Beartooth Highway Pass & Mountains

The Beartooth Scenic Highway is considered one of America's most breathtaking drives. This section of US Hwy 212 stretches 65 miles from Red Lodge, Montana to Cooke City, Montana and crosses some of the highest elevations in both Wyoming and Montana accessible to motorized vehicles. You won't want to be in a rush when taking this drive because natural beauty lurks around every corner. The drive takes 2-3 hours. The highway is open from around Memorial Day through mid-October when the road is free of snow and ice.

The Beartooth Scenic Highway is considered an incredible engineering feat. Construction of the highway began in 1931 and lasted for five years. The idea for the highway came about when the coal mining industry of the area started to dwindle. Locals wanted to build the high mountain highway in order to attract tourists to the territory. Congress supplied the 2.5 million dollars need to build the road. The plan was successful--every summer thousands of tourists are attracted to the famous drive.

Along the 65 miles drive you'll encounter sinuous hairpin curves, high mountain vistas, granite cliffs, wildflowers, waterfalls and alpine lakes. Some highlights include the Beartooth Plateau, Clarks Fork Valley, Granite Peak (Montana's highest peak), and views of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Don't forget to look out for wildlife. The area is home to bighorn sheep, deer and elk who are known to unexpectedly cross the road.

There are many campgrounds along the highway if you wish to take time to savor the great outdoors. If you choose to camp, there are several dayhiking options available. The Beartooth High Lakes make an excellent dayhike adventure. Most of the trailheads start at campgrounds, so keep your eyes peeled. When camping and hiking, remember that you are in grizzly country. Keep your camp area clean and lock up all food in bear-proof boxes or in your car.

Many tourists who take the adventurous drive claim that there is a dearth of road signs. Make sure you have updated maps with you. Also keep in mind that full services are available only in Red Lodge, Cooke City, and Silver Gate. The town of Top of the World has a small store that is a popular stop for cyclists. The store is open from May through October when the highway is open, and then opens on the weekends from January through March to serve snowmobilers.

It is best to drive a passenger car or a mini-van across this mountain highway. It is possible to take a motorhome or trailer although it is not enjoyable as the turns are sharp, steep, and sudden. If you are driving a slow moving vehicle, pull over occasionally to let faster cars pass. Also remember to protect your brakes and downshift to lower gears.

For current updates and information, visit Friends of the Beartooth All-American Road.