Beartooth Highway

The Beartooth Highway is composed of US Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park near Cooke City, Montana. In winter, the stretch of road between Red Lodge and the intersection with Wyoming Highway 296 (the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) is closed by snow. But when this road is open, as Charles Kurault once said, this is "America's most beautiful highway." Wildflower-filled alpine meadows, high mountain glaciers and the rugged mountainscape of the Beartooth and Absaroka Ranges. And then you arrive at Yellowstone...

I'm sure Native Americans and early French, British and American fur trappers and mountain men crossed this area for years, but the first pioneer to make the journey and mark the route taken was General Sherman in 1882. The Beartooth Highway itself wasn't built until 1936, but since the route was opened, millions of folks have traveled this road and enjoyed the views, the wildlife and the drive through lush green forest into alpine tundra. In places along the way you'll have the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to the north and the North Absaroka Wilderness to the south. This is some of America's wildest and most pristine countryside.

There are several campgrounds along this route, spread through three National Forests: the Custer, Shoshone and Gallatin. As this highway sees lots of traffic (and campers) in season, you might want to check out making reservations in advance of your trip through here. You'll find data under the road map below.