8 Scenic Road Trip Stops Along Beartooth Highway
The Beartooth Highway is a 69-mile stretch of US Route 212. It was completed in 1936 and opened to the public the following year. Since then, Americans and tourists simply cannot get enough of what is called ‘the most beautiful mountain drive in America.’ The highway takes drivers from Red Lodge, Montana, through the Custer Gallatin National Forest, climbs to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass, and then descends towards the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Along the way, there are gorgeous stops and lookouts, as well as plenty of opportunities to hike or camp. Given the elevation and northern location, this route typically closes in the winter and is not accessible year-round. If you have never taken this highway or want to experience it again after a long time, the following road trip stops make the trip.
Red Lodge
You can start the Beartooth Highway either in Cooke City or Red Lodge, Montana, so it is a little bit of a cheat to say these towns are a scenic stop, but if you start from the Red Lodge side, you should definitely take time to explore before you head out on the highway. If you visit during the summer, you can hike to Basin Lake or catch a chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain Resort to admire the views from above. There are lots of trails for mountain biking, and you can even do a bit of fishing in Rock Creek. Should you arrive in autumn, you will be immersed in fall foliage shimmering in gold, orange, and red. The wonderful views of the color-changing aspen and cottonwood trees will put you in just the right mood to drive the Beartooth Highway for even more panoramic views of fall landscapes.
Rock Creek Vista
If you plan to pull off the highway only once or twice during your drive, make sure one of those stops is at Rock Creek Vista. This viewpoint is just 20 miles from Red Lodge and offers incredible views of Rock Creek Valley and the Hellroaring Plateau. It is also a great stop for selfies, since it is easily accessible from the highway. Keep in mind you are in bear country, so be on the lookout for them, as well as for herds of elk and bison. You can also follow the short interpretive trail here and use the available restrooms before continuing your journey. At the lookout point, you are already 9,190 feet above sea level, and as you carry on along the Beartooth, you will climb a further 1,700 feet, give or take, to eventually reach the highest point of the drive.
Beartooth Lake
The next stop worth exploring is Beartooth Lake in Wyoming, another 20 miles from Rock Creek Vista. You can see the lake from the highway, and the turn is easy to spot. Aside from the lake, there is also a US Forest Service Campground that works on a first-come, first-served basis, and it fills up quickly in summer. If you don't make it in time to get a spot, you can still explore the area by taking the trailhead that leads to the Beartooth Plateau backcountry, or you can get out on the lake in a boat and cast a line for rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. Across the lake, you will see Beartooth Butte, a sedimentary rock formation filled with Devonian-period fossils.
Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area
If you are up for summer skiing, pull over at the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area, just a few miles away from the lake. This place is the only summer-only ski area in America, open from May to July or until the snow melts. It is also one of the oldest alpine ski areas and lies near the summit of Beartooth Pass. There is no coffee place or lodge here. It is a bare-bones operation for those who want to enjoy the Poma lifts and nothing more. You can get full-day tickets or a season pass on the Beartooth Basin website or at the on-site ticket office. Keep in mind that the ski area is not for beginners, and they only take cash or cheque at the hill.
Beartooth Pass
After your ski adventure, head back out on the highway for the final climb to Beartooth Pass. The pass is the highest point on the highway, and there is a pullout where you can stop and get out of the car. From this vantage point, you will have 360° views of alpine tundra, jagged peaks, and mountain vistas. It is an excellent stop for photos or just to take in the spectacular surroundings, but weather conditions can be harsh at this elevation, so expect anything from snow patches to rain or strong winds. If the weather is good, you can explore the interpretive spots around the summit and walk on the tundra. You won't want to stay for long, however. Spend a few minutes taking in the views and snapping photos, then move on to the Top of the World Store.
Top of the World Store
The Top of the World Store is a few miles west of the summit and stands alone on its own part of the highway. This charming little shop is the only place to stop on the Beartooth Highway for gas and snacks. It once stood on Beartooth Lake but was moved to its current location in the early 1960s. Behind the store is the Shoshone National Forest, where you can spend a couple of hours hiking or fishing. When the highway closes for winter, you can still go ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling here, as the store and forest are accessible via the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, which connects from Cooke City.
Clay Butte Lookout
If you are up for a little detour, just a few miles off the main highway leads to the Clay Butte Fire Lookout. This compact historic fire tower was built during the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and sits above the treeline. It offers a magnificent, elevated perspective on the Absaroka Range and the Beartooth Mountain plateaus. The lookout is part of the Clarks Fork Ranger District, which is flanked by Montana and Yellowstone. There are interpretative signs and displays that offer information about the site, the building, and the history of wildfire management in the US. There are also two Osborne Fire Finders, devices used in fire lookout towers to determine the location of wildfires and alert firefighters.
Cooke City and Silver Gate
As you drive the last few miles of the Beartooth Highway, you will reach Cooke City and Silver Gate at its western end. These two small towns are only three miles apart, and both are gateways to Yellowstone. There is a lot to see and do before you get to the park, including stopping at the Cooke City Montana Museum. There are engaging exhibits here that tell the story of Cooke City and Silver Gate, as well as information about the Beartooth Highway, Colter Pass, and the historic local mining industry. You can have a pizza and craft beer at Miners Saloon in Cooke City before heading to Silver Gate to stock up on snacks at the general store on your way into the park.
A Drive That Stays With You
A Beartooth Highway road trip is not just another detour through America’s most beautiful landscapes. It is a road that reveals the beauty to you, one steep climb or hairpin turn at a time. As you drive, you will see the weather shift over the alpine plateaus. If the sun beats down on your car, you can stop and take a walk through the forest for shade or cool off in Beartooth Lake. Wherever you choose to pull over, something will catch your eye and you will feel drawn to go where a trail takes you. There is no need to rush on this scenic drive. Slow down the pace, take in your surroundings, and when you get to the end, you will take a bit of the road with you, whether it's a new sense of wide-open spaces or just a wonderful memory of a trip that felt amazing from start to finish.
