Plan Your Visit To Wyoming’s Unforgettable Beartooth Highway

1936 changed the way folks visit Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park forever. That year was the year the Beartooth Highway opened in extreme Northwestern Wyoming and Southern Montana.

The 68-mile drive is considered one of the most scenic drives in America, and for good reason—jaw-dropping views of rugged terrain, lakes, valleys, and a significant number of wildlife viewing opportunities.

In 2002, the highway was designated as a National Scenic Byway, and thousands of travelers make the trek from the Northeast gate of Yellowstone through the windy, wild road leading into Montana.

Not only can you drive and see great views, but the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area has endless outdoor adventure opportunities, too. Since being designated by the US Congress in 1978, the 943,648 acres of rugged landscape have been a hot spot for outdoor thrill seekers.

The weather is something that shouldn't be ignored if you're cruising the Beartooth Highway.

The road is well over 10,000 feet in elevation, so there's good reason it's only open for part of the year. Snow. Lots of snow.

There's an annual 150-inch snow average, with 25-foot snowdrifts in some areas. Meaning the road is closed for than half of the year. Crews begin clearing the snow away in May to prepare for Memorial Day weekend.

Just because the highway is open for the summer, it doesn't mean it won't be closed, and it could put a damper on your trip. In June, a summer snowstorm dropped between 12 and 14 inches of snow. Windy, whiteout conditions caused the highway to be closed for a day, so that crews could clear the drifts.

Beartooth Highway

If you're out for a drive and are looking for one that is consistently ranked as one of the best in America, don't miss this Wyoming treasure.