I may have a chance to do the Beartooth in Yellowstone this summer, probably in late July early Aug. For those who have done it, what can I expect when it comes to traffic? (I will be prepared for cold weather).

I plan on stopping in Redlodge as well. Which hiway would be the best ride, 212 or 296 (Chief Joseph???)?

Thanks for the input

JW

 

Did the Beartooth/Chief Joseph Hwy last year at that time. Stayed in Red Lodge at the Yoedeler and did the Beartooth first then turned onto the Chief Joseph to Cody. Had lunch in Cody then rode over the Bighorns Hwy14 towards Sheridan. It was in the low 30's and flurries when I got to the top of Beartooth Pass, was glad I had my heated gear. The day before when I rode thru Billings it was 100, traffic was light once I got past a string of travel trailers poking up the pass. Scenery wise the Beartooth was best, but I enjoyed riding the Chief Joseph more as the speed limit is higher.

 

we were there in august of this year(sturgis week) and traffic was light. if you are into tee shirts there is a harley boutique shop in cody with some nice beartooth harley shirts. weather was sunny and mild. two days later in glacier n.p., we had snow flurries. that far north you can never know about the weather.

 

Traffic will not be an issue unless you go during the Sturgis Rally. If so you can expect tons of bikes around however, bikes traffic should not pose problems. If you go into Yellowstone, which is crowded that time of year,thats where you'll find traffic. I remember many huge lumbering motorhomes driving slow and backing up traffic on a reg. basis. Also, Yellowstone is huge, it takes a while to get around the park ...without the traffic.
Beartooth (212) and Cheif Joseph(296) are both GREAT roads. These 2 roads intersect just east of Cooke City, if your there you gotta do both. 296 takes you down towards Cody which is a neat town to visit.
Dress warm and take a camera.

 

I rode the Beartooth in July a couple of years ago. Once you get out of Yellowstone heading up the Beartooth the traffic get okay, the traffic in Yellowstone though, that's another story. It can be down right frustrating, all of the sites for sightseeing will be crowded as will be all of the restarurants in the park. Red Lodge is a neat little town but in the summer it also gets pretty trafficky. Don't be in a hurry.