Beartooth Highway, Montana
Beartooth Highway
The Beartooth Highway has been called “the most beautiful drive in America,” by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt and if you have made this drive, you will agree!
Before you start your drive, check to make sure the road is open. At this elevation, a summer snowstorm can shut it down. To prepare for a summer opening, the road crews generally start clearing with snow plows in April with a target opening of Memorial weekend.
The Beartooth Highway is the section of U.S. Route 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. The distance between SilverGate and Cooke City is 3 miles and I think of them as the same destination during the summer. Silver Gate, the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park is open year-round but is primarily a summer destination. Cooke City is a summer-only destination where you will find restaurants, lodging, camping and shopping. You will generally find unique things from local artisans! Entering the Park through this entrance will land you in the Lamar Valley. Silver Gate and Cooke City are two tiny communities near the entrance gate. This area is popular for hiking, camping and photography during the summer and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Lodging and restaurants are unique to this area.
Charles Karault has said the Beartooth Highway is the most beautiful drive in America! The highway follows a series of steep switchbacks along the Montana – Wyoming border crossing the 10,947 ft. (3,337m) high Beartooth Pass. What you have is an elevation gain from 5,200 ft. (1,600 m) to 8,000 ft. (2,400 m) in a mere 12 miles (19 km). It is an exhilarating journey with many, many photo opportunities along the way. There are turnouts allowing you to stop and take in the view.
Being surrounded by wilderness, it is prime for outdoor activities. There are many small lakes to fly fish, hiking trails and guided horseback rides. In winter it is a mecca for snowmobiling and backcountry skiing. Even tho it is only 65 miles, it is easy to spend a full day enjoying the area.
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