Beartooth Pass to Cooke City High Route
High alpine technical challenge above the clouds
This spectacular high-altitude route links the Beartooth Pass area with the historic mining town of Cooke City via a network of mining roads and pack trails above 10,000 feet. The route passes numerous alpine lakes, abandoned mine shafts, and offers unobstructed views of the Absaroka Range and Yellowstone’s northern peaks. Key landmarks include the Henderson Mountain mining district and the remnants of the New World Mining District near Cooke City, where millions in gold and silver were extracted in the early 1900s.
Expert-level driving required with rock crawling sections, loose talus, and narrow shelves with significant exposure. This route is only accessible July through September, and weather can change rapidly above treeline. Carry chains, recovery gear, and emergency supplies including shelter and extra food. Cell service is nonexistent, and the nearest help could be hours away. The reward is some of the most pristine alpine scenery in North America and access to world-class fishing in remote high-country lakes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 6-8 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with rock sliders |
| Nearest town | Red Lodge, MT |
| Land manager | Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| 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 Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need serious mods?
Stock rigs will get hurt out here. You need at minimum a 2-3 inch lift, all-terrain tires, and rock sliders — the rocky sections above treeline will chew up unprotected rocker panels. Lockers are strongly recommended for the technical pitches near the high route.
When does the Beartooth High Route actually open each season?
Typically late June to early July at the earliest, depending on snowpack — and even then, lingering snow on north-facing aspects can block sections above 10,000 feet. July through mid-September is the reliable window; early October storms can close it fast and without warning.
Do I need a permit to run this route through Custer Gallatin National Forest?
No permit is required for day use or dispersed camping on this route through Custer Gallatin National Forest. Standard Forest Service dispersed camping rules apply — 14-day stay limit, 150 feet from water and trails, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what exactly makes it technical?
The most committing terrain comes on the exposed rocky ridgeline sections where the trail crosses above 11,000 feet — loose talus, embedded boulders, and shelf road edges with serious consequences if you slip a tire. There's no bailout once you're committed to certain sections, and rock placement demands precise line choice, not just ground clearance.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and should I worry about fuel range?
Red Lodge has fuel and is your last reliable stop before the eastern trailhead — Cooke City on the west end has a small gas station but supply can be limited and prices are high. At 28 miles of slow technical driving, fuel burn is higher than highway, so top off in Red Lodge and don't count on Cooke City to bail you out.
Trail track
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