The Beartooth Highway climbs out of Red Lodge, Montana, through twenty switchbacks to the 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass, then drops through alpine tundra and glacial lakes to Yellowstone's northeast entrance. CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt called it 'the most beautiful drive in America,' and the designation has stuck. The road crosses the 45th parallel, the midpoint between the North Pole and equator. It passes glaciers, granite peaks, and alpine plateaus that hold snow into July. The engineering required to build it in the 1930s was substantial; the scenery justified the effort. This is the road you take to Yellowstone if you want the approach to match what's waiting inside.
Parks Along the Way
Yellowstone National Park
Enter through the northeast gate and drive the Lamar Valley for wildlife before heading to Old Faithful and the thermal areas.
Notable Stops
Red Lodge
A former coal mining town turned ski village, population under 3,000. The main street has more restaurants than you'd expect, including several worth planning around. Fill up on gas here. Stock up on snacks. The drive ahead has limited services.
1-2 hours
Rock Creek Vista Point
The first major overlook as you climb out of Red Lodge. Rock Creek Canyon drops away below, with the Beartooth Plateau rising ahead. A wheelchair-accessible trail leads to the overlook. The scale of what's coming begins to register here.
15-20 minutes
Red Box Car
A fast-food stand built inside an actual 100-year-old boxcar, beside Rock Creek. Burgers, fries, ice cream. Picnic tables by the water. The kind of roadside stop that barely exists anymore. Seasonal.
30 minutes
45th Parallel Marker
A roadside marker at the line exactly halfway between the North Pole and the equator. A quick photo stop and a geographic curiosity. The marker sits near the switchbacks as the road climbs toward the pass.
5 minutes
Gardner Lake
A pullout near the summit with views of Gardner Lake and the Bear's Tooth, the rock spire for which the highway is named. The trailhead for Beartooth Loop National Recreation Trail begins here. Good chance of seeing mountain goats on the surrounding peaks.
15-30 minutes
Beartooth Pass Summit
The highest point on the highway at 10,947 feet, the highest drivable pass in Montana and Wyoming. Snow often lines the road even in July. The alpine tundra here resembles Arctic landscapes. Bring a jacket regardless of the temperature in the valleys.
15-30 minutes
Top of the World Store
The only services on the highway between Red Lodge and Cooke City. Gas, food, basic supplies, and surprisingly, cabins for overnight stays. At roughly 9,400 feet, this is as isolated as roadside stops get. A genuine high-country outpost.
20-30 minutes
Island Lake and Beartooth Lake
Twin glacial lakes reflecting the surrounding peaks. Both have pullouts and short trails to the water. Fishing is popular in summer. The lakes freeze by October and don't thaw until June. The high-elevation landscape is stark and beautiful.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook
Perhaps the most photographed view on the highway. Two volcanic peaks rise above the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone River. The angle and lighting in late afternoon make this an ideal spot to pause before the final descent to Cooke City.
15-20 minutes
Cooke City
Population around 100 year-round, but the town has served Yellowstone visitors since 1882. A handful of restaurants, lodges, and outfitters line the main street. The northeast entrance to Yellowstone is 4 miles west. In winter, this is the only entrance open to automobile traffic.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Red Lodge Ales
A craft brewery in Red Lodge with a taproom and full kitchen. Twenty beers on tap, including the Glacier Altbier and Liver Eatin' Ale. The outdoor patio fills on summer evenings. A good endpoint if driving east from Yellowstone.
1-1.5 hours
Carbon County Steakhouse
Locally sourced steaks in a modern-Western setting. The beef comes from Gallagher's Natural Beef, raised on Montana ranches. A proper meal before or after the drive, in a town with surprisingly good dining options.
1.5 hours
Pro Tips
- No gas stations between Red Lodge and Cooke City except the Top of the World Store, which may be closed in early or late season. Fill up before you start.
- The road typically opens Memorial Day weekend and closes in October. Check conditions at mdt.mt.gov before traveling.
- Snow can fall at the pass any month of the year. Carry layers even in August.
- The switchbacks on the Red Lodge side require attention. Take your time and use pullouts to let faster traffic pass.
- Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent for most of the drive. Download maps and confirm plans before leaving Red Lodge.
- Driving east to west (Red Lodge to Yellowstone) is more dramatic as you climb to the pass. West to east saves the climb for the end.