Red Lodge MT to Kanarraville UT: Epic Scenic Drive Guide

Red Lodge, Montana sits at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains, a gateway to one of America's most scenic byways. The Beartooth Highway (US-212) was completed in 1936 as a WPA project, climbing to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass. This route, despite being only 68 miles, takes over two hours due to hairpin turns and steep grades. The exact stretch from Red Lodge to Kanarraville, Utah covers roughly 750 miles, blending Rocky Mountain grandeur with high desert plateaus.

Driving from Red Lodge to Kanarraville is worth it for the sheer diversity of landscapes. You transition from alpine tundra to Wyoming's basins, then into Utah's red rock canyons. The journey typically takes two full days without stops, but stretching it to four days reveals hidden gems. For insights on planning stops, check out this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The primary route follows US-212 West from Red Lodge to I-90 South, then I-94 West briefly to US-310 South. At Billings, take I-90 West to I-94 West/US-12 West near Hardin. Continue on US-212 South through the Crow Reservation to I-90 West again at Little Bighorn. Then I-90 West to US-310 South at Laurel, connecting to US-14 Alt West through the Big Horn Mountains. This brings you to Cody, WY.

From Cody, take US-20 West to Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance. However, during winter (Nov–Apr) the East Entrance is closed, forcing a detour via US-14 Alt to Greybull and then US-16 to Worland and US-20 South. From Yellowstone, continue US-20/191 South through Grand Teton National Park to Jackson, WY. Then US-89 South to US-30 West at Cokeville, then US-30 West to US-89 South at Sage, then I-80 West to exit 42 for Kanarraville.

• Red Lodge to Cody: ~110 miles, 2.5 hours via US-212 and US-310.
• Cody to Jackson: ~200 miles, 4 hours via US-20/191 (Yellowstone open).
• Jackson to Kanarraville: ~440 miles, 7.5 hours via US-89, US-30, I-80.

Fuel stations are sparse between Red Lodge and Cody (none for 60 miles after Red Lodge). Fill up at Red Lodge. Between Cody and Jackson, fuel is available in Yellowstone (Mammoth, Old Faithful) but expensive. In Wyoming's Red Desert (Rock Springs area), stations are 40-50 miles apart. Kanarraville has one gas station at the junction. Best fuel prices are in Cody and Rock Springs.

• Red Lodge: Last cheap gas before mountains.
• Cody: Competitive prices.
• Jackson: Premium pricing due to tourism.
• Rock Springs: Best rates in the region.

Road quality varies. The Beartooth Highway has tight switchbacks and no guardrails in sections; drive under 30 mph. I-80 in Utah is well-maintained. Winter driving (Oct–May) requires chains or 4WD. The most dangerous stretch is US-14A over the Big Horn Mountains (10,000 ft) with sudden snowstorms. Check weather at Wyoming 511.

For families with children, stop at the Yellowstone Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. In Jackson, the Hole Hiking Experience offers kid-friendly snowshoe tours. Kanarraville's Kanarra Creek Trail is doable for ages 6+ but requires water shoes and navigating a 15-foot ladder. Pet-friendly stops: Red Lodge's Yellowstone Bark Park (off-leash), Cody's Beck Lake Dog Park, and Rock Springs' Bunning Park. Most hotels in Jackson and Rock Springs allow pets for a fee.

• Fatigue management: Rest every 2 hours or 100 miles.
• Rest zones: Beartooth Highway pullouts, Yellowstone picnic areas, I-80 rest areas (mile markers 103, 141, 168).
• Hidden off-route spot: Hell's Half Acre (Wyoming) – exit 185 off I-80, a 300-foot-deep crater.

Culinary infrastructure: In Red Lodge, the Red Lodge Cafe serves bison burgers. Cody's Wyoming's Rib & Chop House offers elk chops. In Jackson, Snake River Brewing has craft beer and pub fare. For a splurge, the Old Yellowstone Garage in Jackson (Italian). In Kanarraville, the Cattleman's Cafe has buffet-style American food. Vegetarian options are limited in rural areas; pack snacks.

• Best coffee: Cowboy Coffee Co. in Jackson.
• Best pastry: The Bunnery in Jackson (bear claws).

The Beartooth Highway offers subalpine meadows, glacial lakes, and views of Granite Peak (12,799 ft). Stop at Beartooth Lake for reflection shots. At Rock Creek Vista, look for mountain goats. The route descends into Clark's Fork Canyon with its red sandstone cliffs. In Wyoming, the Big Horn Basin unfolds with sagebrush steppe and the greybadlands of the Red Desert. Near Rock Springs, the Killpecker Sand Dunes are a hidden off-road spot, accessible via county roads 4 miles north of I-80 exit 130.

Local commerce in Red Lodge centers on outdoor gear and western wear. The Carbon County Historical Museum details the town's mining past. In Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a must (five museums under one roof). In Jackson, cowboy bars like the Million Dollar Cowboy Saloon offer live music. Kanarraville, Utah is a farming community; the Kanarraville Mercantile sells local honey and antiques.

• Red Lodge: Beartooth Nature Center (wildlife rehab).
• Cody: Nightly rodeo in summer.
• Jackson: National Elk Refuge sleigh rides in winter.
• Kanarraville: Kanarra Falls hike (slot canyon, 3 miles round trip).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route: Yellowstone National Park (designated 1978) and Grand Teton National Park (designated 1984 as part of the Teton Range). Both are accessible with a park pass. In Yellowstone, the geothermal features (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic) are iconic. Grand Teton offers the Snake River overlook and Jenny Lake boat ride.

• Yellowstone: 2.2 million acres, half the world's geysers.
• Grand Teton: 40-mile-long Teton Range, no foothills.