Beartooth Highway motorcycle ride
The Beartooth Highway climbs out of Red Lodge, Montana, in a wall of switchbacks and crosses Beartooth Pass at nearly 11,000 feet before dropping to Cooke City at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone. Alpine plateau, lakes and snow banks in July make it one of the most scenic rides in the country.
Opens Red Lodge to Cooke City in the MotoCurve planner on the Curvy style. Change the start to your home or hotel, then send it to the app for voice navigation.
Is the Beartooth Highway open?
Closed in winter. It usually opens on the Friday before Memorial Day and closes in mid-October, and a snowstorm can close it for a day or two even in summer.
Official status: Montana 511 · Wyoming 511
Closed? Ride the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway instead.
Highlights
- The switchback climb out of Red Lodge and the view back down from the top.
- A long alpine plateau above the tree line, with lakes and snow into summer.
- Connects with the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and Yellowstone for a full loop.
Before you ride
- It is high and exposed. Snow can fall in any month, and it is cold up top even on a warm day below.
- Fuel up in Red Lodge or Cooke City. There is little in between.
When to ride
Closed in winter. It usually opens in late spring and closes in the fall; check the Montana and Wyoming road reports before you go.
Questions
- Is the Beartooth Highway open?
- Closed in winter. It usually opens on the Friday before Memorial Day and closes in mid-October, and a snowstorm can close it for a day or two even in summer. Today's status is posted by Montana 511 and Wyoming 511.
- How long is the Beartooth Highway?
- As MotoCurve routes it, Red Lodge to Cooke City is about 66 miles, roughly 1 h 45 min of riding without stops.
- When can you ride the Beartooth Highway?
- Closed in winter. It usually opens in late spring and closes in the fall; check the Montana and Wyoming road reports before you go.
- How high does the Beartooth Highway go?
- The route runs between about 5,570 and 10,960 feet above sea level.
- Can I get turn-by-turn directions for the Beartooth Highway?
- Yes. Open it in the free MotoCurve planner, change the start to your home or hotel, and send it to the MotoCurve app for voice navigation on Android or iPhone. You can also download the GPX for a Garmin or another GPS.
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Distance, time and elevation are measured on MotoCurve's own routing. See every road.