His first love is coffee, with travel a close 2nd. This is the end of Beartooth Highway. There are several trailheads nearby includingMount Maurice Trail,Corral Creek Trail, andBear Track Trail. Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. It took us just under 3 hours and we stopped frequently for photos. Technically driving the Beartooth Highway takes only 2 hours, door to door. The Beartooth Highway is part of the larger National Scenic Byway System. Season: Early July to Mid-September - Picnicking offers a relaxing way to take in views and to fuel the body for the remainder of your adventure. This is a beautiful part of the drive. At its summit, the road reaches 10,947 feet, making it the highest US road when it was first opened, on June 14th, 1936. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Reaching an elevation of 10,947 feet above sea level at its highest point, Beartooth Highway winds and wends its way through twenty peaks that . Beartooth Lake is absolutely worth making the stop. Facilities: Fire grates, picnic tables, garbage pick-up, potable water, toilets The route was originally used to transport supplies to various mining camps and military posts in the region, though today its a popular destination for travelers who want to take in the natural beauty of Montana. Once you enter the park, y. Jagged peaks soar on all sides. What to Wear if you Visit Beartooth Highway super and great highway reacted out to share with here, Copyright 2023 Our Roaming Hearts | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. About halfway between Red Lodge and Cooke City youll find The Top of the World, sitting at 9,400 ft above sea level. Beartooth Basin is a popular destination located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana. Campsites: 6 It is 25 miles from Cooke City and 38 miles from Red Lodge. Along the way, youll find a number of interesting landmarks and points of interest, including the Chief Joseph Scenic Overlook, which offers breathtaking views of the nearby mountain range. Is it safe to drive Beartooth Highway? 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. Need gas, a snack or a place to stretch your legs? 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. Will is a true digital nomad, taking his work on the road at every opportunity. It is a maintained road and is open all year, although it can briefly close after a big snowfall. Being from Nebraska, the Beartooth highway is well out of our way to or from Yellowstone. Yellowstone is awesome, but vast! About six miles after the Beartooth Highway crosses into Wyoming is the Crazy Creek Falls trailhead. 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. This scenic overlook is a perfect spot to rest and appreciate the natural beauty of the region. Its located on the Beartooth Highway. This blog is definitely helpful! My family has dined at most available restaurants and taken time to explore their streets. The pass reaches the highest point of 10,947 feet and is known for its stunning views and rugged terrain. However, if youre planning on a Yellowstone National Park itinerary, you will need to purchase a park pass. As a popular summer route into Yellowstone, open from Memorial Columbus Day, many know of its existence and eagerly plan a trip to cross it. Its a perfect choice if youd like to treat yourself to a romantic, luxurious stay. Make sure to include a visit to this overlook on your journey along the Beartooth Highway. Bannock Trailhead Beartooth Highway is typically open from Memorial Day through early October. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is a short road to Beartooth Pass Overlook where you can take in the view. Beautiful highway! With its headwaters just outside of Cooke City, Montana, the upper section of this tributary is a fishermans dream. We drove Beartooth Highway on October 5, 2021. Managing several sites in the region, you can find information about the Abaroska Wilderness and Beartooth Highway at the Beartooth Ranger Station. Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. If you would like, you can also continue up for a Glacier National Park itinerary and a longer scenic drive, as well. It is a maintained road and is open all year. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Before starting your drive along the Beartooth Highway, it is worth your while to explore Red Lodge, Montana. be sure to stop and take a photo with the welcome sign before you begin your journey. Facilities: Potable water, toilets and an easily accessed trail that is wheelchair friendly. If youre also visiting Yellowstone National Park, youll need to purchase a Parks Pass. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. The Beartooth Mountains also form part of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, and the landscape in and around them features some huge peaks amidst high and vast plateaus. The view from Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook (aka Yellowstone Overlook). At 10,947, this is the highest point along 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. Enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, hiking, and even wildlife observation in this pristine haven. It is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit, staffed largely by interns from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. Nestled against the Beartooths, Montana's highest mountain peaks, Red Lodge is a place of extraordinary beauty and, wherever you turn, real smiles, genuine warmth and a welcoming, Western-style hospitality. The spectacle of Rock Creek Canyon unfolds as you weave along the pass toward Red Lodge, Montana. The project was greenlit and finally surveyed in 1927, though construction didnt begin until 1931. All offer a unique experience in terms of sleeping under the stars and waking with a sunrise. Keep in mind the Beartooth Highway is normally closed from sometime in the end of September to Memorial Day weekend. Related:Top 10 Things to See at Big Horn County Museum Hardin Montana. More than twenty years passed before, in 1960, the Montana State Advertising Department asked the public for name ideas. Facilities: Fire rings, picnic tables, toilets, potable water, firewood for purchase In 2003, they added additional accommodations for visitors to stay at before or after their tour with them. 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. 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. There are plenty of things to see and do along the Beartooth Highway. If youre beginning in Red Lodge and traveling to Yellowstone, you can simply follow the guide in reverse. Leave a Comment Cancel replyCommentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad745959d4cfc18c5b1397faea80cd04" );document.getElementById("a590a7590e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Name His first love is coffee, with travel a close 2nd. . Though motorized boats are allowed on the lake, it is far more popular with canoers and kayakers. Mountain goats, lions, moose, bears, and wolves are among the wildlife you will encounter on your journey. Over the past thirty years, Ive hiked the trails just off the highway, spotted animals high upon the hillside, and slept at various campgrounds. Season: Mid-July to Labor Day Here at this rest area, you will find jaw-dropping views of Rock Creek Canyon and an easily accessed trail that is wheelchair friendly. How Long Does It Take to Drive Beartooth Highway? Red Lodge is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of recreational activities available including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and skiing. The mountains got their name from a rugged peak found within the range that resembles a bear's tooth, and they border both the fossil-rich Bighorn Basin and the Absaroka Range. Fees: $20/night Elk Horn Lodge Cooke City $$$$ There are also many local shops and trading posts to take in and a visitor center. Beartooth Highway is a section of US Route 212 that connects Red Lodge, Montana with Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana. Starting in Red Lodge, at 5,500 feet, it climbs up to Beartooth Pass, topping out at 10,947 feet. At this point, you are 38 miles from Red Lodge and 25 miles from Cooke City. Campsites: 27 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. It takes about two hours to complete the entire drive, but most tourists make at least a couple of stops along the way. The end of Beartooth Highway at Cooke City is at an elevation of about 7,600 feet. Stop the Car Trading Post & informative great blog by the way and thanks for sharing this amazing! When is the best time to drive Beartooth Highway? Wow! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Gardner Lake Pullout is a popular scenic overlook located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana. For more information on this and similar water destinations click here. Click here to see a roadmap for Yellowstone. Amid the widespread death and destruction, wild crea National park essentialsYoull need to enter: National parks pass It is a narrow, winding road edged with steep cliffs that stretches for 68 miles between Red Lodge and Yellowstone National Park. There are several trailheads nearby includingLake Fork Trail,Parkside Trail, andHellroaring Plateau Trail. 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. If youre interested in seeing the stunning wildflowers that bloom along the highway in the summer, then the best time to visit is from late May to early July. Because of violent winter storms and heavy snowfall, the highway closes annually between early October and late May, though snowstorms can occur at high elevations as late as July. I was sad I couldn't get a clear view of Beartooth mountain until later on in my drive but if you are lucky this is where you will get an up-close shot of the mountain that the highway takes its name from. Posted by amcstravel | Jul 19, 2019 | Destinations, Tips | 3 |. The highway starts in the town of Red Lodge, which is located about an hours drive from Billings in Southwest Montana and one of the best things to do in Billings, Montana. Theyre black and white, often depicting comical encounters between humans and nature. Yes, it is labeled as one of the most dangerous roads in America because of the climb and switchback. and discover how this highway got its name. The road passes through the widespread Tower-Roosevelt and Lamar Valley regions of Yellowstone before travelling into thick, old-growth forests and ancient volcanic mountains that define the northeast corner of the park. Heres a brief rundown of the major points and things to note before your visit. Jagged peaks soar on all sides. Things to note before your trip down Beartooth Highway Want more information on Montana or Wyoming? This road passes through portions of Gallatin, Custer, and Shoshone national forests. This is the perfect place to stock up on supplies, enjoy a meal, or stay overnight before you continue along the Beartooth Highway. 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. But if you plan to do the short hikes and detours listed below, this drive can take a half of a day or longer. Thanks a lot for sharing. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Though there is no running water, the nearby Lake Creek streamwater can be filtered for drinking. This road gets a massive amount of snowfall and in some years, it can be as high as 26 feet. Your only option once you leave Red Lodge, other than the 4 rooms offered at the Top of the World. Various accommodations dot the town, with motels, hotels and guest ranches offering a plethora of options. 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. From Red Lodge, you can take the Beartooth Highway along the Beartooth Corridor all the way to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It also offers opportunities for exploring geological features, such as rock formations and fossil deposits. Other animals commonly seen are mule deer, white-tail deer, marmots, elk, and pine squirrels. It is a narrow, winding road edged with steep cliffs that stretches for 68 miles between Red Lodge and Yellowstone National Park. I, myself, have crossed this pass more than sixty times, en route to a ranch that sits just before Cooke City, Montana. 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. Starting in Red Lodge, at 5,500 feet, it climbs up to Beartooth Pass, topping out at 10,947 feet. Not only will this scenic drive be one that you remember, but its well-worth adding as a wonderful activity to do when you are out west. Another short series of switchbacks takes you up to Beartooth Pass. As far as what to do in Yellowstone, we have tons of information about Yellowstone National Park on our website. There are several trailheads nearby includingLake Fork Trail,Parkside Trail, andHellroaring Plateau Trail. And the drive from the east entrance of Yellowstone to Cody is another underrated scenic drive. The road is very wide with guardrails, so it is safe and easy to drive, just keep your eyes on the road. It is 68 miles long. We also have guides to the top sights in Yellowstone, such as Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, how to visit Grand Prismatic Spring, and a Guide to the Geyser Basins. Join our travel community and get weekly updates with travel tips, locations, and freebies. It was established in 1907 and has been the center of the towns social life for over 100 years. Put simply, yes, there have been a number of Beartooth highway deaths. For around $50 you can reserve one of the 4 rooms or opt to camp for $24. Join my free Facebook community where we chat and share information about national parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more! Past here, lodgings are limited to campgrounds and the occasional cabin until you reach the Red Lodge area. HEARTBREAKING photos show terrified animals trapped in zoos as Vladimir Putin's troops continue to hammer Ukraine with relentless bombing. Moose on the Loose Mountain Villa also has two decks for outdoor relaxation and dining, as well as an outdoor fire pit. Along the way, it passes through some of the most stunning scenery in the region, including alpine meadows and alpine tundra, crystal clear lakes, forested, valleys, and rugged peaks. Just make sure your dates of travel are from June through early October, when this road is typically open. The accommodation includes cabins, a bunkhouse, and RV sites for those looking for an overnight stay near the park entrance. Tim and I stayed in a cabin at the Alpine Lodge and had dinner at Prerogative Kitchen (both are highly recommended!). One late spring day, we traveled from West Yellowstone, Montanta, across Yellowstone National Park to the northeast entrance and the Beartooth Scenic Highway. If youre looking for a rustic mountain lodge experience, the Alpine Lodge has several unpretentious, comfortable rooms. Following years of local advocacy, the legislation passed a bill known as the Parks Approach Act, which allowed for the creation of the Beartooth Pass. En route, travelers certainly appreciate the views and marvel at its construction. The highway is open to the public and there is no charge to use it. Curious onlookers lined the road as the animals sheepishly entered the highway, guided by ranchers and steered by sheepdogs. Built on Beartooth Lake in 1934, it has since moved to sit right along the Beartooth Highway and serves as the only store along the pass. 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. Read our post Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. Recently, local officials have proposed shipping 70 of the animals to zoos and sanctuaries in Mexico and India, though experts are sceptical that the plan will succeed. Remember to use pullouts when viewing wildlife and to maintain a safe distance to protect yourself and the animals. . A little farther down the road is Silver Gate, another cluster of lodges and restaurants. Which spot do you plan on stopping to see some incredible views of Yellowstone? Silver Gate is a small town in the Flathead Valley of Montana. Founded by John and Karen Potter in 1988, Yellowstone Touring Company specializes in providing tours of the Yellowstone National Park and Beartooth Highway. He loves nothing more than hitting the road in his self-build campervan and visiting off-the-beaten-path places, away from popular tourist destinations. Suitable for tent camping. Fees: $10/night Because of violent winter storms and heavy snowfall, the highway closes annually between early October and late May, though snowstorms can occur at high elevations as late as July. BEST OPTION FOR ADVENTURERS: ALPINE MOTEL OF COOKE CITY From parts of Custer and Shoshone National Forests to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, passers through have endless natural landscape to explore. HAs you head down the switchbacks you get to see Beartooth Moutain from the base and it's a sight to see. Take your time and drive slow and take it all in. So do it before you start the highway and every chance you get. 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: Dubbed "the most beautiful roadway in America" by On the Road correspondent Charles Kuralt, the Beartooth Highway climbs to an astounding 10,947 feet above sea level. There are so many unnamed stops along the Beartooth Highway that have amazing views and are worth the stop. With an on-site restaurant, an outdoor heated pool, and a hot tub, the Beartooth Hideaway offers well-appointed rooms just a stones throw from Beartooth Highway. Campsites: 21 Large jars of candy are on display and, as the only grocery store, food lines the wooden shelves. Join my free Facebook community where we chat and share information about national parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more! 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. Top of the World is also open year-round. Built in 1936, Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile length of U.S. Route 212 near Yellowstone National Park. The highway is known for its winding, narrow roads and steep grades, so its definitely not for the faint of heart. Bears, wolves, and other predators are often visible from a distance. The route peaks at the Beartooth Passat nearly 11,000 feet and offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains before beginning its sharp descent. The Last Resort Lodge is a historic motel originally built in the 1950s. Last Resort Lodge Red Lodge Area $$$$ A little farther up the road, you get a view down to Rock Creek Vista. A map of pullouts, campgrounds, and other points of interest can be found by clicking here. When is the Beartooth Highway open? The season usually begins around the time the highway opens in May and goes as long as the snow lasts, sometimes into July. To return to Yellowstone, you can retrace the route along Beartooth Highway, and then drive through Lamar Valley in the afternoon, a great time to be here. Beartooth Highway, the 64-mile stretch of US Highway 212 in Montana and Wyoming, is a seasonal indulgence.The mountain pass is only open from late May to late September -- savor it and you might understand why Charles Kuralt referred to the Beartooth as "the most beautiful drive in America." . The Alpine Motel of Cooke City Montana, located at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a family-owned motel. This road is named for the last chief of the Nez Perce Indians. Required fields are marked *. A picturesque site right on Island Lake for tents and RVs up to 32 ft. Non-motorized craft can be used on the lake, with access at an onsite boat ramp. This is also the only decent bathroom stop on the highway. View All Posts We did not do any of the optional hikes, since we had a lot already planned for the day. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Youll also find plenty to explore at the here, as the area is known for its interesting rock formations and fossil deposits. It's also one of the most dangerous routes. Its a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists looking to take in the breathtaking scenery. Along Beartooth Highway, you will travel through several national forests, view the tallest peaks in Montana, see numerous alpine lakes, and have the option to add on short hikes to viewpoints and waterfalls.
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