Best Stops Red Lodge, MT to Riverton, WY: A Complete Road Trip Guide

On a clear morning in Red Lodge, Montana, the air carries the faint scent of pine and the rumble of the Clark Fork River. Your route to Riverton, Wyoming, begins on US-212, famously known as the Beartooth Highway—a stretch that climbs to 10,947 feet at the Beartooth Pass. This is not just a drive; it's a journey through the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, where glacial geology and ancient volcanic intrusions shape the landscape.

The distance is approximately 320 miles, but the required driving time often stretches to 6–7 hours without stops. Why? Because the Beartooth Pass demands slow, deliberate driving—its switchbacks and hairpin turns offer views that compel you to pull over. Once you descend into Wyoming via WY-120 and US-20/26, the terrain flattens into high desert sagebrush plains, a stark contrast to the alpine how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities of the north.

A lesser-known fact: This route roughly parallels the route of the historic Bridger Trail, used by mountain man Jim Bridger in the 1850s to lead settlers from Wyoming to the Montana goldfields. Today, the only gold you'll find is the amber glow of the sun on the sage at dusk.

Fuel stations along the Beartooth Highway are sparse; fill up in Red Lodge before departure. The next reliable gas is in Cooke City (47 miles), followed by the longer stretch to Cody, Wyoming (80 miles). From Cody to Riverton, stations appear every 30–50 miles along US-20.

• Red Lodge to Cooke City: 47 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes winding mountain road.
• Cooke City to Cody: 80 miles via WY-120, 1.5 hours descending from the Yellowstone region.
• Cody to Thermopolis: 100 miles on US-20, 1.5 hours through the Shoshone River canyon and Bighorn Basin.
• Thermopolis to Riverton: 97 miles on US-20/26, 1.5 hours across the Wind River Reservation.

Road quality is generally good. US-212 is well-maintained but narrow, with no guardrails in some sections. Snow and ice can linger on the pass into June; check road conditions via Wyoming 511 before heading out. From Cody southward, the roads are smooth, straight, and endure occasional crosswinds.

For those asking, "how long to drive Red Lodge, MT to Riverton, WY?"—plan for 6.5 hours non-stop, but with breaks, easily 8–10 hours. Is it worth driving Red Lodge, MT to Riverton, WY? The Beartooth Highway alone makes it a top-tier American road trip.

Safety begins with vehicle prep. The Beartooth Highway has hairpin turns and steep drop-offs; check your brakes and tire pressure before leaving Red Lodge. Cell service is spotty; download offline maps. Children and pets need special attention at altitude (over 10,000 ft). Watch for altitude sickness symptoms and keep them hydrated.

• Family-friendly stop: The Beartooth Basin Ski Area (summer skiing!) near the pass, but only open June–July. The kids can run in the snow patches.
• Another top stop: The Shoshone River Canyon scenic pull-offs for a picnic with a view.
• At Thermopolis, the Hot Springs State Park has a free public bath, ideal for tired legs.

Pet-friendly framework: Most stops in the national forest allow pets on leash. The Beartooth Highway is within Shoshone National Forest. In towns, look for pet-friendly motels like the Kings Inn in Cody or the Super 8 in Thermopolis. Rest areas along US-20 have designated pet relief areas.

Fatigue management: Break up the drive with strategic stops. After the intense mountain segment, pull over at the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway viewpoint near Cody (WY-296). Drink coffee from the Red Lodge Coffee Roasters before departure. If driving with others, swap drivers every 2 hours, especially on the curvy sections.

Hidden off-route spots: Consider a slight detour to the Ghost Town of Kirwin (accessible via high-clearance vehicle from Meeteetse) or the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite near Shell, Wyoming—a 20-mile detour from Greybull.

The scenery shifts dramatically. From Red Lodge, the Beartooth Highway climbs through lodgepole pine forests, past alpine lakes like Beartooth Lake and Island Lake, and across windswept tundra where you might spot pikas or bighorn sheep. The pass itself feels like a moonscape—rock, snow, and sky.

Descending into Wyoming, the landscape turns to arid badlands and river valleys. Near Cody, the Shoshone River has carved a deep canyon with red-hued cliffs. Further south, Thermopolis boasts the world's largest mineral hot spring, a geological wonder. The Wind River Canyon (US-20) cuts through ancient rock layers, with roadside signs explaining the formation of the Absaroka and Owl Creek Mountains.

Local commerce is anchored by tourism. Cody is a hub with motels, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and the nightly rodeo in summer. Thermopolis has the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, a family-focused attraction with real dig sites. Smaller towns like Meeteetse (near Cody) have artisan shops and a wild west vibe.

• Best outdoor gear shop: Sunlight Sports in Cody for hiking and camping supplies.
• Local produce: The Cody Farmers Market (June-September, Thursday afternoons) for huckleberry jam and local honey.
• Unique souvenir: Handmade horsehair pottery from the Wind River Reservation shops near Riverton.

Regarding "things to do between Red Lodge, MT and Riverton, WY", the list is endless: hiking the Beaten Path, fishing the Stillwater River, exploring the hot springs, and visiting the dinosaur museum.