The short answer
The Beartooth Highway (US-212) climbs from Red Lodge, Montana, to 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass and down to Cooke City at Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance — 68 miles of switchbacks, alpine lakes and snowfields. Red Lodge is about 150 miles (2.5 hours) from Bozeman, and the road is typically open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October.
What to do
Top things to do at Beartooth Highway & Red Lodge
Beartooth Pass
At 10,947 feet, one of the highest paved roads in the Northern Rockies.
Alpine lakes
Dozens of tarns and lakes line the plateau, with short walks from pullouts.
Red Lodge
A historic mining town turned mountain resort town.
Cooke City
A tiny outpost at the Northeast Entrance, gateway to Lamar Valley.
By van
Getting there in a van
Take I-90 east to Columbus, MT-78 south to Red Lodge, and climb US-212 over the pass to Cooke City. Return through Lamar Valley, Mammoth and Paradise Valley for a classic loop.
- Use low gears on long descents to save the brakes — a loaded van gets heavy.
- Snow can close the pass even in summer; check MDT 511 and WYDOT the morning you go.
- Plan fuel in Red Lodge and Cooke City; there’s none on the pass.
Pack list
What to bring to Beartooth Highway & Red Lodge
- Warm jackets — it can snow at the top in July
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Snacks and water
- Motion-sickness remedies for switchbacks
FAQ
Beartooth Highway & Red Lodge: common questions
When is the Beartooth Highway open?
Typically from the Friday before Memorial Day to mid-October, weather permitting. Late-spring storms can delay opening and summer snow can close it briefly.
Can you drive the Beartooth Highway in a 15-passenger van?
Yes, it’s a paved highway. Take switchbacks slowly, use pullouts for photos and use lower gears on the descents.
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