Tim and I stayed in a cabin at the Alpine Lodge and had dinner at Prerogative Kitchen (both are highly recommended!). Red Lodge is a small but bustling town at the other end of Beartooth Highway. In 2003, they added additional accommodations for visitors to stay at before or after their tour with them. Elk Horn Lodge Cooke City $$$$ Some popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and picnicking. Island Lake Campground It is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit, staffed largely by interns from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. 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. There are numerous small hotels and lodges to choose from, boutique shops, and several great restaurants. Typically, opens right around Memorial Day. What to Wear if you Visit Beartooth Highway Yellowstone National Park is a must-see destination for anyone driving through the Beartooth Pass. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. No reservations, first come, first serve only. Fees: $18/night The best time to drive the Beartooth Highway depends on what youre looking to experience. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Beartooth Highway is only open from late March until early October, and additional intermittent closures can occur throughout the year. Season: Early May to Late September Thanks Laci. The higher you go, the better the views. 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. It was heavy snow that a few times I had to pull off to the side of the road for safety until I could see better. The Beartooth Basin Ski Area is Montanas only ski park thats not open in the winter. The picture above is one of my favorite of those stops. Planning a Beartooth Highway road trip Heres what you need to know about traveling through the Beartooth Pass in Montana. Theres also a snowmobile road that begins here and connects to Cooke City. Having expanded in the 60s to include a motel, visitors also have the option of spending the night. Its also home to the Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area, arguably Montanas favorite ski resort thats been open since 1939, though its only open when Beartooth Highway is closed. Just make sure your dates of travel are from June through early October, when this road is typically open. Season: Late May to Mid-September From Red Lodge, you can take the Beartooth Highway along the Beartooth Corridor all the way to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The lodge offers a variety of accommodations including cabins, campsites, and RV sites, with linens and showers available. JOIN HERE! 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. Theres a nearby store to pick up food and supplies. Hiking trails take you around the towns perimeter and further afield into Custer Gallatin National Forest. Be sure to take the necessary precautions with your food to avoid any nighttime visitors. Red Lodge is a great place to start your journey. BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR FOR THE BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY HERE. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. My family has dined at most available restaurants and taken time to explore their streets. They do this by purchasing land and easements, restoring habitats, and engaging in advocacy for public lands. Calls for action on Colombia's hippo scourge after animal dies in road The area has particularly good trails, particularly theBeartooth Lakes Loop, which travels past a few smaller Alpine Lakes as well. Top of the World Resort The spring Beartooth Highway plowing is a pretty intense process, especially after a winter that saw a deeper-than-normal snowpack. 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. Season: Early May to Late September The atmosphere would be so healthy there. It takes about two hours to complete the entire drive, but most tourists make at least a couple of stops along the way. The Beartooth Highway is a breathtaking scenic drive that winds through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. There are several types of passes available, and you can either get one at the Northeast Gate or in advance from the National Parks Service website. The end of Beartooth Highway at Cooke City is at an elevation of about 7,600 feet. It is 25 miles from Cooke City and 38 miles from Red Lodge. The highway was built between 1932 and 1936 and named after the Beartooth Range, which it traverses. At the far side of Cooke City look for stunning arrays of wildflowers and ambling black bears as you begin your ascent on the well-marked Beartooth Highway. The road then descends towards Cooke City-Silver Gate, winding past alpine lakes, campgrounds, and jagged mountain peaks. Related:Visiting Pompeys Pillar National Monument Billings Montana. The Beartooth Highway: Tips, Things to Do & Photos (2023) Reservations 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. Animals Suffering in Kiev Zoo - National Humane Education Society at this point. The Alpine Motel of Cooke City Montana, located at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a family-owned motel. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For more information on this and similar water destinations click here. The Chief Joseph Highway is plowed, meaning Cooke City is reachable if you fly into Cody, Wyoming. Time it Right When I drove through the first weekend in September I was hit with snow at the top part of the mountains. A Fisherman's Guide to the Beartooth - Distinctly Montana Depending on conditions, the basin stays open until early July and often hosts events or competitions. Beartooth Highway Elevations. Along main street sit shops like the Yellowstone Trading Post, selling intricate jewelry and kitschy souvenirs, from onesie pajamas to animal hats. Part of route 212 in Montana and Wyoming, the Beartooth Highway runs between Red Lodge and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is awesome, but vast! The Beartooth Highway is unquestionably one of the most scenic drives on earth. Managing several sites in the region, you can find information about the Abaroska Wilderness and Beartooth Highway at the Beartooth Ranger Station. Sites are suitable for tent camping or boondocking. They have free wifi, parking, breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. There is a short road to Beartooth Pass Overlook where you can take in the view. A local favorite, the Two Bears Inn Bed & Breakfast has great views, comfortable rooms, and classic Montana fare available at their restaurant. Be sure to drive safely no matter your route and soak in the sights and experiences of your day. Cooke City is also a great place to book excursions. "A straight, clean cut, with apparent precision, had been made to . Season: Early July to Mid-September We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Really loved the place. Theres a small parking lot from which a two-mile-long out-and-back trail leads to one of the Shoshone Valleys most beloved waterfalls. Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower Heres a brief overview of some of the major stops along the way to Red Lodge. An independent brewery, taproom, and package store, Red Lodge Ales creates many different styles of award-winning beer. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lake Creek Campground Suitable for tent camping. We drove past the bridge in October 2021 and it was nowhere near being completed. This 68-mile, scenic section of U.S. Route 212 zigzags along the Montana-Wyoming border connecting the parks northeast entrance community of Cooke City, Montana, to Red Lodge, Montana, in a series of steep and thrilling switchbacks. The project was greenlit and finally surveyed in 1927, though construction didnt begin until 1931. If you will only have one day in Yellowstone, dont miss our guide for the Best Way to Spend One Day in Yellowstone. Facilities: Boat ramp, picnic tables, toilets, potable water And what an awesome way to enter Yellowstone National Park. The project begins at the west end of the Beartooth Highway Lake Bridge and proceeds westward for approximately of a mile. Also called Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook, this turn-off from Beartooth Highway is a spectacular spot to take photos. Wilderness, mountain landscapes, and heavily-forested areas await you on this scenic road trip. It was proposed to congress in the early 1920s; the project was expected to cost over five million dollars and take over ten years to build. 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. It starts in Red Lodge, Montana and ends at Yellowstone National Park. This is why you must take your time. Beartooth Cafe There are several base areas suited to skiers of all levels, so beginners up to expert skiers should feel plenty challenged. The Beartooth Highway: Driving to the Sky on the Orphaned Road ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. They source their beef from Gallaghers Natural Beef & Produce, a local, family-owned business that specializes in humanely raised grass-fed beef. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. 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. - Picnicking offers a relaxing way to take in views and to fuel the body for the remainder of your adventure. 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. Though the highway is closed during the winter, there have been some fatal car crashes in its nearly 100-year history. Best Guide to Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass [2023] You have plenty to choose from, depending on how far you want to drive each day and the type of activity in which you want to engage. The region now had gold, minerals and humans to move but no major system of transportation to do so. If you have any questions about Beartooth Highway, or if you would like to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below. This is where the Beartooth Highway starts or ends depending on which direction you drive. 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. Pilot and Index, perhaps the most unique in the area, stand somewhat in isolation, drawing even more attention. The exact opening and closing dates can vary from year to year, so its always a good idea to check the current road conditions before planning your trip. Jagged peaks soar on all sides. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Note: The highway may only be open from May- October but that doesnt mean the towns are inaccessible in winter. Last Resort Lodge Red Lodge Area $$$$ A few years ago we went through hail and then snow in mid August. Scenic Beartooth Highway - What You Need To Know It offers breathtaking views of Gardner Lake and the mountains, making it a must-see destination for anyone driving the Beartooth Highway. Moose on the Loose Mountain Villa also has two decks for outdoor relaxation and dining, as well as an outdoor fire pit. The Beartooth Highway is a pretty remote highway through the wilderness. The Beartooth Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. It took us just under 3 hours and we stopped frequently for photos. Related:Top 10 Places to Eat Restaurant Guide Billings MT. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Top 39 FREE Things to do in Atlanta Georgia. Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Planner. Campsites: 18 Open to hard-sided camping only, like trailers and RVs. . This is the perfect place to stock up on supplies, enjoy a meal, or stay overnight before you continue along the Beartooth Highway. Thankfully there are places to stay while en route, especially if you like to camp. How Long Does It Take to Drive 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. It passes through theGallatin, Shoshone, and Custer National Forests. Beartooth Highway | Travel Channel In the winter, Cooke City transforms into a winter wonderland, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling available. Technically driving the Beartooth Highway takes only 2 hours, door to door. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Beartooth Highway is only open from late March until early October, and additional intermittent closures can occur throughout the year. Campsites: 6 The sign marks the start of the 68-mile stretch of road that winds through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. what a highway, i have never seen before! Originally constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), it is situated in the Clarks Fork Valley and has been designated as a historic site by the National Park Service.
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