The Beartooth Highway is a 67 mile stretch of US Highway 212 that, from its western most terminus at the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park, runs east to Red Lodge, Montana. While the Highway begins and ends in Montana, a large portion lies within the northwest corner of the State of Wyoming. Because the Beartooth Highway lies within National Forest and National Wilderness boundaries services along the route are limited to rest areas and interpretive sites, with the exception of one commercial property - Top of the World Store - located close to Island Lake Campground. Three communities, the Road's "gateway communities", provide access to the Highway, as well as full visitor services. This is important to note as these communities will be used as "home base" for travelers wanting to explore the Highway and surrounding Yellowstone Country.
From the Cooke City, Montana area, visitors who leave Yellowstone National Park through the northeast entrance will find themselves on the Beartooth All-American Road. The Road travels through the historic mining communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, and continues on for 68 breathtaking miles past the Beartooth-Absaroka Wilderness and over the Beartooth Plateau at an elevation of 10970 feet and to Red Lodge, Montana. 17 miles from Cooke City, visitors will find the junction of US 212 and WY 296 - the beautiful Chief Joseph Scenic Highway that leads south to Cody, Wyoming.
From Red Lodge, Montana, visitors will travel south and west on US Highway 212, the Beartooth All-American Road, and continue for the next 68.7 miles along the full length of the Beartooth Highway to the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Red Lodge is easily accessible from Interstate 90, which traverses the southern portion of Montana. Exit 367 at Laurel, Montana, will lead visitors to Red Lodge.
From Cody, Wyoming, visitors will travel north on WY 120 for 17 miles to the junction of WY 120 and WY 296 - the beautiful Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Follow WY 296 for 47 miles to its intersection with The Beartooth All-American Road - US Highway 212. A right hand turn at the intersection will take visitors to the Beartooth Plateau and down the Beartooth Highway "switchbacks" into historic Red Lodge, Montana. A left turn leads visitors to Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana, and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Reaching 10,977 feet at Beartooth Pass, and surrounded by 20 mountain peaks that reach over 12,000 feet, the Beartooth Highway crosses some of the most extreme country in the world. The high alpine climate ensures that severe weather conditions occur almost every month of the year. Summertime temperatures can range from the 70s on sunny days to below freezing during sudden snowstorms. Keep these extreme conditions in mind when planning a visit to the Beartooth Highway. Pack appropriate clothing including warm jackets and hats. Those planning outdoor recreation time may want to include additional foot wear and other items that will provide more warmth.
The road is normally plowed by Memorial Day, but closures are common through June due to spring snow storms. From the opening near Memorial Day, the road is seldom closed more than one day to remove the snow. It is not uncommon to experience blizzard type conditions both in the spring and the fall, especially at higher elevations. When these events occur, travel is slowed considerably or the highway is closed until it can be reopened by maintenance crews. Being aware of these possible weather conditional
2011 Spring Plowing Information
Yellowstone National Park Service has issued the 2011 spring plowing schedule for the west end of the Beartooth Highway from the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park to the Wyoming-Montana border close to Beartooth Pass.
According to Al Nash, YNP Public Affairs Officer, the following opening dates have been confirmed for May, 2011:
In Yellowstone National Park / Second Friday in May , 5/13/11:
Lake to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful, and South to Old Faithful opens to wheeled vehicles. These roads could open as early as the first Friday in May if snow and plow conditions allow. Cooke City via Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway intersection to the Long Lake gate shall open as soon thereafter as possible.
Beartooth Highway / Friday of Memorial Day weekend, 5/27/11: Long Lake Gate over the Beartooth will be open.
For the past several years YNPS plows have been successful in opening the section of the Beartooth Highway between Yellowstone's NE Entrance and Long Lake on the first weekend May.
Memorial Day Weekend each Year - May 28, 29 & 30, 2011
The entire Beartooth Highway is generally open seasonally from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-October depending on snowfall. To check road conditions and opening and closing dates travelers should call the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce at (406) 446-1718.
First Weekend in May each Year - May 7, 8 & 9, 2011
National Park road plowing crews arrive in Cooke City, Montana during the first weekend in May each year to being annual plowing of the Beartooth Highway from Cooke City, through the Wyoming section of highway, to the Wyoming/Montana border. Yellowstone Park's northeast entrance, via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway ( Wyoming Highway 296 ) is usually open to hearty visitors during or just after this first May weekend. To check road conditions call the Cooke City Chamber of Commerce at (406) 838-2495.
75th Anniversary Celebration - June 10, 11 & 12, 2011
2011 marks the 75th Anniversary of the completion and opening of the Beartooth Highway. The three gateway communities will be holding 75th Anniversary celebrations unique to their towns. Visit this web site for details of events and activities taking place during this special weekend!
The National Scenic Byways website provides the follow information:
Best Time to Drive: Driving from Red Lodge to Cooke City (east to west) in the morning and west to east in the afternoon will reduce glare.
High Season: Summer
Off Season: The byway is generally closed due to snow from October through April.
Shoulder Season: Check with the local area Chambers of Commerce for weather and road updates when traveling the byway in May, September, or October.
Spring: US 212 West from its junction with WY 296 into Cooke City and Yellowstone National Park opens in early May for the spring/summer travel season and remains open into October as snow conditions allow.
Summer: US 212 from Red Lodge, Montana south over Beartooth Plateau to its junction with the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WY 296) opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and remains open until mid-October as snow conditions allow.
Winter: US 212 West from its junction with WY 296 to Pilot Creek Trail head and Parking Area is open year-round and accessible for winter recreation. The Pilot Creek Trail head provides parking for snowmobile trailers for over-snow access to Cooke City.
Did you know?
The National Scenic Byways
website
provides byway
information including visitor reviews like this one:
"My son and I exited the northeast entrance of Yellowstone on a ten day Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota adventure. We were disappointed to see that the famous Beartooth Highway was closed due to four motorcycles slipping on freshly poured blacktop near the summit at 10900 ft. We were supposed to drive through to Red Lodge, Montana, but were diverted around on Chief Joseph Hwy. Just spectacular. Well worth the diversion. The Beartooth was reopened at 11 the next morning. As journalist Charles Kuralt professed, the most scenic byway in America, hands down. I have never seen so many awe-inspiring panoramas in my life. The many hundreds of sightseers were virtually all left speechless. My son, on predeployment leave overseas, was moved to see so many fellow citizens being so taken by an American gem. Posted by: wznoble on September 10, 2010 (traveled on August 7, 2010)"
The Beartooth Highway is considered an "orphan"?
No Federal or State agency claims actual ownership of the highway and it is truly an "orphan" road. Read more here...
Join
Friends of the
Beartooth
All-American Road
today!
A Photo Contest is
underway!
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the 75th Anniversary (2011) of the opening/completion of the Beartooth Highway, All-American Road, which is located along US 212 from Red Lodge, Montana to Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
| © Friends of the Beartooth All-American Road | P O Box 983 | Red Lodge, MT 59068 |
| info@beartoothhighway.com | www.beartoothhighway.com |
FBAAR Partners
| Red Lodge, MT | Cody WY | Cooke City, MT
