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.