HAs you head down the switchbacks you get to see Beartooth Moutain from the base and it's a sight to see. Island Lake Campground Join the community!Love the outdoors? Take advantage of it!! and an easily accessed trail that is wheelchair friendly. Recommended day pack: Osprey Daylite Pack The highway is open to the public and there is no charge to use it. Woman-owned and operated since founder Hannah Oie built this modest cabin from local, hand-hewn logs, The Log Cabin Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day from May until October. The mountains got their name from a rugged peak found within the range that resembles a bear's tooth, and they border both the fossil-rich Bighorn Basin and the Absaroka Range. Theres a lot of information here, particularly if youre planning your first trip to Beartooth Highway. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Its a large boulder with a plaque commemorating the Crow Indian warrior Na Piet Say, who fought against the Lakota Sioux in the late 1800s. Receiving entries such as Highway to the Clouds Highway to the Skies and Highway to the Heavens, they eventually decided on Beartooth. I have visited here back in 2019. YELLOWSTONE & GRAND TETON: Learn how to plan the perfect trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton in our Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Planner. Sites are suitable for tent camping or boondocking. Originally founded in 1975 by husband and wife team Dr. Harold and Marjorie Woodman, the Cooke City Montana Museum is currently managed by their daughter, Kay Woodman. Facilities: Potable water, toilets Visit www.recreation.gov to check whats required and make sure to reserve space when possible. - Picnicking offers a relaxing way to take in views and to fuel the body for the remainder of your adventure. Another short series of switchbacks takes you up to Beartooth Pass. Electric sites are available for compatible RVs. Yellowstone Overlook It is also called Beartooth National Scenic Byway, Beartooth All-American Road, Highway 212, and the Red Lodge-Cooke City Highway. Highlights of Beartooth Highway in Stunning Photos Beartooth Highway is a section of US Route 212 that connects Red Lodge, Montana with Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana. A view of the Beartooth Highway switchbacks. This viewpoint is located near the top of the switchbacks. Busses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust Thanks Laci. There are several base areas suited to skiers of all levels, so beginners up to expert skiers should feel plenty challenged. You can hike the. It is 68 miles long. Thankfully there are places to stay while en route, especially if you like to camp. So do it before you start the highway and every chance you get. The end of Beartooth Highway at Cooke City is at an elevation of about 7,600 feet. Beartooth Basin is a popular destination located along the Beartooth Highway in Montana. Stepping out of the car and taking in the view of the infamous Bear's Tooth and seeing the numerous lakes that dot the landscape really paint the possibility of what the fishing can behold on the highway and beyond. Pilot and Index, perhaps the most unique in the area, stand somewhat in isolation, drawing even more attention. Some popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and picnicking. Season: Late June to Labor Day If you have a few days in Yellowstone and want to add on this scenic drive, you will have to set aside at least half of a day. Facilities: Fire rings, picnic tables, toilets, potable water, garbage pick-up Silver Gate is a small town in the Flathead Valley of Montana. It's a great route to take on your Montana road trip! The Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook along the Beartooth Highway in Montana offers breathtaking views of Pilot and Index Peaks, as well as the surrounding mountains and valleys. Theres a small parking lot from which a two-mile-long out-and-back trail leads to one of the Shoshone Valleys most beloved waterfalls. Every Memorial Day weekend there is a celebration here to mark the opening of the highway again for the summer. Bears, wolves, and other predators are often visible from a distance. Pullouts along the way allow visitors a chance to exit their cars and safely take photographs of the mountain scenery. With a general store, rustic cabins, and equipment rentals, the Top of the World Resort makes for a unique stop near Beartooth Pass. Here at this rest area, you will find jaw-dropping views of Rock Creek Canyon and an easily accessed trail that is wheelchair friendly. Put simply, yes, there have been a number of Beartooth highway deaths. Rock Creek provides the perfect location for fishing and paddling. Fill up the Gas Tank The same way there are few places to stop to eat and drink, there are just a few to fill up with gas. Want more information on Montana or Wyoming? We did not do any of the optional hikes, since we had a lot already planned for the day. Be sure to drive safely no matter your route and soak in the sights and experiences of your day. How long does it take to drive the Beartooth Highway? About halfway between Red Lodge and Cooke City youll find The Top of the World, sitting at 9,400 ft above sea level. It has served as a curious geological feature and landmark for centuries. They have an on-site restaurant and bar with live entertainment, as well as a heated outdoor pool and hot tub. The title comes from a Crow Indian word Na Piet Say, which means the bears tooth referring to a sharp rock formation that sticks up out of the plateau toward the roads summit.