well as the direction of the National Parks Service. Construction began in 2020 and was planned to be completed by September 9, 2021. They have free wifi, parking, breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Beartooth Lake Campground Starting in Red Lodge, at 5,500 feet, it climbs up to Beartooth Pass, topping out at 10,947 feet. The highway's summit is over 10,000 feet elevation. Beartooth Highway Camping Facilities: Fire rings, picnic tables, toilets, potable water, firewood for purchase Related:14 Amazing Free Things to do in Billings MT. Yellowstone National Park is a must-see destination for anyone driving through the Beartooth Pass. The view from Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook (aka Yellowstone Overlook). Most animals living in alpine environments respond to cold weather by either moving or hibernating. Beartooth Pass This 68-mile, scenic section of U.S. Route 212 zigzags along the Montana-Wyoming border connecting the parks northeast entrance community of Cooke City, Montana, to Red Lodge, Montana, in a series of steep and thrilling switchbacks. Heres a quick glance at some of the things you wont want to miss just off of Beartooth Highway. The tower is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to see the landscape from a different perspective. The Yellowstone Preservation Trust Montana is a statewide nonprofit organization that preserves and restores the natural beauty of Montana. Its the best place in town to buy your fishing license but they only accept cash or check. Its open year-round and offers free Wi-Fi, free continental breakfast, and a heated, outdoor pool. - Camping at one of the many developed campsites along the Beartooth Highway offers an opportunity to spend the night outside and feel the intimacy of sleeping out in nature. So do it before you start the highway and every chance you get. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The name was taken from a former hunting lodge once used by James J. Hill and other railroad executives during their visits to the area. Related:Ultimate Guide to Little Bighorn Battlefield. Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. But when mining operations began to dominate the nearby counties is when local entrepreneurs began to realize how lucrative a paved road across the Beartooth Range could be to transport mining supplies and ore. Pikas do neither. A short series of switchbacks brings you to a plateau that is filled with alpine lakes. Signs along the drive tell the tale of the flight of Chief Josephs band of Nez Perce. There are a few interpretive displays here that explain some of the history and geology of the area. Once youve acquired said documentation, head out of Cooke City, away from Yellowstone, and keep your eyes open for any pull out along the river. Since its completion in 1936, the Highway has awed millions of visitors with its astonishing views of one of the most rugged and wild areas in the lower 48 states. While the Beartooth Highway is generally safe for most motorists, you should be prepared for inclement weather even in the summer. Is it safe to drive Beartooth Highway? Campsites: 6 Beartooth Lake BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR FOR THE BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY HERE. Bring Hand Sanitizer All the bathrooms I found along the highway were no more than a little room with a hole in the ground and no sinks. Will is a true digital nomad, taking his work on the road at every opportunity. Various lakes, such as Beauty and Becker, are perfect picnic destinations, reachable on relatively flat ground. Though it was no small feat to build it is regularly called a marvel of engineering it miraculously took only half of the time and original budget that its construction was planned to consume. All nine trails, accessible from two high speed lifts, are quite steep, designed for well-practiced skiers but offer spectacular views and snow that hasnt seen traffic all winter. There are so many unnamed stops along the Beartooth Highway that have amazing views and are worth the stop. They have a variety of menu items including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, but folks always return for their famous lumberjack-style breakfasts like the fried trout or their extra-fluffy pancakes made from Hannahs original depression-era secret recipe. Nonetheless, its completion in 1936 was heralded as a massive achievement for the state of Montana and was eventually added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2014. You can hike the. You will be absolutely amazed by the mountains and high elevation lakes that you'll see along the way. A 420 foot long bridge is being erected over Beartooth Ravine. The higher you go, the better the views. If you have timeyou could take a stroll through Cooke Citys historic district, or hit up one of the many local trailheads to embark on an epic hike. Fees: $15/night In Red Lodge, Montana, the town at the southern end of the highway, there are a number of hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and vacation rentals available. It was founded as a mining camp and is now a haven for tourists, with restaurants, souvenir shops, and lodging. Planning on driving the Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming? Yes, it is labeled as one of the most dangerous roads in America because of the climb and switchback. Best Way to Spend One Day in Yellowstone. Join my free Facebook community where we chat and share information about national parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more! We drove about 70 miles to get out of the park onto the Beartooth Highway and then, at least, another 70 miles to Red Lodge, Montana. A classic American roadhouse with a fine-dining twist, the Carbon County Steakhouse is renowned for its attention to detail and exceptional menu. The name was taken from a former hunting lodge once used by James J. Hill and other railroad executives during their visits to the area. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. Suitable for tents and RVs up to 40 ft. If you plan on visiting Montana or Wyoming and you are driving through, then you are going to want to make sure to include the Beartooth Highway on your list of things to do in Montana. Stop the Car Trading Post Always check the road conditions before your trip just in case of road closures caused by snow, heavy rain, mudslides, or construction. Document your trip: National parks journal Bears, wolves, and other predators are often visible from a distance. Theres also plenty of parking at this pitstop. The route peaks at the Beartooth Passat nearly 11,000 feet and offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains before beginning its sharp descent. 216 Park Street | PO Box 81 | Gardiner, MT 59030 | 406.848.7971 | [emailprotected], How to Plan the Ultimate Yellowstone Family Vacation, Yellowstone Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery, Basking in the Beartooths on the Beartooth Scenic Highway, Signup for our Quarterly Travel Newsletter. Fees: $20/night The viewpoint owes its name to the nearby Rock Creek stream. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. If youre visiting during mid-July, keep your eyes out for alpine flowers and other wildflowers in the prairies. This is why you must take your time. Leave your car in park as you head out on the many trails that take you further into the Beartooth-Absaroka wilderness. Facilities: Fire grates, picnic tables, garbage pick-up, potable water It connects Cody, Wyoming with Beartooth Highway; the junction is just after the turnoff for Crazy Creek Falls. They also provide a visitors guide that includes a map of the town, information on lodging, dining, and shopping options, as well as scenic drives in the area. A beloved Cooke City institution, the Beartooth Cafe specializes in steaks and smoked trout, though they have a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites.
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