At the western edge of Red Lodge, Montana, U.S. Highway 212 becomes the Beartooth Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the country.
The road twists and climbs up into the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and Wyoming and then descends to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
But the journey isn’t over there; ahead is an incredible run through mountains and valleys to Tower Junction, where a number of other possible adventures begin. Following are some of the don’t-miss spots, in order, along the drive from Red Lodge to Tower Junction.
Westminster Spires
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The Westminster Spires are a collection of granite pinnacles south of the Beartooth Highway not far from Red Lodge. They’re easy to see if you’re on the driver’s side, but they’re easy to miss if you’re not. Park at a pullout near the signed Westminster Spires Church Camp to get out and have a good look.
Gardner Lake
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The turnout for Gardner Lake is in Wyoming and is in the alpine tundra zone close to Beartooth Pass. You can get a great look at the lake from the turnout, and a trail leads down to it and from there deeper into the wilderness. In early summer, you’re likely to see people skiing the steep slopes here.
Beartooth Pass
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At almost 11,000’ in altitude, Beartooth Pass is the crest of the Beartooth Highway. Parking areas allow you to stroll among the tundra and enjoy the alpine wildflowers and far-reaching view. You can also clamber up a rock outcrop to claim you’ve “climbed” an alpine peak.
Island Lake
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Aptly named Island Lake isn’t visible from the highway, but it’s a short drive from the turnoff for it, and it beautifully frames Lonesome Mountain. There’s also a campground here, and the lake has one end of a loop trail that takes you to higher lakes in the wilderness and ends at Beartooth Lake, coming up soon on this list.
Top of the World Resort and Store
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Between Lonesome Lake and Beartooth Lake is Top of the World. It’s a small resort with cabins to rent, and there’s a store there where you can grab a snack and drink if you need to.
Beartooth Lake
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Like Island Lake, Beartooth Lake has a campground. Unlike Island Lake, you pass right by it on the highway, but you’ll probably want to stop and get out to appreciate the great view of Beartooth Butte, which the lake perfectly reflects during calm conditions.
Beartooth Falls
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Shortly after leaving the outlet of Beartooth Lake, Beartooth Creek drops over cliffs, making an impressive waterfall. You can get a decent view of it from the car, but a small parking area lets you access a very short trail that gets closer and has a better view.
Clay Butte Lookout
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Not far past Beartooth Falls is the gravel road to Clay Butte. When open, this road leads for just a few miles to a staffed fire lookout that has sweeping views of the Beartooth Mountains, including Granite Peak, Montana’s highest peak.
Pilot-Index Overlook
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As far back as Beartooth Pass, you might have noticed a high, narrow, and pointy peak in the distance. This is Pilot Peak, a mountain in Wyoming’s Absaroka Range and one of the most spectacular peaks in Greater Yellowstone. You’ll see it many more times on the way into Cooke City, but the Pilot-Index Overlook is one of the best (and safest) places to stop and view Pilot Peak and its neighbor Index Peak.
Cooke City
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Scenic and historic Cooke City in Montana is the western end of the Beartooth Highway. It’s a great place to stop for a meal and/or spend the night. North of town is a network of 4-wheel drive roads that connect a series of mountain passes in the Absarokas, visiting old mining ruins along the way.
Trout Lake
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Now you’re inside Yellowstone National Park and back inside Wyoming. The trail to Trout Lake is short and easy, and it’s worth the detour to this small lake that frames nearby mountain peaks.
Soda Butte
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Although Yellowstone has the world’s highest concentration of geothermal features, the northeastern section of the park doesn’t have that many. Soda Butte is among the few exceptions, and it’s right next to the road. The sulphur smell it emits is a preview of the many geothermal areas you’ll be able to visit in other areas of the park.
Lamar Valley
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When you reach the parking areas for the Lamar River trailheads, you’re entering the Lamar Valley, often called the American Serengeti for all the large mammals frequently seen there. From this point on, expect to see herds of bison and elk, and they sometimes cross the road or even use it as a thoroughfare, bringing traffic to a halt. Keep an eye out for moose, pronghorns, foxes, bears, and wolves as well.
Specimen Ridge
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Specimen Ridge is near the western end of the Lamar Valley, and it’s already been visible for several miles before you reach the signed trailhead for it. If you’ve got the time, hike up it for a couple of miles for views of the mountains, valleys, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. You’re also likely to see petrified wood, colorful minerals, and elk antlers (all are illegal to remove).
Tower Junction and Decision Time!
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Tower Junction is the end of this trip. Directly across the road is Roosevelt Lodge, where there are cabins and a restaurant. Left takes you to Tower Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Right takes you to Mammoth Hot Springs. The adventure isn’t over!
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