25 Pictures of Montana’s Most Beautiful Highway

The Beartooth Highway is one of the most iconic scenic drives in all of America, and it just opened for the summer season.

The Beartooth Highway (US-212) stretches 68.7 miles and is located west of the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park between Cooke City, Montana and Red Lodge, Montana. At its peak, the highway reaches an elevation of 10,947 feet. The highway briefly opened on Friday, May 27 before closing later on the same day due to weather conditions.

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Because of the high elevation, weather conditions along the Beartooth Highway can fluctuate quickly. It can literally snow at any time during the year. The highway borders the state line shared by Montana and Wyoming.

Driving the Beartooth Highway is an annual tradition for many Montanans, and has also been named the most scenic route into Yellowstone National Park. Last summer, I took my friends who were visiting over the Beartooth Highway, and they said that it was far more beautiful than the Grand Canyon.

You'll also find a variety of wildlife along the Beartooth Highway, including mountain goats, bears, pikas, and more. Once you reach the top, you literally feel like you're standing on top of the world. The panoramic views are unbelievably beautiful and unparalleled.

Over the last several days, crews cleared a substantial amount of snow from the highway in preparation for summer travel. On Thursday, YNP announced that the Beartooth Highway is officially reopened.

It's important to check the road report before you hit the road. Temporary road closures due to winter weather can occur at any time on the highway given its high elevation. Closures will be in effect from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday. There will be no closures from Friday through Sunday.

To learn more about the Beartooth Highway, click here.