BearTooth pass to Yellowstone

[ambbmw]

Taking a short trip next month with a buddy. We will originate in Billings Montana and have 3 days to ride. We will be going over Beartooth and heading to Yellowstone. Want to make the most of these 3 days, so other than Beartooth, what are the must do's going to Yellowstone and while there?

[SIBUD]

Welcome to the forum Glad to have you here.

I'm sure you are already planning on it, but if you ride the Beartooth you will also want to continue on the Chief Joseph Highway to Cody.

Looking forward to seeing a report of your trip complete with pictures.

[Montana]

Any paved road in the region.

I like the ride between Red Lodge and Columbus or Red Lodge and Absarokee. Stop at the Grizzly Bar in Roscoe. Stop at Chico Hot Springs. Go see Ennis and go through Virginia City. If you make it Jackson, loop back to Montana via Mesa Falls. Hwy 12 between Townsend and Roundup. Open google, point and shoot. You can't go wrong. But stay fueled up, it's a long way between stations in most areas.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

You'll have a ride of lifetime even if it 'only' 3 days. That part of the country is my favorite area to ride. Cody is cool and so is Yellowstone if you stay in the western part of the park. I'd avoid the tourist trap of 'Old Faithful' at all cost, the beauty is elsewhere in the park.
Have fun!!

[rinty]

There is a recent thread on this topic. Just do a search under "Beartooth" and you'll pull up all the threads.

[Polarbear]

Not near enough, BUT Beartooth is a GREAT start and maybe a stop in Cody and a very quick loop through East Yellowstone and your time is up! Best three day ride you'll ever go on, or one of them:).....Randy:thumb PS; I assume your buddy knows the pass road open/close scenario this time of year...SNOW...

[Visian]

west of red lodge, prior to heading up over the beartooth pass, there are some excellent campgrounds along US212.

also, not sure how long you want to stay in the area but here is my idea of a great 3-day loop:

US212 west over Beartooth
Chief Joseph Scenic Highway south to Cody
US14 west into Yellowstone, do the loop
US14 east through Cody
US14A east over the Bighorn mountains (phenomenal ride!!! :thumb)
I90 west back to Billings.

this would be mostly riding, not alotta stopping and doing.

if you are adventurous, check out the Rosebud Battlefield State Park, Little Bighorn, and the back roads through the Indian reservations instead of slabbing back to Billings.

have a good time!

ian

[judjones]

Yellowstone is a place I love to hate. there is so much spectacular scenery and wildlife that the eyes almost glaze over, usually given that final push by the tedium of trundling along in the Winnebago parade. I prefer the other recommendations, Bear Tooth, Sunlight Basin (take the side trip off WY 120 to Clark and beyond to the end of the made road, and see the spectacular canyon of the Clark Fork from the east side; you can look into it from the west at the overlook on the Chief Joseph/ Sunlight basin side.

You don't say what you are riding. If not gravel-averse, the Meeteetse Trail and the ride up to Hellroaring Plateau are challenging but doable on a lighter (say Airhead) street bike.

Ditto on 14A through the Big Horns. be sure to take the time to walk up to the Medicine Wheel on the western promontory. The ride up Shell Canyon from Greybull is the prettiest way up the western slope. US16 through Ten Sleep Canyon to Buffalo is a nice ride, too, but the eastern face does not compare with 14A. However, if you are willing to try some gravel, crazy Woman canyon makes an interesting diversion. Not bad on a street bike except for some stretches of loose rock toward the lower (eastern) end; bear in mind that the condition of an unpaved road can vary from year to year and from day to day, depending on weather.

Starting in Billings, it might be worth a ride to Ft. Smith to see the yellowtail dam and reservoir, where the eponymous river comes out of the mountains. Easy to work this together with a trip to crow Agency and the Custer battlefield.

[Stokes73]

west of red lodge, prior to heading up over the beartooth pass, there are some excellent campgrounds along US212.

also, not sure how long you want to stay in the area but here is my idea of a great 3-day loop:

US212 west over Beartooth

ian

I'm leaving on 7/1 from VA and heading West on my R1100RT. I had planned on riding around Yellowstone and staying in West Yellowstone before heading north to Whitefish, MT and Glacier. After reading your comments I think I'll ride around Yellowstone and out over Beartooth. A friend just told me not to miss Beartooth so that's two recommendations. Guess I'll have to make an itinerary change.

Thanks for the camping tip too!

Paul
"Keep the rubber side down"