Scenic Drives USA

Beartooth Highway is in northwest Wyoming and southern Montana. It begins in Red Lodge, Montana and travels southwest to Yellowstone National Park. The byway follows US 212 for 68 miles. US Highway 212 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. Beartooth Highway is usually open late May through mid-October. Portions of the route are groomed in winter for snowmobile use.

The route takes travelers on a scenic journey across the beautiful Beartooth Mountains. It travels through portions of Custer and Gallatin National Forests in Montana and Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. A primitive trail was once all that connected the mining towns of Red Lodge and Cooke City until the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a road between 1932 and 1936. Now travelers can enjoy the spectacular scenery as they climb the switchbacks of this byway to 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass. The forests consist of Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen. Aspen leaves turn a beautiful golden color in fall, making this an even more beautiful drive.

The national forests are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Byway travelers are likely to see elk or mule deer foraging along the roadside, especially in early morning or evening. Moose can sometimes be seen among the willows along lakes and streams. Black and grizzly bears also inhabit the area but are rarely seen. Birdwatchers will need to keep an eye on the sky for hawks, golden eagles, and prairie falcons.

Campers have nearly 200 sites in all from which to choose. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring for those nights under stars around a campfire. All the campgrounds have drinking water and comfort stations. The lower elevation campgrounds are usually open by Memorial Day. Campgrounds higher up may not open until mid to late June, depending on snow conditions.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is in northwest Wyoming. It follows US 89 between Grant Village and Moose, a distance of 82 miles. US Highway 89 is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The highway north of Flagg Ranch is not maintained during winter; access to Yellowstone National Park is by snowmobile or commercial snow coach. The portion from Moran Junction to Moose is also part of the Wyoming Centennial byway.

The byway is accompanied by the scenic Snake River, which empties into Jackson Lake. Cutthroat trout, brown and brook trout, mackinaw, and whitefish are abundant in the river and its tributaries. Visitors along the byway may see moose feeding among the willows; elk and deer passing through the open forest; and beavers working the numerous creeks. Threatened and endangered species, such as the bald eagle and grizzly bear, find protection here.

The scenic drive winds through forests of lodgepole pine, spruce, fir, and aspen. Wet meadows and willow thickets line the rivers while wildflowers and grasses cover the open hillsides during summer. Several scenic overlooks provide views of majestic the Teton Range of the Rocky Mountains. A 24,000-acre parcel of land is also known as the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. This land area connects the two national parks and was dedicated in 1972 to recognize Mr. Rockefeller’s generosity in making significant contributions to several national parks across the country, including Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Virgin Islands, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There are several trails that can be accessed along the drive. Some are short self-guided trails while others are long, strenuous paths that will take you deep into the national park and surrounding national forests. Wilderness areas offer the sweet silence of seclusion and two of these primitive and rugged areas can only be reached by hiking trails. Several camping areas are also along this route. Some recreation areas offer such amenities as restaurants, lodging, and grocery stores.