WY 296 · Wyoming

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway motorcycle ride

The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway follows the route of the Nez Perce flight in 1877, from the plains north of Cody, Wyoming, over Dead Indian Pass and through the Clarks Fork valley to the Beartooth Highway. Switchbacks on the pass and wide open views make it a perfect pair with the Beartooth.

Distance
53 mi
Riding time
1 h 25 min
Lowest
4,920 ft
Highest
8,620 ft
Plan this rideDownload GPX

Opens WY 120 north of Cody to the Beartooth Highway 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 Chief Joseph Scenic Byway open?

Usually kept open in winter, but snow and wind can close it.

Official status: Wyoming 511

Highlights

  • The switchbacks and overlook on Dead Indian Pass.
  • The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and Sunlight Basin.
  • Joins the Beartooth Highway near Cooke City for a classic loop.

Before you ride

  • There are almost no services along the byway. Fill up in Cody.
  • Wildlife, including bison and bears, is common.

When to ride

Usually kept open in winter, but snow and wind are serious from fall to spring. Summer and early fall are the season.

Questions

Is the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway open?
Usually kept open in winter, but snow and wind can close it. Today's status is posted by Wyoming 511.
How long is the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
As MotoCurve routes it, WY 120 north of Cody to the Beartooth Highway is about 53 miles, roughly 1 h 25 min of riding without stops.
When can you ride the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
Usually kept open in winter, but snow and wind are serious from fall to spring. Summer and early fall are the season.
How high does the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway go?
The route runs between about 4,920 and 8,620 feet above sea level.
Can I get turn-by-turn directions for the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
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.

Put this road on your site

Riding club, blog or ride report? Paste this and your readers get a card of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway that opens its map, GPX and directions. Free to use.

Ride these next

Beartooth Highway
US 212 over Beartooth Pass, nearly 11,000 feet, from Red Lodge to the northeast gate of Yellowstone.
Montana and Wyoming · 66 mi
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Across Glacier National Park and over Logan Pass on the Continental Divide.
Montana · 59 mi
Needles Highway
SD 87 through Custer State Park, with granite spires and one-lane rock tunnels.
South Dakota · 10 mi

More roads in Wyoming

Wyoming

Ride it from

BillingsRapid City

Get the app: Android · iPhone

Distance, time and elevation are measured on MotoCurve's own routing. See every road.