Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway - The
most beautiful ride in America.
The Beartooth Highway is an All-American Road that has been called "the
most beautiful drive in America". Beartooth Highway, completed in 1939
is one Motorcycle ride you don't want to miss! On the map, this
fantastic ride in Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke
City, Montana. Beartooth Highway makes its way across the rugged
Beartooth Mountain Range in Montana and Wyoming. It carved through the
beautiful Shoshone National Forest.
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Beartooth Highway is one of the most scenic rides you can find in the
United States. Although it is only 69 miles long, be sure to allocate
plenty of time for this ride. You should set aside at least two hours
to be on the safe side. Watch out for the occasional snowstorm and
strong winds that can occur even in the summer months.
Beartooth Highway is the highest elevation road in the Northern Rocky
Mountains. In Wyoming, it reaches 10,947 feet, and 10,350 in Montana.
Ride along an elevation rise from just over 5000 feet to 8000 feet in
only 12 miles along some scenic switchbacks! Enjoy the awesome views of
the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains along this ride.
Don't be surprised if you see Glaciers along the northern part of the
mountainsides. Glacial lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife
are just a few of the reasons to get out and ride Beartooth Highway.
You will actually see the Bear's Tooth - a narrow spire profiled
against the sky. The mountains were named after this point. View some
of the 20 peaks that reach over 12,000 feet in elevation.
Ride along Beartooth Highway toward the Northeast entrance of
Yellowstone National Park. It will take you right into the park itself.
Of course, if you choose not to visit Yellowstone as part of your ride,
you can always turn around in Cooke City and ride it the other
direction!
Beartooth highway is closed to Motorcycles and other vehicles in the
winter, so the best time to ride is during the summer months. We
recommend June, July, or August. Beartooth Highway normally opens
around Memorial Day weekend, and closes again around Labor Day weekend.
It is also one of the more popular winter destinations for those that
like to ski and ride snowmobiles.
If you like to hike, there are plenty of opportunities. Opportunities
also surround you for wildlife viewing. You could see mountain goats,
moose, elk, marmot, mule deer, black bear, grizzly bear, and wolf while
riding Beartooth Highway.
At the summit, the road levels off along the plateau. Fantastic Alpine
lakes can be seen in several spots along this part of Beartooth
Highway. You will most likely see high snowdrifts on the sides of the
road along this portion of the ride. Ride among nearly 3,000 square
miles of this high land, enjoying North America's biggest area above
10,000 feet. At 10,974 feet, you will definitely feel like you have
ridden to the "top of the world". There is even a small store and gas
station name "top of the world" just beyond the summit of Beartooth
Highway. This is a good place for a short breather.
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