Beartooth Pass North Slope Road — Red Lodge to Cooke City via Gardner Lake Spur and Line Creek Plateau
Above the Beartooth pavement where the tundra takes over.
The Beartooth Highway gets all the press, but the dirt tracks that spit off its north slope — particularly the Line Creek Plateau road and the spur toward Gardner Lake — put you on top of the world in a way that asphalt never can. You’re above 10,000 feet before you know it, crossing open tundra with views stretching from the Absaroka peaks all the way north toward the Pryor Mountains on a clear day. The surface is compact gravel and dirt, manageable for most high-clearance rigs, but afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast up here and the plateau edges are unforgiving. Gardner Lake itself sits in a glacial cirque that looks like it was painted by someone who had never seen anything subtle in their life.
Moderate difficulty overall — the grades are long rather than technical, and a stock high-clearance 4WD handles it in dry conditions. The altitude is the real variable: mechanical problems at 10,500 feet with afternoon lightning rolling in is a different category of problem than the same issue at sea level. The Beartooth Highway closes roughly October through late May depending on snowpack — check Wyoming DOT before committing. No permits required for day use on the plateau spurs. Red Lodge has everything you need for fuel and supplies. Dispersed camping available on Custer-Gallatin National Forest land adjacent to the highway corridor.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10900 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Red Lodge, MT |
| Land manager | Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle the North Slope Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle like a 4Runner, Wrangler, or Tacoma is the baseline minimum. The dirt and gravel surface is manageable, but you need actual 4WD engagement and decent clearance — a stock Subaru or AWD crossover will get you into trouble on the rougher spur sections toward Gardner Lake.
When does this route typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. At nearly 11,000 feet, snow can linger into late June and return hard by October — sometimes earlier. Check with Custer Gallatin National Forest before heading out, especially early or late season.
Do I need a permit to drive the North Slope Road or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard Custer Gallatin National Forest rules — no fee, no reservation, just follow Leave No Trace and any posted fire restrictions, which can be strict during dry summers.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The Gardner Lake spur and upper Line Creek Plateau sections are where it gets real — exposed shelf road, loose gravel, and limited room to maneuver if you meet someone coming the other way. Nothing extreme, but inattention at altitude on a narrow two-track with drop-offs gets people in trouble. Take it slow and don't let the views distract you at the wrong moment.
Is there water available on the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but treat anything you collect — giardia doesn't care about the scenery. For gas, fuel up in Red Lodge before you leave; it's the last reliable stop, and Cooke City at the far end has limited and expensive fuel. Don't bank on it being open or affordable.
Trail track
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