Beartooth Highway
Red Lodge, MT
High-altitude switchbacks on the way to Yellowstone.
The Route
Open in Google Maps →- Red Lodge, MTStart
- Rock Creek Vista Point
- Beartooth Pass
- Top of the World Store
- Beartooth Lake
- Island Lake
The Ride
The highway reaches a summit of 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass, making it the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.
Rider Stops Near This Route
Dealers, bars and campgrounds from our atlas near this route's home base — real distances, not ads.
Common Questions
How long does it take to ride Beartooth Highway?
Plan on 2 to 3 hours for the 68 miles, more if you stop at overlooks like Rock Creek Vista Point.
When is Beartooth Highway open?
It's seasonal, typically opening the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and closing by mid-October — 2026 opened around May 22. Mountain weather can force temporary closures even in summer, so check MDT's road conditions before you ride.
Where's the fuel gap on this route?
The longest stretch without gas runs about 38 miles, so fill up in Red Lodge or Cooke City before crossing the pass.
How difficult are the switchbacks?
The first 12 miles out of Red Lodge climb through the steepest switchbacks on a paved, well-maintained surface; riders describe it as demanding in elevation and weather rather than technically dangerous.
What's at the top?
Rock Creek Vista Point, about 21 miles from Red Lodge at roughly 9,190 feet, is the main overlook before the road continues to the 10,947-foot summit at Beartooth Pass.
What should I pair this ride with?
Continue past Cooke City into Yellowstone's northeast entrance, or link up with the nearby Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.