Destination
Beartooth mountainS, montana
Home to Montana’s highest peaks and the legendary Beartooth Scenic Highway, the Beartooth Mountains offer rugged alpine beauty, pristine lakes, dramatic vistas, wildlife, hiking, fishing, camping, and an unforgettable gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
Region
South-Central Montana, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Best For
Scenic drives, hiking, fishing, camping, alpine lakes, wildlife viewing, photography, mountain vistas, Yellowstone access, skiing, and high-country exploration
Nearby Highlights
Granite Peak, Beartooth Scenic Highway, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Shoshone National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, alpine lakes, tundra plateaus, and national recreation trails
local charm
High alpine scenery, roadside overlooks, rugged peaks, glacier-carved terrain, mountain goats, pristine forests, picnic areas, campgrounds, and one of America’s most spectacular drives
Tour Overview
A High-Alpine Gateway to Yellowstone and Montana’s Highest Peaks
The Beartooth Mountains are one of Montana’s most majestic ranges, home to the state’s highest 41 peaks. At 12,799 feet, Granite Peak stands as the tallest summit in Montana, anchoring a rugged landscape of alpine plateaus, pristine lakes, dramatic ridgelines, forests, glaciers, and sweeping mountain views.
This region serves as the northeastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and is best known for the Beartooth Scenic Highway. Open from around Memorial Day to mid-October when weather allows, this iconic mountain road climbs to 10,947 feet and is consistently recognized as one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the country.
Beyond the highway, the Beartooth Mountains offer extensive outdoor recreation across the Custer Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests. Visitors can hike national recreation trails, fish cold mountain lakes, camp beneath wide-open skies, picnic among forests and meadows, watch wildlife, and experience the raw alpine beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Montana's Granite Peak
At 12,799 feet, Granite Peak is Montana’s highest point and one of the defining landmarks of the rugged Beartooth Mountains.
Alpine Lakes & Plateaus
With more than 300 lakes and major sub-alpine tundra plateaus, the Beartooths provide endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, photography, and exploration.
Beartooth Scenic Highway
Climbing to 10,947 feet, this legendary seasonal highway offers unforgettable views of peaks, forests, alpine tundra, and mountain lakes.
Greater Yellowstone Wildlife
As part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the range supports elk, deer, grizzly bears, mountain goats, and many other iconic species.
Scenic Drives & High-Country Views
The Beartooth Scenic Highway is the signature experience of the region. Winding through rugged mountains and climbing above 10,000 feet, the road offers dramatic overlooks, alpine vistas, forests, lakes, and access to high-country recreation. Whether traveling toward Yellowstone or simply exploring the highway itself, the drive is a destination in its own right.
Hiking, Fishing & Outdoor Recreation
The Beartooth Ranger District offers recreation for nearly every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can hike national recreation trails, fish pristine alpine lakes, camp in forested settings, enjoy picnic areas, photograph mountain scenery, or explore the surrounding wilderness. In winter and shoulder seasons, snow conditions create opportunities for skiing and cold-weather adventure where access allows.
Best Times to Visit
Summer
Beartooth Highway drives, hiking, fishing, camping, alpine lake exploration, wildlife viewing, photography, picnics, and Yellowstone-bound travel.
Fall
Crisp mountain air, fewer crowds, golden forests, scenic overlooks, wildlife movement, photography, and late-season highway travel when conditions allow.
Winter
Snow-covered peaks, limited road access, skiing opportunities, dramatic alpine scenery, and a quieter look at the rugged Beartooth landscape.
Spring
Snowmelt, early-season planning, lower-elevation exploration, reopening anticipation for the Beartooth Highway, fresh mountain scenery, and renewed outdoor adventure.
Ready to Plan Your Montana Adventure?
Let's Create an Experience that's as Unique as You
Contact Us to Begin Your Custom Montana Experience
