Bear Tooth Highway

YELL Routes

Every summer folks want to beat gravity...some do, some don't.

It's kind of a local game to count the exploded trans oil spots out here.

Read Cruzer's article...head West and be safe out there. :) :)

Wasn't fun pulling a pop-up and wife overheated the minivan driving in trace. Amazing view. I want to drive it again. Not towing anything and not in an RV.

It's an amazing drive but we left the 5er at camp and took the truck. In my book not only would it be stressful and foolish to tow but you'd have no ability to get out and enjoy the stunning vistas. Leave the 5er and drive it-you won't regret it.

knshook wrote:
It's an amazing drive but we left the 5er at camp and took the truck. In my book not only would it be stressful and foolish to tow but you'd have no ability to get out and enjoy the stunning vistas. Leave the 5er and drive it-you won't regret it.

what he said

I know I didn't have the same size rig, but I went up it in'82 with a Dodge maxi-van with a 360cid/180hp and 3.23 rear end. No over heating and we used the pull outs to see the sights. Back then no internet for someone to tell me not to do it. We have not had a chance to do it since.

I've read threads where people brag that they did it driving a 40'+ MH or pulling some sort of long trailer and I suppose if you're really lucky and meet no traffic on those hairpin switchbacks and have really really good brakes, you might be able to do it. I can't see where it would be anything but a white knuckle drive and certainly not enjoyable with even a medium sized RV.

I have gone over it from Yellowstone Park to Red Lodge with a 29' 5er, but I also have traveled 14A over the Big Horns both ways and have gone over the Teton Pass.

robnmar wrote:
I know there is a lot of discussion about going on this highway with a motorhome, but has anyone done it pulling a 38' fifth wheel? I probably wont go over it i will probably take the chief Joseph highway instead. Just curious to hear peoples opinions

While the Chief Joseph is less of a climb and descent than the Beartooth, it still has some significant mountain driving, particularly going down the switchbacks on the Yellowstone side of Dead Indian pass. Lower gears are a must. The scenery is beautiful.

Some pictures of the descent:

Some of the switchbacks visible from the pull out at the top of Dead Indian pass.


On the way down.

With 45+ years of mountain driving behind me, it wouldn't bother me, but I doubt I'd enjoy it much either. I drove it both directions with a 30-foot motorhome 20 years ago. It was a pleasant drive, but I was constantly pulling over to let cars pass me, and that was 30 feet total, not 50+ feet.


Bear Tooth is currently closed due to recent snows. They just got it opened last Friday, and now the whole state/area is getting dumped on with rain in the valleys and snow in the mountains! I haven't heard when it'll be reopened, but I'd expect it to clear again in a couple days. Wind River Canyon (south of Thermopolis) is also closed due to mudslides, along with a few other highways in Wyoming. For anyone headed this way right now, check ahead. This has been the wettest May since '78.

Pictures above look easy. Is the grade over 10%?