Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Montana, USA
- Country
- United States
- Trip length
- 35 to 45 miles
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Climbing
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Camping
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Trip length: 35 to 45 miles
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
High-altitude plateau traverse across alpine tundra and grizzly habitat.
Intended uses
- backpacking
- mountaineering
Verification notes
Last verified October 17, 2026.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Plan with verified data
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse trip tools
How to get there
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse is in Montana, USA, United States. Its center point is 45.1500, -109.8000. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
- Shoshone National Forest
One of the national forests spanning the wilderness. Use the responsible Forest Service office to verify a suitable trailhead and approach; this is an administrative planning contact, not a confirmed traverse entrance.
- Gallatin National Forest
Part of the wilderness’s national forest setting. Confirm which access routes serve the intended itinerary before selecting a starting point; no specific traverse trailhead is identified here.
- Custer National Forest
Another national forest spanning the wilderness. Establish the relevant trailhead and road approach with the managing office rather than treating the forest name as a specific access point.
Popular pursuits at Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
Animals around Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes TraverseAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse
Planning to fish Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse, Montana? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Montana are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse?
- A Montana fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Montana fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse may add its own fishing rules on top of Montana law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse
Thinking about hunting Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse, Montana? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Montana are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Montana?
- A Montana hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A high-lake landscape on the Montana–Wyoming border
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness spans the Montana–Wyoming border, bringing together two mountain ranges with distinctly different geology. The Beartooths are granitic; the Absarokas are volcanic. Across the wilderness, hundreds of lakes sit among high, rolling plateaus and deep, glacier-carved valleys. That combination makes the Beartooth high country a setting for lake-focused backpacking, but rugged terrain matters more than a simple line between lakes. The wilderness covers 943,648 acres and was designated in 1978. Granite Peak, Montana’s highest point at 12,799 feet, stands near the state border. Treat the Beartooth High Lakes Traverse as a trip requiring a separately verified itinerary, rather than assuming the name identifies a single established trail. Choose the actual trail connections, start, and finish before making transport or overnight plans.
Planning a route through rugged country
High plateaus and glacier-carved valleys call for careful map work. A lake that looks close on a small-scale map may sit across terrain that makes a direct connection impractical. Use topographic maps to examine elevation changes and confirm trails rather than assuming every basin connects by a maintained route. Forest Service topographic maps overlay roads, trails, and campgrounds on USGS mapping and are available by quadrangle. Wilderness and national forest maps can help establish the broader layout before selecting detailed sheets. Day hiking and backpacking are both recognized activities here, allowing a trip to be planned around either a return walk or an overnight itinerary. No fixed traverse mileage or difficulty rating should substitute for assessing the specific route chosen through this extremely rugged landscape.
Water, wilderness rules, and field preparation
Plan to be self-sufficient rather than expecting developed facilities in the high country. Potable water is not available at the wilderness site, so carry drinking water and a suitable treatment method for backcountry supplies. The presence of hundreds of lakes does not make untreated water safe to drink. Pack for exposed mountain conditions and allow room in the itinerary to change plans when weather or terrain makes progress unwise. Wilderness regulations apply, and current camping, food-storage, and attractant-storage requirements need checking with the responsible Forest Service office before departure. Confirm any permit requirements at the same time. Use Leave No Trace practices throughout the trip, especially when selecting camps and spending time beside lakes. Keep food and other attractants secured according to current agency instructions.
Route options
- Day hiking
A recognized wilderness activity and an alternative to an overnight traverse. Select a mapped trail and a turnaround point suited to the terrain, conditions, and group; no specific lake itinerary is established here.
- Backpacking
A recognized way to explore the wilderness’s lakes, plateaus, and valleys. A high-lakes traverse requires independently confirmed trail connections, overnight arrangements, and entry and exit points before it can be treated as a usable itinerary.
Sample itineraries
- Beartooth day-hike planning option · 1 day
Choose a mapped Beartooth day hike with the managing Forest Service office. Focus on the granitic landscape and lake country, selecting an outing suited to current conditions. This is a planning option, not a verified segment of the Beartooth High Lakes Traverse.
- Beartooth backpacking planning option · 3 days
Allow three days for a self-planned backpacking trip among the Beartooth lakes and glacier-carved valleys. Confirm trails, access, camping rules, and realistic daily travel before departure. Treat this duration as a planning framework, not an established traverse schedule.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Condition-dependent high-country access
Treat the high plateaus and glacier-carved valleys as mountain terrain where snow and cold may complicate travel. Confirm conditions before committing to a lake-to-lake itinerary; do not assume lower-elevation conditions reflect the high country.
Summer
When the chosen route is passable
Plan for changing mountain weather across exposed plateaus. Check current fire danger and restrictions before departure. Lakes are numerous, but potable water is not provided; carry treatment and verify water availability along the chosen route.
Fall
Before conditions exceed the group's skills
Build flexibility into high-country plans as colder weather and shorter daylight reduce travel margins. Choose daily objectives conservatively in the rugged terrain and check conditions with the managing Forest Service office.
Winter
Only with suitable conditions and winter skills
Do not treat a high-lakes backpacking plan as a routine winter hike. The rugged mountain setting calls for winter-specific equipment, navigation skills, and a separate assessment of route suitability.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Condition-dependent high-country access | Treat the high plateaus and glacier-carved valleys as mountain terrain where snow and cold may complicate travel. Confirm conditions before committing to a lake-to-lake itinerary; do not assume lower-elevation conditions reflect the high country. |
| Summer | When the chosen route is passable | Plan for changing mountain weather across exposed plateaus. Check current fire danger and restrictions before departure. Lakes are numerous, but potable water is not provided; carry treatment and verify water availability along the chosen route. |
| Fall | Before conditions exceed the group's skills | Build flexibility into high-country plans as colder weather and shorter daylight reduce travel margins. Choose daily objectives conservatively in the rugged terrain and check conditions with the managing Forest Service office. |
| Winter | Only with suitable conditions and winter skills | Do not treat a high-lakes backpacking plan as a routine winter hike. The rugged mountain setting calls for winter-specific equipment, navigation skills, and a separate assessment of route suitability. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements, camping rules, and food-storage restrictions with the Forest Service office managing the chosen route. Wilderness regulations apply.
Official source: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Shoshone - USDA Forest Service · Verified October 17, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Extremely rugged terrain, high plateaus, and deep glacier-carved valleys can make travel demanding. Set objectives using topographic maps rather than apparent proximity between lakes.
- Potable water is not available at the site. Carry water-treatment equipment rather than drinking untreated lake or stream water.
- Fire danger and restrictions require a current check. Do not assume a campfire is allowed.
- High mountain terrain requires preparation for changing weather and cold. Carry protective layers even when starting conditions are mild.
What to pack for Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse
- Forest Service topographic maps covering the entire chosen route
- Compass and offline navigation
- Confirmed access details and current wilderness regulations
- Insulating layers
- Waterproof shell
- Shelter and sleep system suited to expected mountain conditions
- Headlamp and spare power
- Water-treatment system
- Water containers
- Food-storage equipment that meets current agency requirements
- Food for the planned outing plus a contingency supply
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: The Beartooth High Lakes Traverse FAQ
- Is there a verified Beartooth High Lakes Traverse itinerary here?
- No fixed route, access point, mileage, or established schedule is specified here. Confirm the intended traverse with the managing Forest Service office and detailed topographic maps before arranging transport or committing to daily stages.
- What distinguishes the Beartooth landscape?
- The Beartooth Range is granitic, unlike the volcanic Absaroka Range. The wilderness contains hundreds of lakes, high-rolling plateaus, and deep glacier-carved valleys. Granite Peak, Montana's highest point at 12,799 feet, lies near the Wyoming-Montana border.
- Is the wilderness entirely in Montana?
- No. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness spans the Montana-Wyoming border across the Shoshone, Gallatin, and Custer National Forests. Confirm which Forest Service office manages each part of the intended trip.
- Can drinking water be obtained on site?
- Potable water is not provided. Although the wilderness contains many lakes, plan to treat collected water and confirm sources along the chosen route.
- Which maps are useful for planning?
- Forest Service topographic maps overlay roads, trails, and campgrounds on USGS topography and are available by quadrangle. Obtain coverage for the full route and alternatives, not just the intended lakes.
- What recreation and camping guidance applies?
- Day hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding are listed recreation opportunities. Wilderness regulations apply. Check current camping, food-storage, and fire restrictions, and use Leave No Trace practices.