Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "the most beautiful drive in America." He wasn't exaggerating. US-212 climbs from the small Montana town of Red Lodge through 20 switchbacks to a summit plateau at 10,947 feet — above the treeline, above most weather, and above anything you've probably driven before.

This isn't just a scenic drive. The Beartooth Highway is one of the most dramatic elevation changes you can experience on a paved road in the United States. You start in a mountain valley and end up on an alpine plateau where snow persists into July, the road drops away on both sides into massive basins, and the sky feels like it's sitting directly on top of you.

Here's the essential info: Beartooth Highway (US-212) runs 68 miles between Red Lodge, Montana and the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park near Cooke City. It climbs to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass — the highest driveable point in Montana and Wyoming. The road typically opens in late May and closes in mid-October. It features roughly 20 switchbacks on the main climb, sweeping curves across the alpine plateau, and stunning high-altitude terrain above the treeline.

Table of Contents

• Beartooth Highway Quick Facts
• What Makes Beartooth Highway Special
• Section-by-Section Breakdown
• The Switchback Climb
• The Alpine Plateau
• Best Direction to Drive
• Best Times to Drive Beartooth Highway
• Seasonal Opening and Closure
• Hazards and Altitude Considerations
• Nearby Facilities
• FAQ

Beartooth Highway Quick Facts

What Makes Beartooth Highway Special

Plenty of mountain roads have switchbacks. Plenty have big views. What makes the Beartooth unlike anything else in the Lower 48 is the alpine plateau.

Most mountain passes climb to a summit and immediately descend. The Beartooth climbs to nearly 11,000 feet and then stays there. For miles, the road crosses an open, treeless plateau scattered with alpine lakes, snowfields that persist into midsummer, and rock formations that look lunar. You're driving through a landscape that most Americans only see from the window of a commercial flight.

The combination is rare:

• Tight, stacked switchbacks on the climb — proper mountain driving with genuine elevation between each hairpin
• Sweeping high-altitude curves across the plateau — fast, open, with views that extend to the horizon in every direction
• A descent into the Yellowstone ecosystem with forest roads and creek crossings

All of this in 68 miles. There's nothing else quite like it in the continental US.

Section-by-Section Breakdown: Beartooth

Red Lodge to Rock Creek Vista (Miles 0-15)

The road leaves Red Lodge climbing through Rock Creek Canyon — a forested valley with moderate sweeping curves. This section warms you up gently. The road is wide, the pavement is good, and the scenery transitions from ranchland to evergreen forest.

You'll pass several campgrounds and trailheads. Traffic is generally light except during peak Yellowstone season (July-August).

The Switchback Climb (Miles 15-30)

This is the main event on the eastern side. The road attacks the mountainside with a series of roughly 20 switchbacks that climb from about 7,000 feet to the summit plateau at nearly 11,000 feet.

The switchbacks are wide and well-engineered — this isn't a narrow European Alpine pass. The hairpins are sweeping enough that you don't need to slow to a crawl, but tight enough that you need to be deliberate with your line.

What makes this climb unusual is how exposed it becomes. As you gain altitude, the trees disappear. The last few switchbacks are completely above the treeline, carved into bare rock with nothing between you and massive drop-offs. On a clear day, you can look back and see the switchbacks you just climbed stacked below you like a ribbon.

This is where having advance knowledge of each corner really matters. When you're climbing through exposed switchbacks with drop-offs and variable wind, knowing whether the next bend tightens or opens changes how you set up for it. Rods provides exactly that — real-time audio callouts telling you the severity of each upcoming corner, whether it tightens, and what follows it. On a climb with 20 switchbacks and increasing altitude, that's information you genuinely want.

The Summit Plateau (Miles 30-45)

Above 10,000 feet, the road levels out onto the alpine plateau. This is the surreal section — the part that makes the Beartooth unlike any other drive in the US.

The road crosses open tundra dotted with alpine lakes, snowfields, and wildflower meadows (in July-August). Corners are mostly sweeping and fast, following the terrain contours. The sense of exposure is extraordinary — there are no trees, no guardrails in many spots, and the terrain drops away on both sides.

Beartooth Pass (10,947 ft) is marked with a sign and a small parking area. Stop here. The 360-degree view is one of the best you'll get from a car in North America.

Descent to Cooke City (Miles 45-68)

The western descent drops from the plateau back into forested terrain, passing several alpine lakes (Beartooth Lake, Island Lake) before reaching the valley floor. The corners on this side are generally smoother and more sweeping than the eastern switchbacks.

The road follows the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River through a beautiful forested valley. Traffic increases as you approach Cooke City and the Yellowstone Northeast entrance.

Best Direction to Drive Beartooth

East to west (Red Lodge to Cooke City) is the classic direction and arguably the better driving experience. The switchback climb builds anticipation, the summit plateau is a dramatic reveal, and the descent into the Yellowstone ecosystem is a satisfying conclusion.

West to east puts the switchback descent on the eastern side, which is more challenging — you're descending tight switchbacks with big exposure and thin air. Some drivers prefer this for the added challenge.

If you're visiting Yellowstone, the natural routing is to drive the Beartooth east-to-west as an entrance to the park.

Best Times to Drive Beartooth Highway

• Late June through September is the primary season. The road may not fully open until early June in heavy snow years.
• July — Snow walls may still line the road at the summit, creating a dramatic corridor effect. Wildflowers bloom on the plateau.
• September — Fall colors begin in the lower sections. Traffic drops significantly after Labor Day. This is the sweet spot.
• Early morning — Best light for photography, least traffic, clearest skies before afternoon thunderstorms build.

Avoid:

• Midday in July/August — peak tourist traffic heading to Yellowstone
• Afternoon in summer — thunderstorms develop regularly above 10,000 feet. Lightning on the exposed plateau is dangerous.

Beartooth Highway Seasonal Opening

The Beartooth Highway closes every winter due to snow. It's one of the last roads in the region to open each spring.

• Typical opening: Late May to early June
• Typical closing: Mid-October (first significant snowfall)
• Occasional closures: Summer snowstorms can temporarily close the summit section even in July

Check current status: Montana DOT (511mt.net) and Wyoming DOT (wyoroad.info) both post real-time conditions.

Important: Even when "open," the summit can experience sudden weather changes. Snow, hail, and near-freezing temperatures are possible above 10,000 feet in any month. Carry a jacket even in August.

Hazards on Beartooth Highway

• Altitude effects — At 10,947 feet, the air has roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level. Naturally aspirated engines lose noticeable power. You may feel lightheaded or short of breath if you're not acclimated. Stay hydrated.
• Weather changes — Conditions at the summit can shift from clear skies to snow/hail within 30 minutes. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
• Wind — The exposed plateau gets strong crosswinds. High-profile vehicles and motorcycles are particularly affected.
• Wildlife — Mountain goats, marmots, and bighorn sheep are common near the summit. They sometimes stand in the road. Moose and bears are present in the forested sections.
• RVs and tour buses — The Beartooth is a popular RV route to Yellowstone. Slow-moving large vehicles in the switchbacks can back up traffic. Patience matters.
• Frost heave and surface damage — The freeze-thaw cycle at altitude can create rough patches and potholes, especially early in the season.
• No cell service — Most of the highway has no cell coverage. Plan your route and download what you need before leaving Red Lodge or Cooke City.

At nearly 11,000 feet with no cell service and weather that changes in minutes, the Beartooth demands respect. Bring warm clothes, a full tank, and your attention.

Nearby Facilities: Beartooth

• Fuel — Red Lodge (east, full services) and Cooke City (west, limited). No fuel on the highway itself. Fill up before you start.
• Food — Red Lodge has restaurants and shops. Cooke City has basic amenities. Nothing on the highway between them.
• Lodging — Red Lodge and Cooke City both have hotels and cabins. Several campgrounds along the highway (first-come, first-served mostly).
• Restrooms — At vista points and campgrounds along the route.
• Cell service — Essentially none on the highway. Available in Red Lodge and Cooke City.
• Emergency — 911 works intermittently. Know your mile markers.

For more high-altitude driving experiences, the best driving roads in the world guide covers the great mountain passes globally. And the canyon roads guide has more US-specific driving road recommendations.

FAQ: Beartooth Highway

When does Beartooth Highway open? Typically late May to early June, depending on snowpack. The road closes again in mid-October. Summer snowstorms can cause temporary closures at the summit even in July. Check Montana DOT (511mt.net) or Wyoming DOT (wyoroad.info) for real-time conditions.

How long does it take to drive Beartooth Highway? The 68 miles take roughly 2 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace with a few photo stops. You can do it faster, but the views above the treeline deserve your time. Budget extra if you want to stop at Beartooth Pass summit and the alpine lakes.

Is Beartooth Highway dangerous? The road is well-engineered with wide switchbacks. The main risks are altitude-related: thin air affecting you and your car, sudden weather changes, strong crosswinds on the exposed plateau, and no cell service for most of the drive. Come prepared with fuel, warm clothes, and water.

Can I see the Beartooth Highway switchbacks from above? Yes. Several pullouts on the upper switchbacks offer views looking back down the climb, where you can see the road stacked below you in a series of zigzags across the mountainside. The view from the summit plateau looking east is one of the most dramatic road-engineering vistas in the US.