Beartooth Scenic Byway
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: scenic drive, scenic views
Winding 64 miles between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana—east of Yellowstone’s northeast entrance—the Beartooth Scenic Byway ascends nearly 11,000 feet through hairpin turns, alpine meadows, and glacier-cut valleys. Some call it “the most beautiful drive in America.”
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Stop at Scenic Overlooks – Pull over at spots like Rock Creek Vista or Pilot and Index Peaks Overlook for sweeping views of snow-capped mountains and shimmering lakes.
- Hike to Gardner Lake – Stretch your legs on the 1.6-mile round-trip Little Rock Creek Trail, an easy alpine hike with breathtaking views and a tranquil mountain lake.
- See Spectacular Waterfalls – Make quick stops to admire Lake Creek Falls and Crazy Creek Falls, where cascading waters tumble through rocky gorges surrounded by evergreens.
- Visit the Clay Butte Lookout Tower – Drive up to this historic fire lookout for panoramic 360-degree views of the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains and distant Wyoming peaks.
- Explore Red Lodge and Cooke City – Bookend your drive with small-town charm—browse local shops and refuel at diners. Mid-route, stop at the quirky Top of the World Store.
Itinerary Idea: Explore the Beartooth Scenic Byway with a local guide. Book a driving tour that stops at Rock Creek Vista Point, Beartooth Pass, Beartooth Lake, Lake Creek Falls, and the Top of the World Store. Keep your eyes open for mountain goats, elk, and bears.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce