Beartooth Highway Map + 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary
The most beautiful drive in America, Red Lodge to Yellowstone, in five days.
5-day Beartooth Highway road trip from Red Lodge, Montana over the 10,947-ft Beartooth Pass to Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance, the Lamar Valley, Cody, Wyoming, and back along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
21 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Beartooth Highway: every stop pinned in order.
Beartooth Pass · Lamar Valley · Chief Joseph Byway · Montana & Wyoming
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Beartooth Highway in photos: 4 of the stops.
Plan and book your 5 days in Beartooth Highway, one step at a time
- The Beartooth Highway (US-212) and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) are projected to close for the season on October 12, 2026, earlier if snow comes; after that, Cooke City is reachable only through Yellowstone's North Entrance. Source
- Dunraven Pass (Tower Fall to Canyon), the day 3 route to the East Entrance, is also projected to close October 12, 2026, and the East Entrance road closes October 31. Source
- The Northeast Entrance Road just east of Tower Junction has up to 30-minute construction delays through November; budget extra time on day 3. Source
How 5 days in Beartooth Highway split up
Plan 5 days for Beartooth Highway. Route: Red Lodge → Yellowstone. High point: 10,947 ft. Permits: Park fee. The Beartooth Highway is a National Scenic Byway that Charles Kuralt famously called "the most beautiful drive in America." This 5-day road trip runs from Red Lodge, Montana over the 10,947-ft Beartooth Pass to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, through the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley, down to Cody, Wyoming, and back over the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
Day 1: Arrive in Red Lodge & Beartooth Pass East
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: Beartooth Pass & Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance · 68 mi
5 stops · Day two
Day 3: Lamar Valley, Tower-Roosevelt & Drive to Cody
5 stops · Day three
Day 4: Cody, Wyoming & the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
4 stops · Day four
Day 5: Beartooth Highway West & Departure
3 stops · Day five
Arrive in Red Lodge & Beartooth Pass East
Fly into Billings Logan International (BIL) and drive the ~60 miles (1.5 hours) south to Red Lodge, Montana, a historic mining town at 5,549 ft and the eastern gateway to the Beartooth Highway. Settle in and stroll the charming downtown of shops, breweries, and restaurants.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive from
~60 mi · 1.5 hr on US-212 S · rental car required · DriveFly into Billings Logan International (BIL), the most convenient airport for the Beartooth Highway, and drive about 60 miles (1.5 hours) south on US-212 to Red Lodge. Pick up a rental car, a road trip up here is not doable without one.
Tumbleweed1954 / CC BY-SA 4.0Red Lodge, MTGateway town · elevation 5,549 ft · lodgeRed Lodge is a historic mining town at 5,549 ft and the eastern gateway to the Beartooth Highway. Settle into your lodging and explore the charming downtown of shops, breweries, and restaurants before dinner.
Rock Creek Vista Point~9,200 ft · overlook · restrooms · interpretive signs · ViewpointDrive the first ~20 miles of the Beartooth Highway up to Rock Creek Vista Point to acclimate. This popular overlook at roughly 9,200 ft has restrooms, interpretive signs, and expansive views over the Rock Creek drainage. It is often very windy.
- Dinner in Red Lodge
Local dining · relaxed atmosphere · activityReturn to Red Lodge for dinner. Options range from casual pub fare and pizza to more upscale dining, reflecting the town's blend of cowboy culture and outdoor enthusiasts. Several local breweries round out the evening.
Beartooth Pass & Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance · 68 mi
Today you conquer the full Beartooth Highway, cresting at Beartooth Pass (10,947 ft), the highest point in the region. Above the treeline the road crosses open tundra, glacial lakes, and dramatic peaks, with snow patches often lingering into July. Take your time at the pull-offs and 360-degree summit views.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Beartooth Highway full drive
68 mi · 3–4 hr · Red Lodge to Cooke City · DriveDrive the entire Beartooth Highway today. This iconic route crests above the treeline, crossing tundra, glacial lakes, and dramatic peaks. Take your time at the numerous scenic pull-offs, and expect snow even in summer at higher elevations.
- Beartooth Pass summit
10,947 ft · panoramic views · restrooms · ViewpointStop at the Beartooth Pass summit for breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding wilderness. At 10,947 ft it is the highest point of the drive, often windy and cold even on a summer day, with snow patches persisting into July.
Matt Lavin / CC BY-SA 2.0Island Lake short walk (optional)Easy alpine-lake stroll off US-212 · HikeFor an easy leg-stretcher, walk the short trail to Island Lake, a beautiful alpine lake (~9,500 ft) just off the Beartooth Highway near Island Lake Campground. It is relatively flat, well-maintained, and good for all ages and fitness levels.
See the trail →- Cooke City, MT
Yellowstone gateway · elevation 7,608 ft · lodgeArrive in Cooke City, a small, rustic town just outside Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance and the last services before the park. Lodging and dining are limited, so book ahead. This is your base for exploring the park's northern reaches.
- Acroterion / CC BY-SA 4.0Yellowstone Northeast Entrance to Lamar Valley
$35/vehicle fee · ~15 mi to wildlife viewing · DriveEnter Yellowstone via the Northeast Entrance and drive into the Lamar Valley, renowned for abundant wildlife including bison, elk, and often wolves. A 7-day vehicle pass is $35. Prime viewing is early morning or late evening, use pull-offs and never stop in the road.
Official info →
Lamar Valley, Tower-Roosevelt & Drive to Cody
Spend the morning on the Lamar Valley wildlife drive, often called "America's Serengeti," scanning for bison herds, elk, pronghorn, and, if you're lucky, wolves or bears. Continue to the Tower-Roosevelt area for Tower Fall, a 132-ft plunge reached by a short paved path, and the roadside Petrified Tree, a fossilized redwood from Yellowstone's ancient forests.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Greg Willis from Denve / CC BY-SA 2.0Lamar Valley wildlife drive~20 mi · 2–4 hr · prime wildlife viewing · DriveSpend the morning driving the Lamar Valley, often called "America's Serengeti." Look for bison herds, elk, pronghorn, and possibly wolves or bears. Viewing is best at dawn or dusk, bring binoculars or a spotting scope and keep safe distances from all wildlife.
- Tower Fall
0.5 mi RT · paved overlook · 132-ft waterfall · ViewpointVisit Tower Fall, a 132-ft waterfall on Tower Creek near the Tower-Roosevelt area. A short paved path leads to the overlook, with a picnic area and the historic ranger station nearby.
Official info → - Petrified Tree
Short walk · fossilized redwood · ViewpointSee a petrified redwood, a fossilized tree stump from Yellowstone's ancient forests reached by a short, steep walk. It is part of the Specimen Ridge fossil forests, a striking window into the park's deep geologic past.
Leonard J. DeFrancisci / CC BY-SA 3.0Drive to Cody via East Entrance~110 mi · ~3 hr · Dunraven Pass, Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway · DriveFrom Tower, cross Dunraven Pass to Canyon, skirt Yellowstone Lake, exit via the East Entrance and drive the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to Cody, following the North Fork of the Shoshone River through rugged canyons. You pass Pahaska Tepee, Buffalo Bill's hunting lodge, and reservoir and dam views near town.
Acroterion / CC BY-SA 3.0Cody, WYOld-West town · elevation 5,016 ft · lodgeCheck into your lodging in Cody, Wyoming, at 5,016 ft. Founded by Buffalo Bill, this vibrant town offers a taste of the Old West, home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and a famous nightly rodeo in season.
Cody, Wyoming & the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
Spend the morning in Cody, the "Rodeo Capital of the World," founded by Buffalo Bill himself. Tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, five museums under one roof covering Western art, firearms, natural history, and Plains Indian culture, and if you're visiting June–August, catch the nightly Cody Nite Rodeo.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Paul Hermans / CC BY-SA 3.0Buffalo Bill Center of the WestFive museums · 3–4 hr · admission applies · activitySpend the morning at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, five museums under one roof, including the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and Whitney Western Art Museum. Plan at least 3–4 hours.
Operator info →
CGP Grey / CC BY 2.0Cody Nite Rodeo (seasonal, optional)Nightly Jun–Aug · family friendly · activityIf visiting June through August, catch the Cody Nite Rodeo, America's longest-running nightly rodeo, showcasing professional rodeo action. Tickets are available at the gate or online, and it is fun for all ages.
Operator info →- Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296)
~47 mi · 1.5–2 hr · Dead Indian Pass · Sunlight Basin · DriveDrive the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296), a spectacular road connecting Cody to the Beartooth Highway near Cooke City. Named for Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, it crosses Dead Indian Pass and the Sunlight Creek Bridge, Wyoming's highest, with dramatic Absaroka Mountain and Sunlight Basin views.
Ildar Sagdejev (Specio / CC BY-SA 4.0Overnight in Cooke City, MTConvenient for the return drive · lodgeReturn to Cooke City for your final night. This positions you perfectly for tomorrow's drive back over the Beartooth Highway. Dining and gas are available, the last chance for supplies before heading east over the pass.
Beartooth Highway West & Departure
On your final day, drive the Beartooth Highway one more time, west to east from Cooke City back to Red Lodge. The changing light and reversed perspective reveal overlooks you rushed past on Day 2, and the long descent into Rock Creek Canyon is a fitting finale. Stop for a short optional walk near the Gardner Lake Trailhead if you have time.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Beartooth Highway west section68 mi · 2 hr · Cooke City to Red Lodge · DriveDrive the Beartooth Highway again, this time west to east. The changing light and reversed perspective reveal overlooks you rushed past on Day 2, and the long descent into Rock Creek Canyon offers final views of the high-alpine plateau.
Gardner Lake Trailhead short walk (optional)~1.5 mi RT · 300 ft · moderate · HikeFor a final stretch, walk the short trail near the Gardner Lake Trailhead, off a spur road from the highway, for views of the lake and surrounding peaks. It can be muddy or snowy early in the season and links to more extensive backcountry trails.
See the trail →- Drive to Billings airport (BIL)
~60 mi · 1.5 hr · Red Lodge to Billings · DriveFrom Red Lodge, drive north ~60 miles on US-212 to Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) for your departure. Allow extra time for traffic in Billings, then return the rental car and fly home, concluding your Beartooth Highway adventure.
Book the 4 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the checking. We find what is still open near each trailhead and email you this plan back with a booking link for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Beartooth Highway
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
Specific to Beartooth Highway
Essential road & wilderness rules & planning.
Mountain driving & road closures
The Beartooth Highway has steep grades, hairpin switchbacks, and elevations to 10,947 ft. Drive it comfortably in daylight, use low gears on descents, and be cautious at pull-offs. The pass is closed roughly mid-October to late May; always check the Montana (MDT) and Wyoming (WYDOT) road-condition sites, it can close for snow even in summer.
Bear safety, grizzly country
This is prime grizzly and black bear country. Carry bear spray, know how to deploy it, and make noise on trails. Store food in bear-resistant containers or hung, and never approach wildlife. Keep 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from bison and elk.
Yellowstone entrance fee & permits
A 7-day Yellowstone vehicle pass is $35 (check current rates), bought at any entrance station or on recreation.gov; there is no timed entry at the Northeast Entrance. No permit is needed to drive the highway. Overnight backcountry trips in Yellowstone need a permit (reservations open in January via recreation.gov, $10 plus $5/person/night).
Go late June through early October
Early summer brings wildflowers and snow-capped peaks but lingering snow on high trails. August to early September is the most stable, with fewer crowds than peak July. Late September to early October adds fall color at lower elevations, but expect cold and possible early snow closures on the pass.
Book gateway lodging early
Red Lodge, Cooke City, and Cody are small; book 3–6 months out for summer. Any in-park Yellowstone lodging or campground books 6–12 months out. Cooke City in particular has very limited beds and dining.
Pack for altitude & bring binoculars
Weather changes fast up high, so pack warm layers, a waterproof shell, and sun protection. Cell service is unreliable, carry physical maps or download offline navigation. Binoculars or a spotting scope transform the Lamar Valley wildlife viewing.
Stock up in Billings, supplies thin out fast
The gateway towns are tiny. Buy a cooler, ice, snacks, packed lunches, and sports drinks in Billings before you head to Red Lodge on Day 1, and you will save real money over the small hubs. Cooke City in particular is rustic, with minimal grocery selection and limited, pricey fuel, so top off the tank and load the cooler before you get there. Even with an 80F forecast down in Billings or Cody, keep a heavy down jacket, a winter beanie, and windproof layers within reach for the cold plateau overlooks.
Beartooth Highway: questions before you go
Beartooth Highway: the questions people ask most.
Costs vary. Budget for the Yellowstone entrance fee ($35/vehicle), fuel (it is a long drive), lodging ($100–300+/night for hotels, $20–35/night for campgrounds), food, and any tours. A conservative estimate for a 5-day trip for two people ranges from about $1,000 to $2,500+, excluding airfare.
No specific permit is required to drive the Beartooth Highway itself. However, entering Yellowstone National Park requires the park entrance fee ($35/vehicle for 7 days). Overnight backpacking in Yellowstone or certain surrounding wilderness areas requires a backcountry permit.
It is a challenging but rewarding drive with numerous switchbacks, steep grades, and high elevations up to 10,947 ft. Drivers should be comfortable with mountain roads and prepared for rapid weather changes even in summer. RVs and trailers are permitted but should exercise caution on the tight turns.
The pass is typically open from late May (Memorial Day weekend) to mid-October, weather permitting, and closed the rest of the year for snow. The best window is late June through early October: wildflowers and snow-capped peaks early, stable weather in August–September, and fall color in early October. Always check MDT and WYDOT road conditions.
Book as far ahead as possible, especially for July and August. Yellowstone in-park hotels and campgrounds can fill 6–12 months out. Lodging in the gateway towns, Red Lodge, Cooke City, and Cody, should be booked 3–6 months in advance, as they are small with limited rooms.
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) in Montana is the most convenient, about a 1.5-hour (60-mile) drive to Red Lodge, the eastern gateway. Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) and Jackson Hole (JAC) are alternatives but involve longer drives to the start.
Yes, but only for drivers experienced with mountain roads. The highway has steep grades and tight turns, so take your time, use lower gears on descents, and be mindful of your vehicle's size at overlooks and pull-offs.
Yes. The longer you are up here, the higher your odds of hitting a sudden high-altitude storm, and even in July or August a snap system can drop below freezing and close the summit for roughly a day or two, splitting the loop in two. Download the Montana (MDT) and Wyoming (WYDOT) road-condition apps rather than trusting your built-in GPS, and check them every morning to confirm the 10,947-ft pass is open before you commit to a leg.
They can. Herds crossing the road create "bison jams" that freeze traffic, and during the late-summer rut a single crossing can hold cars for well over an hour. Build a loose buffer into your Lamar Valley mornings instead of a rigid transit schedule, stay in your vehicle during a jam, and never try to squeeze past moving animals.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 5-day route. Same 9 stops.
- 1 night, a campsite near Red Lodge
- $20
- 1 night, a campsite near Cooke City
- $20
- 1 night, a campsite near Cody
- $20
- 1 night, a campsite near Cooke City
- $20
- Rental car, 5 days
- $475
- Gas, about 542 miles
- $100
- 1 night, a room at Red Lodge
- from $230
- 1 night, a room in Cooke City
- from $175
- 1 night, a room in Cody
- from $205
- 1 night, a room in Cooke City
- from $175
- Rental car, 5 days
- $475
- Gas, about 542 miles
- $100
- A private local guide, rooms and campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked October 2026
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What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
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