Beartooth Highway
Red Lodge to Cooke City · Montana · US 212
Distance64.0mi · 103 km
Drive time2 h 14 min
DifficultyDemanding
Mountain
Switchbacks to nearly 11,000 ft on the Montana–Wyoming line.
The US 212 Beartooth Highway climbs in dramatic switchbacks to the Beartooth Pass at 3,337 m between Red Lodge and the Yellowstone gate at Cooke City, a high, wild plateau of tundra, lakes and lingering snow. Open only in summer; mind the altitude, the fast-changing weather, and the long climbs.
Character
Corners36
Max gradient9%
High point3312 m10866 ft
Elevation range1616 m
SummerAutumn
Elevation
Know before you go
- High altitude and thin air
- Snow and storms even in summer
- Long unguarded climbs
Along the road
- viewpoint Pilot-Index overlook
- viewpoint Crazy Creek
- viewpoint Pilot & Index
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Beartooth Highway.
