Discover Beartooth Highway’s breathtaking vistas and engaging stories with our self-guided audio tour. Explore at your own pace for an unforgettable adventure.
- Clarks Fork Picnic Area - There’s a nice picnic area coming up in a few moments with up-close view of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.
Note: This 63-mile-long tour covers the essentials of the Beartooth Highway in 4-5 hours.
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Cooke City - Our tour begins just outside the Yellowstone Trading Post, located at 207 Main St, Cooke City. To continue the tour, head east on Beartooth Highway.
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The 45th Parallel - Coming up in about a minute is a pull-out with a pretty cool sign that says “You’re Standing on the 45th Parallel.” The 45th Parallel is the circle of latitude that marks the halfway point between the Equator and the North Pole.
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Clarks Fork Trail - So let’s talk a little bit about the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, whose Upper Fork parallels much of the Beartooth Highway from Cooke City to its junction with the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
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Crazy Creek Falls - Coming up in a few minutes is a small parking area for Crazy Creek Falls. The parking area is right across the highway from the Crazy Creek Campground but it’s easy to miss, so I’m going to point this one out when we get closer.
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Beartooth Highway - As we’re soon to see, the Beartooth Highway crosses some of the wildest and most scenic landscapes in all of America. Due to high snowfall and wild winds, it’s impossible for road crews to keep the roads safely open in winter, so it’s only typically open each year from the Friday before Memorial Day through early October, we can expect to see some new snow lingering in the higher elevations until early to mid July, and snowstorms can happen at any time. I’ve even seen them in the middle of summer.
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Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area - It’s definitely worth a stop for the views of Twin Lakes from here and if it’s early in the summer, we can watch some diehard skiers dropping into the basin.
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Beartooth Highway - The Beartooth Highway crosses some of the wildest and most scenic landscapes in all of America. Due to high snowfall and wild winds, it’s impossible for road crews to keep the roads safely open in winter, so it’s only typically open each year from the Friday before Memorial Day through early October, we can expect to see some new snow lingering in the higher elevations until early to mid July, and snowstorms can happen at any time.
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Clay Butte Lookout - I highly recommend making the three-mile drive to the lookout tower if we have the time available. The road is unpaved and a lot of turns in places so it’s not suitable for RVs or trailers but it should be easily navigable for most passenger cars.
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Beartooth Lake - we start really getting into our climb up to Beartooth Pass and many of our grandest views are still ahead of us.
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Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area - It’s definitely worth a stop for the views of Twin Lakes from here and if it’s early in the summer, we can watch some diehard skiers dropping into the basin.
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Lake Creek Road - There’s a really nice waterfall not too far from the road but it isn’t marked so it’s super easy to miss. I’ll be sure to point it out as soon as we get closer.
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Red Lodge - Like many small western mountain towns, Red Lodge was built around mining. James George, also known as Yankee Jim, discovered huge coal deposits while looking for gold in upper Rock Creek back in 1866.
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Rock Creek Canyon - It’s now all downhill to Red Lodge and sadly, our best views are behind us. What are we? Are we going to turn around? No, let’s just keep on going. It’s not to say that we don’t still have some lovely canyon views ahead of us. Our route will follow the path of Rock Creek, which begins high in the beartooths and flows more than 55 miles to its confluence with the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, just before it empties into the main Yellowstone River.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Explore the majestic Beartooth Highway with this self-guided tour. Connecting Red Lodge, Montana to Cooke City and Yellowstone’s Northeast entrance, this stunning route climbs to nearly 11,000 feet. Marvel at breathtaking vistas from Top of the World and the striking formations of Pilot and Index Peak. Enjoy the serenity of Island Lake. Explore alpine plateaus and lakes. Open from Memorial Day to late September, this memorable journey covers stunning landscapes and mountain passes.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. There’s no expiration, making it perfect for revisiting on future trips.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
- For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
