If you’d like to take an epic road trip this year, one of the best scenic drives in the U.S. is right here in the state. The Beartooth Scenic Highway in Wyoming is a gorgeous stretch of road that starts and ends in Montana with the longest, most stunning section running through the northern part of the Cowboy State. At 68 miles total, it wouldn’t take days to drive from one end to the other, but there’s so much spectacular scenery you’ll want to take it slow, stopping now and then to make it last.

Wyoming may share the Beartooth Scenic Highway with Montana, but more than two-thirds of it - and arguably the most scenic piece - runs through the Cowboy State's Shoshone National Forest.
Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos/YouTube
The winding road curves lazily over mountainous terrain populated with lush pines.
Abhijit Patil/Flickr
The landscape is also dotted with Alpine lakes and filled with breathtaking views.
Tim Lumley/Flickr
Nature pieced the panorama together over eons, with glaciers carving out some of the rock formations and others, like Beartooth Butte, having been built up with layers of limestone and shale millions of years ago when the mountain range was formed.
Tim Lumley/Flickr
Traveling from either direction, your journey will lead upward...
Stu Rapley/Flickr
...to the summit at 10,947 feet, located along the Wyoming stretch of the highway.
The Beartooth Highway/Facebook

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The elevation is so high that there's usually some snow present year-round. It's not unusual to see brightly colored wildflowers on one side of the highway and snow drifts on the other.
Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos/YouTube
In fact, the amount of snow the area receives in winter means that the highway is only open in the summer and fall.
The Beartooth Highway/Facebook
The snow can get up to 26 feet deep in some areas, making it impossible to keep the roads clear.
The Beartooth Highway/Facebook
The highway departments of Wyoming and Montana work together to get the roads open by Memorial Day weekend, giving you plenty of time to plan a road trip this year.
Fred Dunn/Flickr
If you want to extend your trip for more than one day, there is a place for you to spend a few nights along the way.
Galena56/TripAdvisor
The Top of the World store near the summit is more than a quaint general store in a log cabin. It also offers camper hook-ups and a handful of comfortable motel rooms.
The Beartooth Highway is a scenic drive so magnificent it's a destination all in itself.
Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos/YouTube

For some fantastic footage of the highway, check out the video below by Hoosier Tim’s Travel Videos:

Have you road-tripped the Beartooth? Let us know in the comments below!

What scenic Wyoming drive is your favorite? Nominate it for a chance to be featured!

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Beartooth Scenic Highway in Wyoming

Jackie Ann | February 24, 2021

What are the best day trips in Wyoming?

Getting a glimpse of Yellowstone National Park’s amazing Old Faithful is one of the most visited Wyoming spots with good reason. However, our majestic mountain ranges, breathtaking high plains, and charming towns offer day-trippers an abundance of ideal destinations. Spend a day immersed in Wyoming’s cultural heritage at Cheyenne's Wyoming State Museum then grab a meal at one of the city’s many impressive restaurants. You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the fascinating sights at Fort Laramie. With tons of interactive activities, tours, and natural recreation areas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Head over to Jackson Hole and visit one of their three world-renowned ski resorts or check out the exciting activities at Big King Pass like coasters, treetop tours or relax on a scenic chairlift.

What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in Wyoming?

The Cowboy State boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in the country with an abundance of activities accessible year-round. Thermopolis is an ideal destination for a family outing where parents can soak their cares away in a thermal pool after spending a day touring the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, one of only a few dinosaur museums in the world with nearby excavation sites. Grab your boots and see a heart-pounding “Nite Rodeo” at Stampede Park in Cody, boasting the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world. In the BearLodge Ranger District of the Black Hills, take a trip out to marvel at the massive Devils Tower, a stunning 867-foot igneous rock formation.

What food trails can I take in Wyoming?

Kitchens across Wyoming serve up some of the best chicken fried steak on the planet and lovers of this delectable classic could spend a lifetime sampling all that our restaurants have to offer. A beloved family spot in Laramie is J's Prairie Rose, a casual homestyle restaurant famous for its massive chicken-fried steak sandwich. Shari's Cafe & Pies in Cheyenne is a family-friendly cafe serving incredibly delicious crispy chicken-fried steak smothered in homemade sausage gravy 24 hours a day. Save room for dessert, Shari’s pies are heavenly! The quaint Cafe Genevieve in Jackson is located in a cozy log cabin dishing up gigantic portions and offering an extensive wine and cocktail menu.

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Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USA