Beartooth Highway
Places to Visit
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Having plentiful wildlife, being close to Yellowstone National Park, and offering unlimited opportunities for adventure make Cooke City a perfect base camp for the outdoor enthusiast. From the city, you can snowmobile, cross-country ski, ice climb, and ice fish throughout the long winter, or ride horses, hunt, backpack, camp, and photograph the inspiring mountan scenery. Restaurants, gift shops, lodgings and trading posts will make your time in Cooke City enjoyable both in and outdoors.
Distance from byway: 2 mi / 3.2 km Travel time: 5 minutes Directions: From the Clark's Fork Trailhead, travel west about 2 miles into Cooke City.
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Spectacular wildlife abounds in Custer National Forest, including bighorn sheep, moose, and bobcat.
Location: Montana
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The Gallatin National Forest is the most visited national forest in the Northern Rockies, summer and winter.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The byway runs through the Gardiner Ranger District section of the National Forest near Cooke City, Montana.
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With its well-maintained late 1800s early 1900s historic look, family friendly activities, distinct shops, and budget friendly restaurants and lodging, Red Lodge has a lot to offer you. Enjoy the local flavor in town or explore the natural wonders just outside this remarkable city.
Location: Red Lodge lies in south central Montana.
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Rock Creek Canyon Campgrounds (MT)
This is a complex of 4 National Forest Campgrounds, including Parkside, Limber Pine, Greenough Lake and M-K. All are fee sites except M-K.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Directions: Located at the end of the Byway, one mile off of the route.
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Rock Creek Vista Point Rest Area (MT)
A fully developed Rest Area that has interpretive panels portraying the history of the road and mining in the Rock Creek Valley and about alpine wildlife and ecosystems. There is a short hiking trail out on a ridge with an outstanding view.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Located about 45 miles from the beginning of the byway.
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Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (WY)
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness lies on the Montana-Wyoming border on the Gallatin, Shoshone and Custer National Forests near Yellowstone National Park.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Beartooth Highway passes near the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area near Cooke City.
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Beartooth Lake and Campground (WY)
This popular campground is situated on the edge of Beartooth Lake. Several hiking trails radiate from the campground. Spectacular fishing and boating are readily available.
Distance from byway: 20 mi / 32.2 km Directions: TBD
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Beartooth Loop National Historic Trail (WY)
The Beartooth Loop National Recreation Trail offers walkers a 15-20 mile circuit of Camp Sawtooth.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The trailheads can be accessed 38 miles west of Red Lodge, MT on US 212.
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From this point, the visitor can see the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Canyon, Wyoming's only designated Wild & Scenic River. You can also see the aftermath of the 1988 Clover Mist Fire which was nearly 400,000 acres and originated in Yellowstone.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Located about 15 minutes from the start of the byway.
