This Montana Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime
Since opening in 1936, the Beartooth Highway has allowed millions of people to experience its awe-inspiring mountain scenes. Spanning sections of Montana and Wyoming’s Beartooth Range, this Northern Rocky Mountain road is considered one of the most beautiful drives in North America. Peaking at 10,947 feet above sea level, the scenic byway is the highest highway in the Northern Rockies, boasting spectacular scenery and dramatic vistas.
The drive spotlights glacial lakes, alpine tundras, sweeping valleys, and seasonal wildlife, from mountain goats to the mighty grizzly. With Yellowstone National Park as a grand finale, this Montana scenic byway is the road trip of a lifetime. Below is an itinerary for making the most of this beautiful trip to see the best of Montana and Wyoming's lakes, waterfalls, and iconic scenic stops.
Directions, Cost, & Time To Drive
The Beartooth Highway stretches 68 miles through the Beartooth Mountains in Montana and Wyoming. The drive begins in the Montana town of Red Lodge and ends at the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. As a public road, this scenic byway is free of fees, making it an epic way to see the mountains for just the price of gas.
With that said, if you plan on using the road as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the usual park entrance fee or National Park Pass is required. As for the time needed for this scenic drive, the Federal Highway Administration estimates 2 hours if you pass straight through, or 3-plus hours if you plan to stop along the way. The highway’s switchbacks and landmarks are highly recommended, granting road trippers awe-inspiring sights and experiences.
When Is The Beartooth Highway Open?
As with many mountain byways, the Beartooth Highway is open seasonally, with dates dependent on weather conditions. Generally, the road is open from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, although unpredictable weather can lead to temporary closures. For this reason, it is highly recommended to check for closures ahead of time, even during the summer months. The Montana Department of Transportation undertakes the massive task of clearing roads of snow, making it the best source for updates.
Top Points Of Interest Along Beartooth Highway
Rock Creek Vista Point
Starting from Red Lodge, the first must-visit stop is about 21 miles along the highway. The Rock Creek Vista Point, perched at 9,199 feet, is considered by many to be the road’s first pullout point, and the views are absolutely sublime. Once you stop at the sign, the parking area is near public restrooms, followed by a short, wheelchair-accessible trail leading to the overlook. Here, travellers can marvel at sweeping views of the Rock Creek Canyon, Hellroaring Plateau, and Beartooth Mountains, paired with interpretive signs. Herds of bison and elk may also be spotted, along with the occasional black bear or grizzly.
Top of the World Store
The Top of the World Store is a popular layover for Beartooth road trippers, whether refuelling, stopping for a restroom, or shopping for souvenirs. Originally built along Beartooth Lake in 1934, the landmark was moved to its current setting in the 1960s. Today, the store sits at an elevation of 9,400 feet in Cody, Wyoming, not far from the top of Beartooth Pass. Housed in a rustic, wood cabin-style building, the historic general store sells a range of snacks, drinks, and Beartooth-themed keepsakes. It is also well-stocked with practical essentials, including gas and camping supplies.
Gardner Lake Pullout and Trailhead
The Gardner Lake Pullout is another sightseeing stop along the highway, coupled with a spellbinding hiking trail. The pullout is perched at 10,536 feet, offering breathtaking views of the lake below. It also serves as the Gardner Lake Trailhead for those seeking a better view. The 1.6-mile out-and-back hike offers a closer look at the shimmering alpine waters, with a 574-foot elevation gain upon return. Hikers can also see wildflowers, which peak around mid-July, and views of the iconic Bear’s Tooth landmark. Named for its distinctive beartooth shape, the towering rock spire is the highway's namesake, making it a must-see sight.
Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area
If you’ve ever dreamt of skiing in June, the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area is a legendary fixture of its name-sharing highway. Situated at 9,900 feet with a summit elevation of 10,900 feet, the unique ski spot generally opens in May and closes for the season in early July, depending on weather conditions. Located in the Shoshone National Forest, the alpine oddity features 9 ski runs, 2 Poma lifts, and 3,000 feet of terrain when snow levels are up to par. Keep in mind, the slopes here are very steep, ideal for experienced skiers and snowboarders. The area also adopts a more minimalist approach, lacking a base lodge or on-site gear rental, although Red Lodge offers rental services, such as The Ski Station.
Beartooth Lake
Beartooth Lake is visible from the highway, but this alpine wonder is well worth the stop. The 110-acre lake is another shining gem of the Shoshone National Forest, with plenty of ways to savor its beauty. It is one of six alpine lakes on the Beartooth Lakes Loop, an 8-mile hiking trail that passes through wildflower meadows. Backed by the towering Beartooth Butte, Beartooth Lake is also a popular spot to enjoy lunch with a view at the Beartooth Recreation Picnic Area.
Lake recreation is yet another reason to make this renowned road trip pitstop. Visitors can hike Beartooth’s shores, paddle from its boat launch, and fish its trout-stocked waters. Back on land, the Beartooth Lake Campground also offers a cozy way to extend your road trip adventure, with 21 sites available for tents, RVs, and trailers.
Alpine Waterfalls
There are countless cascades along the Beartooth Highway, each paired with stunning natural surroundings. For a follow-up to Beartooth Lake, its namesake waterfall flows nearby. Near Beartooth Lake and surrounded by pine-dotted mountains, the outlet flows beneath a historic 1930s bridge before forming Beartooth Falls, which drops about 80 feet.
For a lower-elevation cascade, Lake Creek Falls sits at 7,329 feet, near a pedestrian bridge with show-stopping views. Equally breathtaking, views of Crazy Creek Falls can be savored at the Crazy Creek Campground, boasting a powerful 30-foot wide spill down a granite slope.
A Rocky Mountain Road Trip Of A Lifetime
Carved through a vast and dramatic alpine wilderness, the Beartooth Highway is a beautiful way to see a multitude of mountain scenes right from your car. For immersive sights and experiences, the byway is also lined with striking pullouts and recreation sites, from the Rock Creek Vista Point to the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area. But whether you drive straight through, stop for a hike, or set up camp along the way, this Montana scenic byway is the ultimate road trip route for wanderlusts whose hearts live in the mountains.
