Maneuvering on the Beartooth Highway: Almost to Yellowstone!

On our way into Yellowstone National Park in July 2020, it was recommended to us to take the Beartooth Highway. I heard it had really good views! We were traveling from Minnesota, via I-94 through North Dakota, towards Yellowstone. Our goal for the day was to make it to Gardiner, MT to the campground we had booked. The fastest drive there was to go north of Yellowstone, right into Gardiner. But we were traveling all the way to Yellowstone to see cool stuff, so we took the scenic route (literally!).

We had stopped by Billings, MT at the Pictograph Cave State Park (check out our other blog post from the park) and traveled towards the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Highway 212 between Red Lodge, MT and Cooke City, MT is known as the Beartooth Highway. And it’s worth taking the extra time to see it!

We are from Minnesota, where it’s fairly flat. We have some hills, but nothing even close to this! We couldn’t stop saying “Wow!” around every single corner. As we wound our way up and up the switchback roads, I just kept thinking… man, I cannot make any mistakes while driving here! Once you’re on the road, it’s pretty obvious why they close it in the winter!

One of our first stops on the Beartooth Highway… Look closely at some of the little lines in the trees and you’ll see the roads we were taking.

John and I both love taking pictures so we stopped at quite a few of the pullouts along the road to take in the views. Literally every single stop seemed like it just kept getting better and better, more beautiful and more beautiful.

Rock Creek Vista- Elevation 9,190 feet is the biggest “stop” along the highway.

As you’re getting close to the top of the mountains, there is a stop called Rock Creek Vista. An amazing walkway takes you out to an overlook to take in the breathtaking views of the mountains. There’s a big parking lot, restrooms, and I’m pretty sure the only phone that works on the entire highway (yes, including your cell phone!).

Rock Creek Vista has lots and lots of chipmunks that are super friendly! Why not be friendly when you live in a place with a view like that!?!

The overlook is amazing. A.Ma.Zing. Being in a place like that is truly spiritual and you just feel like you a part of this world and the world is something to be truly thankful for. If you’re on the road and have the chance to stop, take the opportunity to stretch your legs and look around!

The summit of the Beartooth Pass sits at 10, 947 feet. As you get to the top of the mountains, this flat meadow appears, full of wildflowers and magic. Magic, I tell you!

Just past the summit, there was another small pullout. We stopped because we saw a lake! But boy did this stop have more to show us! Two lakes, gorgeous mountain views, and some surprise featured wildlife!

One of the lakes at the top of the mountains

Mama and baby mountain goat hanging out near the summit of the Beartooth Pass

At this stop, there was a mama and baby mountain goat hanging out, and then a marmot appeared! And then, a pika appeared! I had never even heard of a pika before we saw one! So when we got back into some sort of cell service we had to google to figure out what we’d seen!

And those wildflowers! Really, so magical.

Being from Minnesota, we are pretty much experts on snow… so seeing snow isn’t really new to us… But seeing snow in July is pretty cool! We found a quick little pullout right next to a perfect little pile of snow and ran around barefoot and had a snowball fight!

And what’s around the next corner, something else cool and amazing? Yup! This perfect little mountain stream. Which the kids had to check out with their bare feet of course! Down at the bottom of the mountains, the temperature was about 80, and up at elevation we saw it as low as 52 degrees! So the kids found out that the stream is pretty cold!

Keep driving, and around every corner, even more breathtaking sights. We stopped by a lake and it was surrounded by gorgeous wildflowers. Seriously, this whole trip – both on the Beartooth Highway and all over Yellowstone, the wildflowers- so awesome. Someone else had stopped at the lake while we were there and started fly-fishing.

A mountain lake to stop and enjoy the view!

If you want to see even more pictures and videos from the drive, check out our video on YouTube, posted below.

The drive along the Beartooth Highway was spectacular, amazing, beautiful, gorgeous, spiritual, and just so wow. The winding roads are a little nerve wracking to drive, but you really don’t get over 30 miles per hour! Remember to shift into low gear and you’ll be all set! The drive takes a little longer than cutting around to the North Entrance of Yellowstone, but it’s worth taking the time! A special thank you to my co-worker Brad who recommended we take this route! We are grateful we had this experience!