The New Best in the West Guide for the American West

Wyoming/Montana's Beartooth Highway (US-212)

The Beartooth Highway (US-212) is considered one of America's most spectacular alpine byways, offering rugged mountains, icy glaciers, and alpine meadows full of wildflowers as well as abundant wildlife. The highway holds the distinction of being the longest stretch of road running though alpine tundra in the world. The road is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies (Wyoming-Montana), reaching an elevation of 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass. It provides dramatic views, unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities - including twelve National Forest Service campgrounds, and unparalleled wildlife watching. (Photo, left: Rock Creek Vista Point, southern Montana)

The route runs 68 miles from Cooke City, Wyoming, to Red Lodge, Montana, through Gallatin National Forest, Shoshone National Forest, and Custer National Forest. The northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a short distance west of Cooke City. The road closes for the winter due to snow. Snowstorms can however occur at any time, and visitors should be aware of the weather forecast even in early June or late September. (Photo right: Pilot Peak)

Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (Wyoming-296)

The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (Wyoming-296) also offers exciting scenery and recreational opportunities. It leaves the Beartooth Highway (US-212) about ten miles east of Yellowstone and heads southeast, reaching Wyoming-120 15 miles north of Cody, Wyoming. Highway US-14-16-20 running from Cody to Yellowstone Lake also offers 80 miles of very exciting scenery, including the climb through Sylvan Pass at 8,541 feet. (Many visitors to the area stop at Cody due to the Buffalo Bill Museum and the nightly rodeo in the summer.) (Photo left: Sunlight Bridge, Chief Joseph Scenic Highway)

Map of Wyoming/Montana's Beartooth Highway (US-212)

Some features on this map can be clicked on to view further information.

More information:

• Northern Rockies Travel Guide - American West Travelogue
  
  
• Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide - American West Travelogue
  
  
• Beartooth Highway (U.S. Dept. of Transportation)
  
  

Best in the West Guide - Spectacular Scenic Routes

• Best in the West Guide - Introduction & Index
• Top Fifty Best Places to Visit in the West
  
  
• Arizona
  • Arizona's Apache Trail
  
  
• California
  • Big Sur Coast Highway - California Highway 1
  • Death Valley Scenic Byway
  
  
• Colorado
  • Colorado's Trail Ridge Road
  • San Juan Skyway
  
  
• Montana
  • Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Wyoming/Montana - Beartooth Highway
  
  
• South Dakota
  • Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
  
  
• Utah
  • Utah's Scenic Highway 12
  
  
• Wyoming
  • Wyoming/Montana - Beartooth Highway