Beartooth Highway

Red Lodge to Cooke City

Greater Yellowstone · Montana · United States

Key measurements

Distance

64.4 miles

Elevation gain

7,606 ft

Elevation loss

5,617 ft

High point

10,951 ft

Low point

5,580 ft

Net change

1,990 ft (5,591 ft to 7,581 ft)

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 64.4-mile trip on US Highway 212—the famous Beartooth Highway—is one of the most dramatic high-altitude paved routes in North America. Beginning at Cafe Regis in Red Lodge, Montana (elevation 5,580 ft), the route climbs relentlessly into the Beartooth Mountains, reaching a high point of 10,951 feet at Beartooth Pass (Mile 31.0) before dropping into Wyoming and re-entering Montana to terminate at Wooka's Wild Eats in Cooke City.

Totaling over 7,600 feet of cumulative elevation gain, the journey transitions rapidly from a mountain valley stream bed to sheer cliffside switchbacks, sprawling alpine tundra above treeline, and high-basin lakes before descending into the dense evergreen forests surrounding the northeastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Rock Creek Canyon to the Beartooth Wall — Miles 0.3–20.3

Leaving the town of Red Lodge, the route heads south along Rock Creek, initialing a gentle gradient through pine forests and valley bottoms. Near Mile 7, the valley narrows sharply and the real ascent begins. US-212 climbs along the eastern face of the Beartooth Mountains via a relentless series of engineered switchbacks known as the Beartooth Wall. As altitude increases, dense lodgepole pine gives way to subalpine fir, revealing massive, exposed drop-offs into the Rock Creek drainage below. The road geometry in this section consists of tight hairpin turns connected by steep, climbing bench cuts carved directly into the granite walls.

Alpine Plateau and Descent to Cooke City — Miles 20.7–64.4

Crossing above the treeline around Mile 21, the landscape opens into a vast alpine plateau that remains above 10,000 feet for miles. The route crosses the Montana-Wyoming state line as it approaches Beartooth Pass at Mile 31.0 (10,951 ft), where exposed tundra, year-round snowpack, and glacial lakes dominate the landscape. Beyond the pass, the road glides past high-alpine landmarks such as Top of the World and Beartooth Lake before beginning a sustained descent through the Clark’s Fork River valley. Crossing back into Montana, the highway tracks beneath towering granite peaks into the dense forest basin that cradles Cooke City (elevation ~7,600 ft).

Seasonal & Environmental Context

The Beartooth Highway typically operates on a short seasonal window, opening in late May (Memorial Day weekend) and closing for the winter by mid-to-late October. However, due to its extreme elevation, high-altitude alpine weather dominates this route year-round.

Temperature differences between Red Lodge and the summit can exceed 30°F. Even in July and August, riders can encounter severe wind gusts across the exposed tundra, sudden freezing rain, sleet, hail, or dense fog that drastically reduces visibility. Afternoon thunderstorms are common over the plateau. Snow is possible in any month of the year, and temporary road closures for snow removal occur occasionally even during mid-summer.

Logistics & Services

Fuel & Supplies: Full services, premium fuel, and dining are available at both ends of the route in Red Lodge and Cooke City. Top of the World Store (located near Mile 38 in Wyoming) offers limited seasonal fuel and basic convenience items, but operating hours vary and supplies should not be strictly relied upon. Fill up in Red Lodge prior to departure. * Cellular Coverage: Signal is generally reliable in Red Lodge and Cooke City, but drops off entirely once deep in Rock Creek Canyon and remains nonexistent across almost the entire alpine plateau. * Time Allocation: Despite the short 64-mile distance, budget at least 2 to 2.5 hours of riding time. Slow-moving tourist traffic, RVs negotiating switchbacks, and sudden weather shifts frequently lower average speeds.

Important Considerations

Elevation Exposure: Extended travel above 10,000 feet can cause mild altitude sickness or fatigue. Ensure adequate hydration before and during the ride. * Road Hazards & Traffic: The alpine plateau is entirely unshielded from wind, and steep sections of the switchbacks feature steep drop-offs without guardrails. Late-spring snowmelt can leave gravel, sand, and water runoff across the asphalt in tight corners. * Traffic Congestion: Summer travel brings heavy tourist traffic, including wide recreational vehicles and slow-moving sightseers stopping near pullouts. * Wildlife: Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are common along the high plateau, while moose, deer, and grizzly bears frequent the lower forest drainages near Cooke City.