Bear Tooth Highway

I did it with my 34 foot fifth wheel four years ago. I took my time and didn't have any problems. We saw a good variety of wild life and beautiful scenery. No overheating problems and I pulled off whenever someone came up behind me.

n7bsn wrote:

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

Yep.

the beartooth descent into Red Lodge MT is straight down the side of a cliff, with about 6 switchbacks snaking the road down. there are no pull outs that I recall on that part of the descent. the switchbacks themselves are wide enough for you unless you meet some yeahoo just as big who is coming UP the road. LOL
it's just not a good road for a long, wide, heavy rig. period.
it won't be any fun for the driver and the passenger will probably be scared stiff.
do yourself a big favor and drive it in your truck. :)

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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