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. Sites range in size up to 32 ft long to accommodate RVs, tent campers are also welcome. The Beartooth Basin Ski Area is Montanas only ski park thats not open in the winter. Recommended hiking poles: Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles There is a short road to Beartooth Pass Overlook where you can take in the view. Heres a brief overview of some of the major stops along the way to Red Lodge. Document your trip: National parks journal Another short series of switchbacks takes you up to Beartooth Pass. Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. Managing several sites in the region, you can find information about the Abaroska Wilderness and Beartooth Highway at the Beartooth Ranger Station. If you will only have one day in Yellowstone, dont miss our guide for the Best Way to Spend One Day in Yellowstone. Thanks Laci. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Dead Texas cows: Cattle corpses found with tongues, body parts gone En route, travelers certainly appreciate the views and marvel at its construction. The park is known for its geysers, including the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, as well as its stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers. It's a great route to take on your Montana road trip! My name is Alex and Im here to help you have the outdoors adventure of a lifetime! Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area Later on, in the summer you will enjoy yellow aspen trees that pair nicely with the dark hues of the mountains in the backdrop. Colloquially, it is known as one of the most scenic driving routes in the world. It is the county seat of Carbon County and was founded in 1878 following the discovery of coal nearby. what a highway, i have never seen before! Beartooth Highway was built to connect Cooke City with Red Lodge to aid in mining operations, though it is now used primarily by tourists traveling either to or from Yellowstone National Park. A classic American roadhouse with a fine-dining twist, the Carbon County Steakhouse is renowned for its attention to detail and exceptional menu. Beartooth Highway was built to connect Cooke City with Red Lodge to aid in mining operations, though it is now used primarily by tourists traveling either to or from Yellowstone National Park. Soda Butte Campground The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". improving motorist safety and their driving experience, while increasing options and safety for animals in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 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. Cooke City is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of recreational activities available including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and skiing. Reports state that since the invasion, the canines were left there without food and drinking water. Custer National Forrest has 10 different sections around Montana and covers over 1.1 million acres. Planning a Beartooth Highway road trip Related:Top 10 Things to See at Big Horn County Museum Hardin Montana. Note: The highway may only be open from May- October but that doesnt mean the towns are inaccessible in winter. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. 36. Many folks travel the Beartooth Highway after exiting Yellowstone National Park through the Northeast Entrance. Planning a Road Trip on the Beartooth Highway - Peanuts or Pretzels Planning on driving the Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming? We drove past the bridge in October 2021 and it was nowhere near being completed. 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. 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. Chosen by the U.S. Forest service for designation as a National Scenic Byways All-American Road, the Beartooth Highway climbs up and out of deep forest to the top of the Beartooth Mountains above treeline. This depends on how many stops you make and of course the weather but the average is 2 hours one way. It's also the highest elevation highway in both states. This is why you must take your time. The other route to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. The project was greenlit and finally surveyed in 1927, though construction didnt begin until 1931. The end of Beartooth Highway at Cooke City is at an elevation of about 7,600 feet. We had one day to drive Beartooth Highway, through Yellowstone, and out to Cody. If you do Beartooth Highway Chief Joseph Scenic Byway Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway east entrance of Yellowstone, this will take one full day. Keep in mind the Beartooth Highway is normally closed from sometime in the end of September to Memorial Day weekend. Beartooth Highway is a dramatic, beautiful entrance into Yellowstone National Park. Suitable for tents and RVs up to 40 ft. Beartooth Highway is the most beautiful drive of America And the drive from the east entrance of Yellowstone to Cody is another underrated scenic drive. I drove the Beartooth Highwayfrom Yellowstone National Park into Billings Montana. Rock Creek Vista Located at the northern end of the highway, Yellowstone is the worlds first national park and is home to a wide range of geological and natural wonders. It starts in Red Lodge, Montana and ends at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. It is sometimes called the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway because of the two cities it connects. Though motorized boats are allowed on the lake, it is far more popular with canoers and kayakers. Beyond Beartooth Pass, the road begins to make its descent. If you would like, you can also continue up for a Glacier National Park itinerary and a longer scenic drive, as well. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. It is a maintained road and is open all year. It takes about two hours to complete the entire drive, but most tourists make at least a couple of stops along the way. Finally, if you are traveling as a family, here are the best parks to visit with kids. 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. The road then descends towards Cooke City-Silver Gate, winding past alpine lakes, campgrounds, and jagged mountain peaks. If youre visiting during mid-July, keep your eyes out for alpine flowers and other wildflowers in the prairies. 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. HEARTBREAKING photos show terrified animals trapped in zoos as Vladimir Putin's troops continue to hammer Ukraine with relentless bombing. You can stop to refuel, grab snacks or stock up on a wide range of Western souvenirs, from a rabbits foot to jigsaw postcards. Campsites: 18 But we had no choice, since we had a big driving day ahead of us (we drove through Yellowstone and out to Cody, Wyoming). Theres also a gazebo with a fishing pond and the nearby Blackfoot River that attract many anglers. Theres also plenty of parking at this pitstop. The byway is named after Chief Joseph, a Nez Perce leader who fought to preserve his tribes land in the late 1800s. MDOT typically reopens Beartooth Highway the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and closes it for winter in mid-September. 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. All offer a unique experience in terms of sleeping under the stars and waking with a sunrise. Beartooth Highway Elevations. 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. Theres a wide variety of lodgings available in the region ranging from bare-bones campgrounds all the way to multi-room mountain villas. Explore the Clarks Fork Picnic area 4 miles east of Cooke City for a short, accessible, interpretive walk or for the start of a longer hiking expedition. Driving the Beartooth Highway Part of route 212 in Montana and Wyoming, the Beartooth Highway runs between Red Lodge and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The Log Cabin Cafe It offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys, making it a must-see destination for anyone driving the Beartooth Highway. Yellowstone National Park opened for partial access last weekend . You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. In a Facebook post, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) said crews used a snowblower and a snowcat to clear the highway. Just beyond this sign, the road begins its thrilling climb up into the mountains. As you drive farther along Beartooth Highway, the views will get even better, but this overlook is still well worth the stop. Ive learned first hand that the Beartooth Pass is far more than just a means to reach one of the countrys most famous national parks. Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. The 45th Parallel Crossing on the Beartooth Highway is a popular landmark located at the midpoint of the highway. Silver Gate Lodging Silver Gate $$ Signs along the drive tell the tale of the flight of Chief Josephs band of Nez Perce. 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. 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. Leave a Comment Cancel replyCommentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad745959d4cfc18c5b1397faea80cd04" );document.getElementById("a590a7590e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Name Silver Gate is a small town in the Flathead Valley of Montana. Various lakes, such as Beauty and Becker, are perfect picnic destinations, reachable on relatively flat ground. Mountain goats, lions, moose, bears, and wolves are among the wildlife you will encounter on your journey. CONSIDER AN RV FOR YOUR TRIP: CHECK OUT RVS HERE, BEST OPTION FOR FAMILIES: HIGH COUNTRY HOTEL AND CABINS, BEST OPTION FOR ADVENTURERS: ALPINE MOTEL OF COOKE CITY, CONSIDER AN RV FOR YOUR TRIP: CHECK OUT RVS HERE. Now, you are driving through alpine tundra. 01 044, Str. The Last Resort Lodge is a historic motel originally built in the 1950s. On the outskirts of Silver Gate is the trailhead to the Bannock Ski Trail, a two-mile cross-country ski trail that follows a retired mining path from Silver Gate to just inside Yellowstone. Swing by Scoops for some delicious local ice cream (Moose Tracks is a must try flavor) or stop in Sylvan Peak to load up outdoor gear. For more information on this and similar water destinations click here. 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. The highest point along Highway 212 with an elevation of 10,947 ft., Beartooth Pass has been used long before there was a paved road demarking it as it was used by Native Americans for centuries and later by fur trading settlers. Beartooth Highway is only open from late March until early October, and additional intermittent closures can occur throughout the year. JOIN HERE! They also offer full-service dining options with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks available daily at their restaurant or on their porch overlooking the wilderness. Its a great place to stop and take a break from the road, and its also a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying the views. It also offers opportunities for exploring geological features, such as rock formations and fossil deposits. Youre in and out in a few minutes but it undoubtedly adds to the mountain town experience. Fees: $18/night Part classic Montana tavern, part package store, part cafe, Miners Saloon is a historic landmark in Cooke City, Montana. A six-bedroom, three-bath cabin, the Moose on the Loose Mountain Villa is a beautifully designed and furnished home with all the amenities of home. After pass the Beartooth Plateau, Beartooth Lake is a captivating gem that offers a serene escape for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Your email address will not be published. Its a great route to take on your Montana road trip! The building began as a saloon and general store in 1917, closed for several years in 1967, then was finally reopened in 2007 by Matt and Jody Hines. It traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks, along the Montana-Wyoming border (45th parallel) to the 10,947-foot-high (3,337 m) Beartooth Pass in Wyoming. Related:Visiting Pompeys Pillar National Monument Billings Montana. Bears Tooth Hike like a pro: Get an AllTrails Pro membership! Though the highway is closed during the winter, there have been some fatal car crashes in its nearly 100-year history. Theres also a snowmobile road that begins here and connects to Cooke City. There are several base areas suited to skiers of all levels, so beginners up to expert skiers should feel plenty challenged. It's an alpine lake backed up to some of the smaller mountains before you start to make the steep climbs. If youre coming from out of state, the easiest way to get to Red Lodge is to fly into Billings Logan International Airport and then rent a car.
