Community Forums

TheOldMan76 · 02-07-2016, 06:19 AM

Planning our spring trip from N. Florida to Yellowstone and back. The above road from Red Lodge Mt to north entrance of Yellowstone @ Cooke City looks very interesting, however after reading all the precautions, high winds, switchbacks, snow storms etc., I'm curious as to should we tackle this with a F350 dually and a 25' 5er, or should we come the other way and make this a side trip with only the truck? Anybody been over this route?

UTTransplant · 02-07-2016, 06:37 AM

With your truck/small 5er combo, you should be able to do it. If you have a diesel, the exhaust brake would make a much easier ride though. A gasser would need to have a very experienced mountain driver. The road is phenomenal. I fact, the biggest reason to do it with only the truck is so you can pull over easier to gape at the beauty all around you.

The weather is always a potential issue. BTW, try to take the Chief Joseph By-way (Hwy 296) too. Another stunning mountain south end Cooke.

missourijan · 02-07-2016, 08:43 AM

No, no and no. While you do have a good size truck and a small 5'r, this road is steep and winding. You may or may not have any brakes left by the time you get down all the way. In addition, you will slow up all the other traffic going up & down. Park the 5'r and drive it in the truck. Trust me on this, don't do it.

Ron_H · 02-07-2016, 09:00 AM

I have ridden that stretch of road on my motorcycle but I definitely WOULD NOT do it in an RV, coach or 5'er.

palehorse89 · 02-07-2016, 09:09 AM

It is one of the top 5 roads in our country to drive in my book, that said, drive it in your truck so you can enjoy the road and its views it has to offer. A lot easier just to pull off to sight see without your fiver.......

TheOldMan76 · 02-07-2016, 09:16 AM

Was really leaning towards making it a day trip with just the truck. Y'all convinced me.

smlranger · 02-07-2016, 09:27 AM

Going from Red Lodge over to Cooke City is more uphill than downhill. We did it several years ago in a 36' DP pulling a Ford Explorer. The diesel worked hard going up the switchbacks but the downhill into Cooke City was not that steep. If you are really comfortable with your equipment and mountain driving, it is certainly not that bad. As noted, you can take an alternate route right outside Red Lodge that will put you on the Chief Joseph highway and avoid that initial steep climb.

In any case, the scenery is breathtaking. It is no wonder that Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway the most scenic road in America.

twogypsies · 02-07-2016, 05:17 PM

You couldn't enjoy the scenery if you're pulling the RV. Do it as a day trip!

KarenS144 · 02-07-2016, 06:04 PM

I've seen rigs on that road and can't believe they make it up, over and down. There have been other posts regarding taking rigs on the Beartooth and someone even bragged about taking their behemoth DP over it. No way, no how would we do it.

It is an absolutely breathtaking road. Do not miss it! There are some really nice FS CGs at the base near Red Lodge that you'd fit in. If you don't want to drive all the way to Cooke City, take the Chief Joseph Hwy back toward Cody. Another camping option would be to stay in Cody and make that loop as a day trip then enter Yellowstone from the east entrance. If you do stay near Red Lodge, go to town & check out City Bakery and the meat shop that is right next door.

Enjoy!