Where on earth
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- Region
- Montana / Wyoming, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Alpine tundra (2,900–3,900 m)
- Best season
- July – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Sea Kayaking
- Beachcombing
- Winter Camping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Alpine tundra (2,900–3,900 m)
- Best season: July – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Beartooth Plateau
Topic summary
A 10,000-ft granite tableland scattered with alpine lakes between Cooke City and Red Lodge, just north of Yellowstone.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: July – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Alpine tundra (2,900–3,900 m)
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
Beartooth Plateau trip tools
How to get there
Use Red Lodge in south-central Montana as a geographic starting point. The town lies between the major airport in Billings and Yellowstone National Park’s northeast entrance at Cooke City. The 69-mile Beartooth Scenic Drive provides a road-based introduction to the surrounding peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus.
- Red Lodge
Town in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, surrounded by Custer National Forest. A useful starting point for planning a scenic-drive visit rather than a specified wilderness trailhead.
- Cooke City
Location of Yellowstone National Park’s northeast entrance and a regional orientation point for a trip involving Red Lodge and the Beartooth country. No specific plateau trailhead is identified here.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Beartooth Plateau
- 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.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Sea Kayaking
Coastal crossings, tides, and protected camps.
- Beachcombing
Tide-line walking between camps.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
Animals around Beartooth Plateau
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 — Beartooth PlateauAmazon 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 Beartooth Plateau
Planning to fish Beartooth Plateau, 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 Beartooth Plateau?
- 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.
Hunting near Beartooth Plateau
Thinking about hunting Beartooth Plateau, 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 Beartooth Plateau?
- Confirm the land around Beartooth Plateau is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
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-country landscape on the Montana–Wyoming border
The Beartooth Plateau belongs to the mountain landscape along the Montana–Wyoming border, where the Beartooth Mountains rise above the foothills around Red Lodge. Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus define the views described along the Beartooth Scenic Drive. Red Lodge sits in the shadow of 28 peaks reaching 12,000 feet, giving a useful sense of the surrounding mountain scale without implying that the road or every outing reaches that elevation. For trip planning, distinguish a drive through this landscape from an excursion into the protected wilderness. A roadside introduction can focus on the mountain views and switchbacks; a walking or overnight itinerary needs more detailed access and route information before departure.
Red Lodge and the scenic-drive approach
Red Lodge is the clearest town-based starting point for understanding access to the Beartooth country. It lies in south-central Montana, in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, and is surrounded by Custer National Forest. Its position between the major airport in Billings and Yellowstone National Park’s northeast entrance at Cooke City makes it a useful geographic anchor when arranging a broader trip. The named road outing here is the 69-mile Beartooth Scenic Drive, whose dramatic switchbacks overlook alpine lakes, glaciers, peaks and plateaus. Treat that mileage as the length of the scenic drive, not as a distance to a trailhead or a measure of a hiking route. Keep road sightseeing and backcountry travel as separate planning tasks.
The surrounding wilderness and trip preparation
The wider protected landscape is the Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness, which covers 937,102 acres across Montana and Wyoming. Congress designated it in 1978; later changes in 1983 and 1984 brought it to that extent, including land from Shoshone National Forest. Its designation history also includes Custer and Gallatin national forests in Montana. That acreage describes the whole wilderness, not the Beartooth Plateau alone. The distinction matters when choosing maps and seeking agency guidance: a broad wilderness name is not enough to identify a particular access point or walking route. For travel beyond the scenic road, establish the exact destination, check current conditions and confirm access requirements with the responsible managing agency. Prepare for mountain weather appropriate to a landscape of high peaks, glaciers and alpine lakes.
Route options
- Beartooth Scenic Drive69 miles
A road-based outing with dramatic switchbacks and views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus. The stated mileage applies to the scenic drive, not to a hiking route.
- Beartooth Scenic Drive — switchback sightseeing
A shorter sightseeing approach focused on the same drive’s switchbacks and mountain views rather than its full length. Select the extent of the outing after checking road access and conditions; no separate segment length or turnaround is specified.
Sample itineraries
- Red Lodge and the Beartooth Scenic Drive · 1 day
Use Red Lodge as a starting point for the 69-mile Beartooth Scenic Drive. Focus on the road's views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus. Confirm road conditions before departure and allow time for the dramatic switchbacks rather than treating the drive as a quick transfer.
- Red Lodge Base Stay · 2 days
Spend the first day in Red Lodge, getting oriented to the Beartooth Mountains and checking current access conditions. Reserve the second day for the Beartooth Scenic Drive. Keep any walking plans flexible until suitable routes and conditions have been confirmed locally.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; confirm current access
The high-mountain setting calls for conservative planning around snow and cold. Check road and ground conditions before committing to the scenic drive or walking plans; do not assume lower-elevation conditions in Red Lodge represent the plateau.
Summer
Summer; check high-elevation conditions
Prepare for changing weather and cool conditions around the high peaks and plateaus. Snow-capped peaks and glaciers are part of this landscape, so do not equate summer with snow-free travel everywhere.
Fall
Fall; verify conditions before departure
Keep plans flexible around cold weather and possible snow in the high mountains. Confirm driving conditions and carry enough insulation for stops away from the vehicle.
Winter
Winter; verify access before planning
Treat the plateau as a cold, snowy mountain setting rather than assuming ordinary sightseeing access. Confirm whether the intended drive or outing is feasible before leaving Red Lodge.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; confirm current access | The high-mountain setting calls for conservative planning around snow and cold. Check road and ground conditions before committing to the scenic drive or walking plans; do not assume lower-elevation conditions in Red Lodge represent the plateau. |
| Summer | Summer; check high-elevation conditions | Prepare for changing weather and cool conditions around the high peaks and plateaus. Snow-capped peaks and glaciers are part of this landscape, so do not equate summer with snow-free travel everywhere. |
| Fall | Fall; verify conditions before departure | Keep plans flexible around cold weather and possible snow in the high mountains. Confirm driving conditions and carry enough insulation for stops away from the vehicle. |
| Winter | Winter; verify access before planning | Treat the plateau as a cold, snowy mountain setting rather than assuming ordinary sightseeing access. Confirm whether the intended drive or outing is feasible before leaving Red Lodge. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and access rules with the managing agency for the specific area planned.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Dramatic switchbacks on the Beartooth Scenic Drive require attentive driving; stop safely before looking at the scenery.
- The high-mountain setting warrants time to adjust to elevation and a willingness to shorten an outing if feeling unwell.
- Snow and glacier terrain demand more preparation than roadside sightseeing; do not treat unfamiliar snow or ice as an easy walking surface.
- Plateau outings require preparation for changing weather and cold, even when conditions in Red Lodge seem comfortable.
What to pack for Beartooth Plateau
- Insulating layers
- Windproof and waterproof outerwear
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sun protection
- Map covering the intended outing
- Offline navigation
- Drinking water and extra food
- First-aid kit
- Sturdy footwear
- Daypack
- Spare warm layer
- Charged phone
Beartooth Plateau FAQ
- Where is the Beartooth Plateau trip based?
- Red Lodge, in south-central Montana, is a practical starting point for the Beartooth Scenic Drive. It sits in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and is surrounded by Custer National Forest.
- How long is the Beartooth Scenic Drive?
- The drive is 69 miles long. Its dramatic switchbacks overlook snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus. Allow flexibility for road conditions and stops rather than relying on a fixed driving time.
- How does the area connect with Yellowstone?
- Red Lodge lies between the major airport in Billings and Yellowstone National Park's northeast entrance at Cooke City. Check current road access before building a through-trip around that geography.
- What is the surrounding wilderness?
- The Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness spans the Montana–Wyoming border and covers 937,102 acres. It includes lands in Custer, Gallatin and Shoshone national forests. Confirm the managing agency for the particular area intended for a visit.
- Can a roadside visit substitute for a backcountry plan?
- No. Scenic driving and wilderness travel require different preparation. Before leaving the road, identify a suitable route, verify access and conditions, and carry navigation, weather protection, food and water.