Beartooth Pass Alpine Loop
Technical alpine challenge in Montana's high country
The Beartooth Pass Alpine Loop takes you into Montana’s most unforgiving high country, where the main highway is just the starting point for a network of old mining roads that climb toward 11,000 feet. This route branches off the famous Beartooth Highway near Clay Butte, following mining tracks through boulder fields and alpine tundra where weather can turn deadly in minutes. The technical sections demand precise wheel placement through loose rock gardens, while washouts from spring snowmelt create new obstacles each season.
Difficult terrain requires serious 4WD capability—rock sliders and skid plates aren’t optional here. The short summer window from mid-July to early September is your only shot, and even then afternoon thunderstorms can bring snow and lightning above treeline. Carry survival gear, extra fuel, and emergency supplies since cell service is nonexistent and rescue could take days. This isn’t a beginner route, but experienced drivers get access to some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the lower 48, where few vehicles ever tread.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10900 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Red Lodge, Montana |
| Land manager | U.S. Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock Wrangler will struggle — the rock gardens demand real clearance and skid plate protection. The trail lists modified 4WD with armor as the minimum, so at least a lift, all-terrain tires, and solid underbody protection are non-negotiable before you show up.
When does the Beartooth Pass Alpine Loop actually open each year?
July through September is your window. Snow lingers well into June at 10,900 feet and early-season snowfall can close it again by late September — check with the Custer Gallatin National Forest or call the Red Lodge ranger district before you leave home.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping on U.S. Forest Service land is free, but standard USFS rules apply — 14-day stay limit, camp 200 feet from water sources and trails, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what actually makes it technical?
The rocky alpine sections above treeline are where it gets serious — exposed rock gardens with large, loose boulders that require precise line selection and can catch your rocker panels or suspension hard if you're sloppy. There's no bailout once you're committed up high, so a mechanical failure at elevation means a long, ugly recovery situation.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any cell service on the route?
Red Lodge is your last reliable fuel stop before you head out — top off there, no exceptions. Cell service is completely dead on this trail, so download offline maps, carry a satellite communicator, and make sure someone knows your itinerary before you roll.
Trail track
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