Beartooth Highway is a high-alpine ride defined by elevation, exposure, and unforgettable mountain scale.
🔍 Quick Facts
Distance
~69 miles
Elevation
5000 – 10,947 ft
Surface
100% Paved
Best Time
Jul – Sep
Skill Level
Int – Adv
Touring Notes: Weather conditions can change quickly, especially at higher elevations — check forecasts before riding.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to ride above the clouds, Beartooth Highway delivers. Stretching from Red Lodge, Montana, to the edge of Yellowstone National Park, this high-altitude route combines sweeping mountain curves, massive views, and an unforgettable sense of scale.
This is not just a ride—it’s an experience.
Why This Ride Is Special
Beartooth Highway climbs to nearly 11,000 feet, making it one of the highest paved roads in North America. Long, flowing curves wind through alpine terrain with panoramic views that feel endless.
Unlike tight technical roads, Beartooth rewards smooth throttle control and relaxed riding. It’s a road that lets you breathe, look around, and truly take in where you are.
Why This Ride Is Great for Touring
- Manageable daily mileage
- Access to fuel and food
- Natural rest stops or overlooks
- Connects well to nearby routes
- Works as part of a multi-day trip
Planning a longer ride? This route pairs well with proper touring prep and gear.
How to Pack for a Long Motorcycle Trip
Touring Essentials: Motorcycle Gear for Long Rides
Best Time to Ride
- Late June through early September (weather-dependent)
- Mid-morning to early afternoon for the best visibility
- Summer weekdays offer the lightest traffic
The road is often closed due to snow well into late spring, and can close unexpectedly even in summer.
On longer days on this route, weather-ready touring gear for extreme, fast-changing weather makes a noticeable difference.
What to Watch For
- Sudden weather changes (snow is possible any month)
- Cold temperatures at elevation
- Wildlife crossing the roadway
- Strong winds near the summit
Layered gear is essential. What starts as a warm ride can turn frigid in a flash.
Who This Ride Is Perfect For
- Touring and adventure riders
- Riders who value scenery over speed
- Anyone building a bucket-list route through Yellowstone
This road is accessible to most riders, but altitude and weather conditions demand respect.
Rider Prep Tips for This Route
Final Takeaway
Beartooth Highway reminds you why you ride in the first place. The air is thinner, the views are bigger, and the ride feels almost unreal. It’s the kind of road that makes you slow down—not because you have to, but because you want to.
Ride of the Week is a recurring RiderWorx series highlighting unforgettable motorcycle routes worth riding, revisiting, and remembering.
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