Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

Beartooth Highway to WY-120

Greater Yellowstone · Wyoming · United States

Key measurements

Distance

45.9 miles

Elevation gain

5,551 ft

Elevation loss

3,397 ft

High point

8,065 ft

Low point

4,923 ft

Net change

2,156 ft (4,957 ft to 7,114 ft)

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

Wyoming Highway 296, universally known as the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, cuts through the rugged terrain of the Absaroka Range in northwest Wyoming. Connecting Highway 120 north of Cody to the Beartooth Highway (US-212) near Cooke City, this 45.9-mile route serves as a crucial alpine corridor between the Bighorn Basin and the northeastern gate of Yellowstone National Park.

The trip begins on the high sagebrush plains near Mantua at 4,923 feet before launching into a steep, twisting ascent up the eastern face of the mountains. It tops out at Dead Indian Pass (8,065 feet) near Mile 13.2, where the geography abruptly shifts from open plains views to deep canyon vistas. From the pass, the road drops precipitously into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River basin, crossing Sunlight Creek via Wyoming's highest bridge before tracking west-northwest through high-country meadows and coniferous forests to its junction with US-212.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway Corridor — Miles 0.0–45.9

Beginning at the junction with US-120, the route immediately starts climbing out of the Bighorn Basin foothill country. The early miles climb continuously through a series of broad switchbacks and sweeping bends up the eastern flank of the Absaroka Range. Reach Dead Indian Pass at Mile 13.2, the highest point on the route (8,065 feet), which provides an expansive view into the deep gorge of the Clarks Fork River.

Beyond the pass, the highway rapidly sheds elevation into the canyon basin via tightly stacked downhill turns. At Mile 23.0, the route crosses the Sunlight Creek Bridge, spanning a 1,200-foot-deep gorge. Continuing westward, the road levels out somewhat into a high mountain river valley, framed by the Beartooth Mountains to the north and the Absarokas to the south. The final 20 miles climb gently through subalpine forest, open parkland, and rock outcrops, finishing at the junction with US-212.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

This is a high-altitude mountain corridor subject to severe weather changes. While the state strives to keep WY-296 open year-round, winter conditions and heavy snowfall can force temporary closures or make travel hazardous from late autumn into late spring.

Summer afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, often bringing sudden drops in temperature, heavy rain, hail, and high mountain wind gusts across exposed stretches like Dead Indian Pass. Early morning or late evening rides carry significant temperature swings; ambient temperatures at the 8,000-foot summit can be 15–20 degrees cooler than the floor of the Bighorn Basin.

Logistics & Services

There are no commercial services, gas stations, or full-service mechanical facilities along the 45.9 miles of WY-296. Fuel must be secured beforehand in Cody (30 miles south of the eastern terminus) or further west in Cooke City/Silver Gate once you hit US-212.

Cellular service is nonexistent for almost the entire stretch of Highway 296. Emergency call boxes are located at select pullouts, including Dead Indian Pass, but riders should plan for complete digital disconnection while on the corridor.

Important Considerations

Wildlife Hazards: The Clarks Fork Valley and surrounding Shoshone National Forest are prime habitat for grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, and mule deer. Open range grazing is also present; cattle can frequently be found on or immediately adjacent to the roadway in the valley bottom. * Rockfall: The steep canyon walls and rock cuts—particularly along the descent from Dead Indian Pass down to Sunlight Creek—are prone to rockfall after heavy rain or freeze-thaw cycles.