The other route to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. You can see where the rock slides have been as well to do be careful on your drive! Northwest Wyomings Beartooth Lake is one of the most popular attractions along Highway 212. Suitable for both tents and RVs, this is a well-appointed campground that takes reservations up to six months in advance. For more information visit the Custer Gallatin National Forest website. Take your time and drive slow and take it all in. If you have plans to enter or exit Yellowstone through the northeast entrance, or if you plan to stay in Cooke City-Silver Gate, you will be at the start of Beartooth Highway, so adding on this drive is easy. Be sure to take the necessary precautions with your food to avoid any nighttime visitors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This road gets a massive amount of snowfall and in some years, it can be as high as 26 feet. Just make sure your dates of travel are from June through early October, when this road is typically open. Or, if you really like scenic drives, return on Beartooth Highway, turn left onto Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, and take this to Cody. If youre interested in geology, youll also find plenty to explore at Rock Creek Vista, as the area is known for its interesting rock formations and fossil deposits. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. The General Store, on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in 1886 and has maintained much of its old charm. You can pull over to snap a photo if you like! It passes through theGallatin, Shoshone, and Custer National Forests. Beartooth Lake is absolutely worth making the stop. Depending on the rest of your plans, you will want to allow somewhere between a half and a whole day to go from Cooke City to Red Lodge or vice versa. Clarks Fork Overlook will get you an up-front and personal look at the Clarks Fork River Valley. Email Cruising the Beartooth Highway/Montana Office of Tourism. Beartooth Basin is a popular destination located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana. 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. Being from Nebraska, the Beartooth highway is well out of our way to or from Yellowstone. The Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile-long stretch of road. Construction began in 1931 and over the course of five years, work crews built the switchbacks for which it would become famous. Campsites: 18 Thanks a lot for sharing. Once you enter the park, y. Beginners should be wary of the altitude and be sure to take plenty of water along with them. For a breathtaking tour along the top of the world drive the Beartooth Highway east of Yellowstone National Park. The Chief Joseph Highway is plowed, meaning Cooke City is reachable if you fly into Cody, Wyoming. Fees: $17/night The highway was built between 1932 and 1936 and named after the Beartooth Range, which it traverses. At the end of the three-mile-long forest road 142, youll find one of the Civilian Conservation Corps decommissioned lookout towers. 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. Season: Early July to Mid-September This is also the only decent bathroom stop on the highway. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. It is open for skiing in late spring and early summer, as long as the snow lasts. 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. More than twenty years passed before, in 1960, the Montana State Advertising Department asked the public for name ideas. You can hike the. To learn more about how to Leave No Trace and respect these spots, I encourage you to visit nativegov.org. This blog is definitely helpful! The highway is known for its winding, narrow roads and steep grades, so its definitely not for the faint of heart. Clarks Fork Overlook, located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana, offers breathtaking views of Clarks Fork and the surrounding mountains and valleys. Shops and restaurants of all kinds line the towns vibrant Main Street. You will be absolutely amazed by the mountains and high elevation lakes that you'll see along the way. It is a popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty, small-town atmosphere, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Cooke City, Montana is a Beartooth Highway basecamp/Montana Office of Tourism. Different campsites offer different services. In the panorama of crags, steeples, plunging canyons, snowfields and glaciers, look for the Bear's Tooth, the spire that gave the entire range its name. They source their beef from Gallaghers Natural Beef & Produce, a local, family-owned business that specializes in humanely raised grass-fed beef. There are also many local shops and trading posts to take in and a visitor center. Brings back memories. It also offers opportunities for exploring geological features, such as rock formations and fossil deposits. improving motorist safety and their driving experience, while increasing options and safety for animals in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Close Encounters: Beartooth Highway Mountain Goats - YouTube The Beartooth Highway is one of the most beautiful places in North America and also a great place to spot wildlife. It is typically closed from early October through Memorial Day, due to heavy snowfall. Equipment rentals, like fishing gear and canoes, are also available if you wish to spend the day exploring one of the many nearby lakes. There are several trailheads nearby includingMount Maurice Trail,Corral Creek Trail, andBear Track Trail. 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. The season usually begins around the time the highway opens in May and goes as long as the snow lasts, sometimes into July. Theres a lot of information here, particularly if youre planning your first trip to Beartooth Highway. Sites range in size up to 32 ft long to accommodate RVs, tent campers are also welcome. The picture above is one of my favorite of those stops. Theres also a gazebo with a fishing pond and the nearby Blackfoot River that attract many anglers. Our website uses cookies. Over the past thirty years, Ive hiked the trails just off the highway, spotted animals high upon the hillside, and slept at various campgrounds. You just have to get a bit creative/be flexible. Suitable for tent camping. 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. This road is maintained by the National Park Service. I recommend booking a rental car from Billings for this trip! Many of the destinations I write about are the homes or sacred areas of Indigenous Peoples of North America. 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. This campground is particularly popular with anglers. Which spot do you plan on stopping to see some incredible views of Yellowstone? Wilderness, mountain landscapes, and heavily-forested areas await you on this scenic road trip. Various lakes, such as Beauty and Becker, are perfect picnic destinations, reachable on relatively flat ground. At 7,600 feet, Cooke City lies 4 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. 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. Once youre in the park, cell phone and wifi access is limited, so write down directions in advance if you think youll need them. 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." . 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. One late spring day, we traveled from West Yellowstone, Montanta, across Yellowstone National Park to the northeast entrance and the Beartooth Scenic Highway. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This post may contain affiliate or referral links. Welcome to Montana Sign 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. It is a popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty, small-town atmosphere, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park. 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. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. A classic American roadhouse with a fine-dining twist, the Carbon County Steakhouse is renowned for its attention to detail and exceptional menu. It offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys, making it a must-see destination for anyone driving the Beartooth Highway. Love the outdoors? A map of pullouts, campgrounds, and other points of interest can be found by clicking here. View All Posts The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This scenic overlook is a perfect spot to rest and appreciate the natural beauty of the region. Fees: $20/night The Beartooth Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. At this point, you are at 9,190 feet and already 21 miles from Red Lodge. A mild hike with minimal gains in elevation, the Lady of the Lake Trail is just over nine miles long and offers views of both Upper and Lower Lakes. You could stay in Red Lodge, Montana or you could stay at the Western end of the highway in Cooke City, Montana which is near the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. In this guide to Beartooth Highway, learn how to plan your visit, what to do along the drive, when to go, and how to add this to your Yellowstone itinerary. Fees: $15/night YELLOWSTONE & GRAND TETON: Learn how to plan the perfect trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton in our Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Planner. The Best Hotels For The Beartooth Highway BEST BUDGET HOTEL Snowstorms can occur as late as July near Beartooth Pass, so be sure to bring gear for yourself and your vehicle just in case you get caught in unexpected weather. As you drive farther along Beartooth Highway, the views will get even better, but this overlook is still well worth the stop. Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray as mosquitos are present during much of the summer. Your email address will not be published. The Log Cabin Cafe 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. BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR FOR THE BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY HERE. Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. At this intersection, you can turn left to take Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The Beartooth Highway, nicknamed the "Highway to the Sky" and named an All-American Highway, is a segment of U.S. Route 212 that connects Yellowstone National Park to Red Lodge, Montana. Cabins and Mountain Lodges Cooke City is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of recreational activities available including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and skiing. Windy roads carve into the cliffsides, creating drop offs that keep drivers on their toes and passengers at times closing their eyes. The Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower offers stunning views of the mountains and valleys, making it a must-see destination for anyone driving this scenic road. The spectacle of Rock Creek Canyon unfolds as you weave along the pass toward Red Lodge, Montana. Lake Creek Falls, located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana, is a stunning waterfall that should not be missed. Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park, How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: Best Routes, Maps, & Photos, Where to Stay in Yellowstone in 2023: Best Hotels and Locations, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary. Several miles outside of Red Lodge is the welcome sign for Beartooth Highway. These cookies do not store any personal information. Want more information on Montana or Wyoming? They source their beef from Gallaghers Natural Beef & Produce, a local, family-owned business that specializes in humanely raised grass-fed beef. Though its less than two miles long, the trail sits between 7,500 and 10,000 feet, which can challenge even experienced hikers. An independent brewery, taproom, and package store, Red Lodge Ales creates many different styles of award-winning beer. The park is known for its geysers, including the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, as well as its stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers.

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