Going for a scenic drive in Montana often merely means climbing into your vehicle and cruising down any given highway. After all, the Treasure State is home to some of the most stunning highways and byways in the U.S., and there’s no better state for road tripping.
But if you’re looking to fall in love with Montana all over again and remind yourself of the many reasons you enjoy living here, we can’t recommend a better drive than the Beartooth Highway. There’s just something about this stretch of winding road that is incomparable.
The Beartooth Highway, also known as an “All American Road,” is a magnificent highway that connects Montana to Wyoming.
Jasperdo / Flickr Given its location, it should come as no surprise that the highway is only open seasonally. Plan a late spring (it opens Memorial Day weekend) or early summer road trip if you want to beat the mid-summer crowds.
Montana’s portion of the Beartooth Highway is a stunning 68-mile stretch that takes you from Red Lodge to Cooke City and Silvergate.
Jasperdo / Flickr To reach the highway from Red Lodge, just take U.S. Highway 212 and follow the signs.
The road climbs 5,000 feet through the forest and rugged mountains, taking you straight to some of the most breathtaking alpine lake views and lush green land you’ll ever see.
davidegg22 / YouTube Make the drive during wildflower season for a real treat.
There are plenty of viewpoints along the way. Take advantage of them.
davidegg22 / YouTube Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you’ll definitely want to take things slowly so you can take it all in.
Believe it or not, you’ll even cross the 45th parallel, the halfway point between the North Pole and equator, on this drive.
davidegg22 / YouTube And for a moment, you’ll feel a bit like you’re hovering above the Earth.
You can make this drive 50 different times and have 50 different experiences.
davidegg22 / YouTube It’s a quintessential cruise for all Montanans, whether you’re heading to Yellowstone National Park or simply out for a Sunday drive.
Have you ever experienced the Beartooth Highway? To tide you over until it’s open, we found a fantastic YouTube video by Davidegg22:
Jasperdo / Flickr
Given its location, it should come as no surprise that the highway is only open seasonally. Plan a late spring (it opens Memorial Day weekend) or early summer road trip if you want to beat the mid-summer crowds.
To reach the highway from Red Lodge, just take U.S. Highway 212 and follow the signs.
davidegg22 / YouTube
Make the drive during wildflower season for a real treat.
Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you’ll definitely want to take things slowly so you can take it all in.
And for a moment, you’ll feel a bit like you’re hovering above the Earth.
It’s a quintessential cruise for all Montanans, whether you’re heading to Yellowstone National Park or simply out for a Sunday drive.
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Address: Beartooth Highway, Beartooth Hwy, Red Lodge, MT, USA
