25 Pictures of Montana’s Most Beautiful Highway

One of the most famous highways in the state of Montana is officially open for the summer season, and you need to add it to your Montana bucket list immediately.

Take a Scenic Drive on Montana's Most Beautiful Highway

Montana is known for its scenic drives, and summer is a great time to explore all that the state has to offer. If you've never driven the Beartooth Highway, it should definitely be added to your list of summer road trips.

The Beartooth Highway (US-212) stretches 68.7 miles and is located west of the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park between Cooke City, Montana and Red Lodge, Montana. At its peak, the highway reaches an elevation of 10,947 feet. The Beartooth Highway is open for the summer season. Here's what you need to know before you go.

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Because of the high elevation, weather conditions along the Beartooth Highway can fluctuate quickly. It can literally snow at any time during the year. The highway borders the state line shared by Montana and Wyoming.

Driving the Beartooth Highway is an annual tradition for many Montanans, and has also been named the most scenic route into Yellowstone National Park. Last summer, I took my friends who were visiting over the Beartooth Highway, and they said that it was far more beautiful than the Grand Canyon.

You'll also find a variety of wildlife along the Beartooth Highway, including mountain goats, bears, pikas, and more. Once you reach the top, you literally feel like you're standing on top of the world. The panoramic views are unbelievably beautiful and unparalleled.

Crews work hard each year and clear a substantial amount of snow from the highway in preparation for summer travel. It's important to check the road report before you start your trek over the Beartooth Highway. Temporary road closures can occur at any time.

To learn more about the Beartooth Highway, click here.