Exploring the Beartooth Highway

Exploring the Beartooth Highway: Six Easy Day Treks Worth the Climb

The Beartooth Highway is one of America’s most scenic and exhilarating mountain roads, climbing to nearly 11,000 feet as it winds from Red Lodge, MT to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance. But don’t let the views fool you—traveling above the treeline means changing weather, thinner air, and limited services. Preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Before You Go: Vehicle & Travel Safety

Make sure your vehicle is ready for the altitude and backcountry isolation of the Beartooth Highway.

- Check your brakes — Steep grades and tight curves are common.                                   
- Top off all fluids, especially coolant and windshield washer fluid.
- Tires — Check pressure, tread, and make sure your spare is ready.
- Fuel up in Red Lodge — There are no gas stations between Red Lodge and Cooke   City.
- Battery — Ensure it holds a solid charge.
- Download offline maps — Cell service is minimal or nonexistent in many areas.
Recommended stop: Red Lodge Ace Hardware (1 N Oakes Ave) for windshield fluid, jumper cables, tire gauges, and bear spray.

What to Pack: Essentials for High Altitude Travel

For Humans:

- 2L+ water per person
- High-calorie snacks with protein
- Windbreaker and warm layers
- Rain poncho or shell jacket
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- First-aid kit
- Portable battery for cell phone
- Emergency blanket
- Printed or offline maps
**Maps, trail books, and printed guides are available at Beartooth Nature Center Gift Shop and Beartooth Books (24 S Broadway).
**Rain ponchos, emergency blankets, and light hiking gear are available at Red Lodge Ace Hardware.

For the Tervuren:

- Leash (required everywhere)
- Trail booties for sharp rocks or hot pavement
- Collapsible water bowl
- Trail snacks or extra kibble
- Dog-safe first-aid supplies (vet wrap, Benadryl, tweezers)
- Current ID tag with cell number
- Poop bags—pack it out
**For all things canine, stop by Lewis & Bark’s Outpost on Broadway. Dani carries trail-tested gear, including dog booties, hydration kits, protein bars, and essential first aid supplies. She’s a dog wellness expert and happy to help you gear up right.

Let Someone Know Before You Head Out

Leave a written or texted plan with someone back at base. Include the following:
- Trail or destination name
- Who you’re with
- Vehicle description & plate
- Time you left
- Estimated time of return
**If you're overdue, your contact can notify authorities with precise information.

Six Favorite Day Treks Along & Off the Beartooth Highway

Rock Creek Vista Point

Milepost 52.5, about 21 miles from Red Lodge
Length: Short paved paths
Why Go: Jaw-dropping views of the canyon 1,000+ feet below
Perfect For: Quick photo ops, light walking, elevation acclimation
Directions: Follow US 212 west for about 21 miles. Vista Point is a signed pullout with parking and restrooms.

Gardner Lake Trail

Trailhead: Near Beartooth Pass Summit (~10,500 ft)
Length: ~1 mile round trip
Why Go: Tiny alpine lake surrounded by rock cliffs and tundra
Perfect For: Peaceful walk with incredible views
Directions: Just before the summit of Beartooth Pass, look for a gravel pullout on the right with room for 4–5 cars.

Beartooth Lake Loop

Trailhead: Beartooth Lake Picnic Area
Length: ~1 mile loop
Why Go: Glistening blue lake framed by forest and peaks
Perfect For: Families, picnics, relaxed exploration
Directions: After crossing into Wyoming on US 212, turn left at the Beartooth Lake Picnic Area (signed).

Beauty Lake Trail

Trailhead: 1 mile past Beartooth Lake
Length: ~6 miles round trip
Why Go: Classic alpine scenery, cold creek crossings, pristine lake
Perfect For: Fit hikers, confident dogs
Directions: Continue west on US 212. The trailhead is on the right, marked by a small parking pullout.

Clay Butte Fire Lookout

Trailhead: Gravel road to lookout begins near Top of the World Store
Length: 3 miles round trip (drive and hike)
Why Go: Historic fire tower with sweeping views of the Beartooths
Perfect For: Moderate hiking with a payoff
Directions: Turn right on Clay Butte Road about 1.5 miles past Beartooth Lake. Drive 3 miles to the base of the tower.

Island Lake to Night Lake

Trailhead: Island Lake Campground
Length: 5–6 miles round trip
Why Go: Rolling trail past several alpine lakes and scenic vistas
Perfect For: All-day outings, picnic adventures
Directions: About 3 miles past Top of the World Store, turn left into Island Lake Campground. Trailhead is near day-use parking.

High Altitude Tips & Final Reminders

- Acclimate slowly—altitude sickness can hit fast. Don’t rush the first day.
- Stay hydrated—drink more water than you think you need.
- Pack layers—weather changes fast above 9,000 ft.
- Don’t underestimate the sun—UV rays are stronger at higher elevations.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it—encounters are rare, but they are real.
- Watch for signs of altitude sickness, including headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
- Turn back if the weather shifts, especially with lightning or sleet.
At high elevation, a stillness settles into your bones.
And in the face of nature’s vast magnitude—for a moment,
you remember what it means to be small—
not insignificant, but perfectly placed in a world ancient and immense.
We hope you’ll linger long enough to feel the wonder of this wild corner of Red Lodge—
where the mountains stretch wide, the air grows thin,
and the moments you find become the memories you keep.
Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.