Sheridan to Red Lodge: Epic Beartooth Highway Road Trip

This 140-mile route begins in Sheridan, WY (elevation 3,745 ft) and climbs to Red Lodge, MT (elevation 5,568 ft) via US-Alt 14 and the legendary Beartooth Highway (US-212).

Driving time without stops is roughly 2.5–3 hours, but plan for 5–7 hours to fully absorb the scenery and attractions.

Sheridan, founded as a railroad town in 1882, sits at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. The route crosses the Wyoming-Montana state line near the community of Belfry, MT.

One odd historic quirk: US-Alt 14 was originally a wagon road used by Native American tribes and later by stagecoaches. Today, it offers a quieter alternative to I-90.

The Beartooth Highway, completed in 1936, is a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, famous for its switchbacks and views of the Beartooth Plateau.

Safety concerns primarily involve wildlife (deer, elk, and occasionally moose) and rapidly changing weather. Fog is common at high elevations, especially in the morning.

Carry chains from October through May; the Beartooth Highway often closes due to snow from October to May. Check the Montana Department of Transportation for closures.

• Family-friendly stops: Burgess Junction Visitor Center (restrooms, maps, and a small gift shop).
• Kid activities: The Wyoming Buffalo Company in Sheridan offers buffalo viewing and educational talks.
• Pet-friendly framework: Leashed dogs are allowed on most national forest trails; the Beartooth Highway requires pets to be inside the vehicle at overlooks due to wildlife.

Fatigue management: break every 2 hours or 100 miles. The driving is demanding due to altitude and curves. Rest zones include:

1. Dayton Park (picnic tables, restrooms) at the base of the Bighorns.
2. Burgess Junction (elevation 8,000 ft) has a scenic overlook and short walking loop.
3. Pilot and Index Overlooks on US-212 (panoramic views, pullouts).

Hidden off-route spots: take County Road 77 (dirt) near Red Lodge to the Mystic Lake trailhead; the lake has turquoise water and is less crowded. Another gem is the road to the Sunlight Basin (WY-296), a remote valley with hot springs.

Fuel is scarce in the mountainous sections, so fill up in Sheridan (multiple stations along N Main St/US-87) or Dayton (one station at the junction of US-14 and WY-343).

The only other guaranteed gas is in Red Lodge at the end of the route. In between, Burgess Junction has a seasonal gas pump (May–October) but no 24-hour service.

Cell service is spotty; AT&T and T-Mobile have coverage in Sheridan and Red Lodge, but large gaps exist near the state line and in the Bighorn National Forest.

Road conditions: US-Alt 14 is well-paved but narrow with no shoulders in parts. The Beartooth Highway (US-212) has steep grades (up to 9% incline) and tight switchbacks. Check weather at NPS Beartooth Highway conditions.

• Sheridan to Dayton: flat agricultural land, good road.
• Dayton to Burgess Junction: winding mountain road with hairpin curves.
• Burgess Junction to Red Lodge: alpine tundra, high elevation (over 10,000 ft), potential snow even in July.

For tips on planning stops, see our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The route traverses three distinct ecosystems: the Powder River Basin grasslands, the Bighorn Mountains, and the Beartooth Plateau.

Key natural attractions include the Bighorn National Forest (elk, mule deer, black bears) and the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark (a 700-year-old Indigenous stone circle near Burgess Junction).

• Dayton area: Tongue River Canyon, a short hike with limestone cliffs.
• Bighorn Mountains: Granite Creek Falls, a 30-ft waterfall accessible via a 0.5-mile trail.
• Beartooth Plateau: miles of alpine tundra with wildflowers, marmots, and views of the Absaroka Range.

Local commerce in Sheridan includes the King's Saddlery museum (handmade saddles and Western gear) and the Historic Sheridan Inn (built 1893, once tended by Buffalo Bill Cody).

Red Lodge has the Red Lodge Mountain resort (skiing in winter, hiking in summer) and the Carbon County Historical Society museum, which details mining and rodeo history.

Between towns, you'll find small ranches, fly-fishing outfitters (e.g., Bighorn River Outfitters), and seasonal fruit stands selling Montana cherries in August.