Beartooth Highway (US-212)
68 miles soaring over alpine tundra to 10,947 feet outside Yellowstone
Route Telemetry & Topographic Profile
Interactive GPS Route Map & Topographic Elevation
Tap numbered markers to inspect waypoints • Toggle U.S. Topo (USGS) layerEssential Pit Stops, Cafes & Restaurants
Hand-picked roadside diners, coffee shops, historic taverns, and authorized service hubs along this route.
Top of the World Store & Outpost
Isolated rustic trading post perched at 9,400 feet surrounded by alpine snowfields. Hot coffee, snacks, emergency fuel, and mountain postcards.
Red Lodge Pizza Co.
Massive calzones, stone-baked pizzas, and cold Montana craft beers on a busy rider patio in downtown Red Lodge.
Beartooth Cafe
Classic Western log-cabin dining in Cooke City. Famous for elk chili, bison burgers, and warm homemade huckleberry cobbler.
Route Overview & Character
Rising from Red Lodge, Montana and traversing the high alpine tundra plateau of Wyoming before descending into the northeastern gate of Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Highway (US-212) reaches 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass. Riders experience dramatic switchbacks, alpine glacial lakes, and snowfields in mid-summer.
Pavement Quality & Road Surface
Smooth Alpine Mountain Asphalt with deep switchbacks and glacial views
Safety & Enforcement Advisory
Charles Kuralt called this 'the most beautiful drive in America.' Watch for summer snow flurries, high-velocity crosswinds on the ridge, and wild marmots crossing the pavement.
Verified GPS Waypoints
Scenic Overlooks & Landmarks
- Rock Creek Switchbacks: Series of engineered alpine switchbacks climbing 4,000 vertical feet above Red Lodge.
- Beartooth Pass Summit (10,947 ft): Alpine crest in Wyoming providing panoramic views of 12,000-ft glaciated peaks.
- Top of the World Store: Isolated rustic alpine trading outpost perched at 9,400 feet on Beartooth Lake.
- Long Lake Alpine Tarn: Crystal-clear glacial lake mirroring snow-capped granite spires.
- Cooke City Historic Gateway: Old mining camp at the Yellowstone northeastern portal.
Mechanical & Gear Prep Pack
PRE-RIDE VERIFICATIONEssential consumables and protective equipment calibrated for this route's technical demands:
Ready to Ride Beartooth Highway?
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