Beartooth Pass

Beartooth Pass lies in Wyoming on U.S. 212 (the Beartooth Highway), near the Montana border. The road connects Red Lodge, Montana, with Cooke City and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park and is about 110 km (68 miles) long. Its highest point is 3,337 meters (10,947 feet); a table on Wikipedia gives 3,345 meters (10,974 feet). Construction began in 1932, and the highway was completed on June 14, 1936.

Over about 12 miles (19 km), the road climbs in switchbacks from roughly 1,580 meters (5,200 feet) to just under 3,340 meters (10,950 feet). Allow at least two to three hours of driving time; most travelers set aside half a day for viewpoints and short walks. The pass road is usually open from Memorial Day to about October 15 and may close earlier in snow (as of October 2026, the regular season has therefore ended). Snow often lingers at high elevations until early or mid-July, and snowstorms are possible even in summer.

For campers: Forest Service campgrounds lie along the route; Colter and Soda Butte near Cooke City are for hard-sided campers only. RVs may drive the route, but smaller ones are easier to handle on the steep grades and tight switchbacks. Fill up in Red Lodge or Cooke City, as services along the way are limited. Bears live in the region, so carry bear spray.