Or, bring your fishing rod and enjoy an afternoon exploring the regions pristine lakes. The Beartooth Highway is one of the most spectacular scenic drives we have done in the USA, rivaling Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Big Sur Coast Highway in California. The Beartooth Mountains are located in south central Montana and northwest Wyoming, U.S. and are part of the 944,000 acres (382,000 ha) Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, within Custer, Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests.The Beartooths are the location of Granite Peak, which at 12,807 feet (3,904 m) is the highest point in the state of Montana.The mountains are just northeast of Yellowstone . Finally, if you are traveling as a family, here are the best parks to visit with kids. 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. A classic American roadhouse with a fine-dining twist, the Carbon County Steakhouse is renowned for its attention to detail and exceptional menu. It starts in Red Lodge, Montana and ends at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. The Yellowstone Forever store in Gardiner sells binoculars and spotting scopes for better wildlife viewing and has an interactive map showing recent sightings. Curious onlookers lined the road as the animals sheepishly entered the highway, guided by ranchers and steered by sheepdogs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Clarks Fork Picnic Area Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile road that runs along the border of Montana and Wyoming, connecting the towns of Red Lodge and Cooke City. Remember to use pullouts when viewing wildlife and to maintain a safe distance to protect yourself and the animals. You can also call the Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce at 406-446-1718 for current conditions. Here youll find plenty of snacks and souvenirs, and maybe even a few tips on the best places to see in the area. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Julie Last updated: January 22, 2023 United States 5 Comments. Silver Gate Lodging Silver Gate $$ At this point, you are 38 miles from Red Lodge and 25 miles from Cooke City. Campsites: 21 There are a few interpretive displays here that explain some of the history and geology of the area. This is why you must take your time. It's really a wonderful scenic drive that is well worth the extra time to take. At its summit, the road reaches 10,947 feet, making it the highest US road when it was first opened, on June 14th, 1936. In the bar, youll find top-shelf spirits and craft beers, while the cafe serves up hand-tossed pizzas and other fare made from local ingredients. In the winter, Beartooth Basin transforms into a winter wonderland, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling available. Because a railway proved unrealistic, it wasnt until the rise of the automobile in the late 1920s that the communities finally saw a potential and began lobbying for the creation of a road system. It took us just under 3 hours and we stopped frequently for photos. Here at this rest area, you will find jaw-dropping views of. Best Guide to Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass [2023] - America's most scenic drive Explore the scenic 63 mile Beartooth Highway - the 10,947 ft Beartooth Pass, views of the Beartooth Plateau, high mountain lakes, hiking, camping Skip to the content Search MontanaHikes.com Hiking, Camping and Exploring Montana Menu Menu Search Search for: Season: Mid-July to Labor Day The Pollard Hotel Red Lodge $$$ The highest elevation is 10,947 ft (3,337 m) above sea level, and the highway is 68. Part of route 212 in Montana and Wyoming, the Beartooth Highway runs between Red Lodge and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. What is the Beartooth Highway called? The Beartooth Bridge, Falls, and Ravine is also a nice spot to get out of the car and do some exploring. Made from unstable rock, you cant hike to the top of either; but one can, if feeling adventurous and in possession of great orienteering skills, climb to the saddle (youll need 2 cars, as it is not a loop, and at least 12 hours). Cooke City is a historic mountain town located at the northern end of the Beartooth Highway. lovely indoor swimming pool- A recent guestGuest Reviews Its known for its historic main street, which is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and galleries. From there, just follow the signs to Red Lodge and youll be on your way to experiencing arguably the most beautiful drive in the country. Fill up the Gas Tank The same way there are few places to stop to eat and drink, there are just a few to fill up with gas. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. be sure to stop and take a photo with the welcome sign before you begin your journey. Campsites: 16 Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area As you drive farther along Beartooth Highway, the views will get even better, but this overlook is still well worth the stop. Electric sites are available for compatible RVs. Beartooth Highway is a section of US Route 212 that connects Red Lodge, Montana with Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana. Theres also a gazebo with a fishing pond and the nearby Blackfoot River that attract many anglers. Its open year-round and offers free Wi-Fi, free continental breakfast, and a heated, outdoor pool. It takes about two hours to complete the entire drive, but most tourists make at least a couple of stops along the way. Recommended day pack: Osprey Daylite Pack 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. Technically driving the Beartooth Highway takes only 2 hours, door to door. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad745959d4cfc18c5b1397faea80cd04" );document.getElementById("a590a7590e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How Long Does It Take to Drive Beartooth Highway? Visit www.recreation.gov to check whats required and make sure to reserve space when possible. A fire station that sits within the Shoshone National Forest and Absaroka Mountains, you can climb the tower for a spectacular vista and, if youre lucky, chat with a ranger who is in residence. The scenic drive along the highway takes about two to three hours to complete, but with all the stunning scenery along the way, youll probably want to take your time and stop at the various overlooks and pull-offs to take in the views. Sites range in size up to 32 ft long to accommodate RVs, tent campers are also welcome. His first love is coffee, with travel a close 2nd. Soda Butte Campground Covering 68 miles from Red Lodge, Montana to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, it brings visitors into and through absolutely untouched wilderness. Check out these articles: Alex on the Map offers outdoor, hiking, and national park tips and info in order to make getting outside accessible. About six miles after the Beartooth Highway crosses into Wyoming is the Crazy Creek Falls trailhead. Just make sure your dates of travel are from June through early October, when this road is typically open. Construction of the highway began in 1932 and was completed June 14, 1936. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Colter Campground Once youre in the park, cell phone and wifi access is limited, so write down directions in advance if you think youll need them. While driving on the Wyoming side of the Beartooth Highway you will be in the Shoshone National Forest. Related:Top 10 Places to Eat Restaurant Guide Billings MT. It passes through theGallatin, Shoshone, and Custer National Forests. The accommodation includes cabins, a bunkhouse, and RV sites for those looking for an overnight stay near the park entrance. The 45th Parallel is a line of latitude that runs halfway between the North Pole and the equator, and its marked by a sign on the highway. The Alpine Motel of Cooke City Montana, located at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a family-owned motel. 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. Other recommended restaurants are Carbon County Steakhouse, Piccola Cucina at Ox Pasture (Italian), Mas Taco, and Red Lodge Pizza Company. En route, travelers certainly appreciate the views and marvel at its construction. The Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook along the Beartooth Highway in Montana offers breathtaking views of Pilot and Index Peaks, as well as the surrounding mountains and valleys. Every Memorial Day weekend there is a celebration here to mark the opening of the highway again for the summer. It is 25 miles from Cooke City and 38 miles from Red Lodge. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Sites are suitable for tent camping or boondocking. Suitable for tents and RVs up to 20 ft. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, 16 Things to Know Before You Travel to Bhutan, Four Seasons Lanai: 11 Ways to Have the Best Stay, Your Ultimate Guide to the Beartooth Highway, Endless Activities at the End of the World, The Anniversary of New Zealand Adrenaline, The Blind Massage: A Twist on the Southeast Asian Spa Experience. 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. It connects Cody, Wyoming with Beartooth Highway; the junction is just after the turnoff for Crazy Creek Falls. This gives you time for stops at scenic overlooks along the drive. Here youll exit through the parks northeast station and pass through the communities of Silvergate and Cooke City, Montana, where gas and other services are available. A Oleksandr Mazurchak. The Beartooth Highway is known for its stunning scenery and rugged terrain, and the 45th Parallel Crossing is a fitting milestone along the way. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Welcome to Montana Sign You never know. This is one of those Montana road trips that everyone should do at least . It is also called Beartooth National Scenic Byway, Beartooth All-American Road, Highway 212, and the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway. You will cross the 45th parallel, which is the halfway point between the North Pole and the equator. 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 . Part classic Montana tavern, part package store, part cafe, Miners Saloon is a historic landmark in Cooke City, Montana. Theres a turn-off with a small parking lot and rest area if you care to take in the view. Related:Ultimate Guide to Little Bighorn Battlefield. The accommodation includes cabins, a bunkhouse, and RV sites for those looking for an overnight stay near the park entrance. 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. To check current road conditions click here. The Beartooth Highway is a breathtaking scenic drive that winds through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. On the west corner of the Beartooth Highway, you will find a lot of information about early mining history and the Beartooth Mountains to introduce you to the region. Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Cooke City/Colter Pass/Silver Gate Chamber of Commerce site, US Forest Service Beartooth Ranger Station. There are three main exhibits: Cooke City Memories, Cooke City Ghost Town,and Cooke City Mining. Crazy Creek Falls 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. These are a number of places to stop while visiting along the Beartooth Highway. And what an awesome way to enter Yellowstone National Park. Here at this rest area, you will find jaw-dropping views of Rock Creek Canyon and an easily accessed trail that is wheelchair friendly. Just beyond this entrance lies Lamar Valley, one of the best places in the park for wildlife viewing. Heres a brief rundown of the major points and things to note before your visit. Open to hard-sided camping only, like trailers and RVs. While it can be completed in a handful of hours, it is worth your time to take time and truly experience all thats available along the way. YELLOWSTONE PARK ITINERARY: Take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Yellowstone with our Yellowstone Itinerary Planner. 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! 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. The Beartooth Basin Ski Area is Montanas only ski park thats not open in the winter. Brings back memories. Beartooth Highway is typically open from Memorial Day through early October. Do not try to traverse the highway at times when the National Parks Service has deemed it unsafe. If youre planning on visiting the Beartooth Highway, Beartooth Basin is a must-see destination! BEST BUDGET HOTELSilver Gate LodgingBarTea/Coffee Maker In All RoomsPatio With a River ViewCHECK BEST PRICELoved the cozy cabin that was furnished with a kitchen area and a bathroom with a shower- A recent guestGuest ReviewsBEST OVERALL The Pollard HotelFitness CentreSaunaBarCHECK BEST PRICEWell located and an excellent breakfast, a charming hotel- A recent guestGuest ReviewsBEST FOR FAMILIESBeartooth Hideaway Inn & CabinsSwimming PoolFree WiFiTea/Coffee Maker In All RoomsCHECK BEST PRICESpacious room with comfortable beds. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It is sometimes called the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway because of the two cities it connects. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Bison, elk, pronghorn, and moose are often visible with the naked eye from the roadway. The Log Cabin Cafe The park is known for its geysers, including the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, as well as its stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers. The Last Resort Lodge is a historic motel originally built in the 1950s. Some accept advance reservations. Bannock Trailhead National park essentialsYoull need to enter: National parks pass Well now Im really excited to get out there! Unlike the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you do not need a reservation or a ticket to drive on Beartooth Highway. It is a maintained road and is open all year. Though Cooke City is a small town with a population of only around 250, its considerably larger than the tiny community of Silver Gate and has a considerable amount of infrastructure for visitors. They have free wifi, parking, breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. It also offers opportunities for exploring geological features, such as rock formations and fossil deposits. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. Mountain goats, lions, moose, bears, and wolves are among the wildlife you will encounter on your journey. There are also several campgrounds located in the surrounding area, including the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area and the Rock Creek Lodge & Cabins. For information on individual campgrounds and what they offer and require visit here. It's also one of the most dangerous routes. Keep in mind that even during the open season, the weather on the Beartooth Highway can be unpredictable and its important to be prepared for any conditions, including strong winds and severe thunderstorms. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Yellowstone Overlook 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. 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. The project begins at the west end of the Beartooth Highway Lake Bridge and proceeds westward for approximately of a mile. Originally built in 1932, the Elk Horn Lodge has seen many renovations, and offers many amenities such as an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, and game room. Can't wait to connect with you! In a Facebook post, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) said crews used a snowblower and a snowcat to clear the highway. Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. For this post, I started my drive in Yellowstone so if you starting in Red Lodge read from the bottom up! Hellroaring Plateau is the mountain range on the opposite side of Rock Creek Canyon. Fox Creek Campground The lodge offers a variety of accommodations including cabins, campsites, and RV sites, with linens and showers available. Blog. The tower is open to the public and offers a unique opportunity to see the landscape from a different perspective. Instead of using your own car to complete the drive yourself, you can hire an experienced guide to show you the best that Beartooth Highway has to offer. For a breathtaking tour along the top of the world drive the Beartooth Highway east of Yellowstone National Park. Heres a brief overview of some of the major stops along the way to Red Lodge. If youre interested in history, the Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower is also a good place to learn about the regions past, as it was built in the 1930s as a fire lookout tower. The Alpine Motel of Cooke City Montana, located at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a family-owned motel. It is also called Beartooth National Scenic Byway, Beartooth All-American Road, Highway 212, and the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway. The area has particularly good trails, particularly theBeartooth Lakes Loop, which travels past a few smaller Alpine Lakes as well. Beartooth Highway is only open from late March until early October, and additional intermittent closures can occur throughout the year. Make sure to include a stop at Lake Creek Falls on your itinerary when traveling along the Beartooth Highway. This scenic overlook is a perfect spot to rest and appreciate the natural beauty of the region. & informative great blog by the way and thanks for sharing this amazing! For more information on this and similar water destinations click here. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The 45th Parallel Crossing on the Beartooth Highway is a popular landmark located at the midpoint of the highway. Rock Creek Vista The atmosphere would be so healthy there. Named an All-American Road by the National Scenic Byways, The Beartooth Pass takes visitors through some of the most remote environment in the country. 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. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. Whether youre interested in the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park, or history, or just want to take in the breathtaking scenery, Yellowstone has something for everyone. Cooke City, Montana is a Beartooth Highway basecamp/Montana Office of Tourism. And even if you dont have plans to enter or exit Yellowstone from the northeast entrance, adding this experience to your Yellowstone to-do list is well worth it, especially for those who like scenic drives over high mountain passes. 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. A 420 foot long bridge is being erected over Beartooth Ravine. It is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit, staffed largely by interns from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. This is the perfect place to stock up on supplies, enjoy a meal, or stay overnight before you continue along the Beartooth Highway. Bears, wolves, and other predators are often visible from a distance. Suitable for both tents and RVs, this is a well-appointed campground that takes reservations up to six months in advance. You can hike the. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. From here youll be able to see the Beartooth Plateau and Yellowstone National Park, and you may even spot an elk, deer, moose, and if youre very lucky, a bear. They have an on-site restaurant and bar with live entertainment, as well as a heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Sites are suitable for tent camping or boondocking. For questions and concerns regarding this extensive project, you can find . Note: This post contains affiliate links. This is the perfect place to stock up on supplies, enjoy a meal, or stay overnight before you continue along the Beartooth Highway. Originally built in 1942 to manage forest fires in the Abaroska Wilderness, the lookout tower is now a volunteer-run visitor center where you can find information about the region as well as the history of fire management. If you are road tripping across the USA with plans to visit Yellowstone, this town is a great place to stay.
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