Welcome to the Beartooth Highway Tour
Explore the majestic Beartooth Highway with this self-guided driving tour. Traverse the iconic route to Top of the World for breathtaking vistas. Journey onwards to Pilot and Index Peak, marveling at the striking natural formations. Your adventure culminates at Island Lake, where serene waters and scenic views await. Each stop is enriched with engaging stories and stunning landscapes, ensuring a memorable experience through this celebrated mountain pass.
About the Tour
Begin your Beartooth Highway tour with the stunning Beartooth Intro at Cooke City, soaking in the rich historical context as you drive. Proceed to the Clarks Fork Picnic Area, a perfect spot for a scenic break, and then to the 45th Parallel, where you’ll feel the thrill of standing halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
Continue to explore Clarks Fork’s stunning vistas before experiencing the rush of water at Crazy Creek Falls. As you approach Cooke City, revel in the old-world charm and vibrant local life. Journey onwards to the tranquility of Lake Creek Falls Eastbound, and then immerse yourself in the epic landscape along the Beartooth Highway, Montana itself, celebrated for its breathtaking heights and raw beauty.
Pause at Pilot and Index Peak for an unforgettable view, then climb to Clay Butte Lookout for panoramic scenes of the wilderness. As you wind down to Beartooth Ravine and Beartooth Lake Eastbound, prepare for picturesque waterscapes perfect for reflection and photography.
Top of the World awaits with its awe-inspiring views, followed by a serene visit to Island Lake, a gem nestled in the mountains. Beartooth Basin Ski Area offers thrilling runs for the adventurous, while Beartooth Tundra presents unique flora and fauna amidst striking geology. Navigate the switchbacks to Rock Creek and pause at Vista Point for another photo-worthy moment.
Learn about the local engineering feats at Beartooth Highway Construction and Maintenance stops, then delve deep into the natural beauty of Rock Creek Canyon. Explore the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a biodiversity sanctuary, and drive the All-American Road, absorbing the heritage and landscapes that define this region.
Finally, wrap up your Beartooth scenic highway journey with a visit to Red Lodge History East, where tales of the past enrich your understanding of this extraordinary place. Each segment of your Beartooth Highway tours experience is packed with narrative insights, making your drive not just a journey through landscapes but through the very soul of the region.
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Where To Start?
Recommended Starting Point:
Northwest: 207 Main St, Cooke City, MT 59020
Northeast: 1505 Broadway Ave S, Red Lodge, MT 59068
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
What You'll See
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Welcome
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Clarks Fork Picnic Area
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45th Parallel
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Clarks Fork
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Hemingway
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Crazy Creek Falls
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Cooke City Winter
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Chief Joseph Junction
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Lake Creek Falls
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Beartooth Highway
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General Sheridan
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Pilot and Index Peak
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Clay Butte Lookout
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Beartooth Ravine
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Beartooth Lake
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Top of the World
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Island Lake
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Beartooth Mountain Conservation
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Beartooth Mountain Geology
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Glaciers
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West Summit Overlook
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Bears Tooth Approach
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Gardner Lake Pullout
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Beartooth Basin Ski Area
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State Line
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Beartooth Tundra
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Hellroaring Plateau
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Rock Creek Switchbacks
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Vista Point
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Black and White Trail
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Beartooth Highway Construction
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Beartooth Highway Maintenance
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Rock Creek Canyon
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Hellroaring Turn
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Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
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All American Road
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The Crow People
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Red Lodge Welcome
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Conclusion
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Highlights include the Top of the World, Pilot and Index Peak, Crazy Creek Falls, and Island Lake, offering breathtaking vistas and natural beauty.
The tour typically takes 2 to 3 hours, but it’s recommended to allow a full day for stops and exploration.
The tour can start at either Cooke City or Red Lodge, Montana.
Late May to early October is ideal, as the highway is usually closed during winter due to snow.