Posted in Wyoming by Caryl

The Most Scenic Drive In America Can Be Found On Wyoming’s Highway 212

Sometimes you just want to hop in the car, sit back, relax and enjoy the view. When you live way out here in the Cowboy State, that’s pretty easy to do! With all the beautiful scenery, Wyoming is one of the best states to explore on a long and scenic drive. In fact, traveling CBS journalist, Charles Kuralt, called one of our highways “the most beautiful drive in America.” Gas up the car, gather your family, and head out on the most scenic drive in Wyoming.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

Wyoming 212 is known as the Beartooth Highway, and it winds through the Absaroka Range on the Wyoming-Montana border. By TwinsMetsFan - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8936542 The Beartooth Highway runs for 68-miles, and it has been designated as a National Scenic Byway All-American Road in Wyoming. It was one of the first roads to be established under the Park Approaches Act of 1931! The road winds through southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming and into the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Even though the highway begins and ends in Montana, a large section snakes through the northwest corner of Wyoming. By Sebwite - I took a photo of the sign on public property, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36400564 The 3 gateway communities that provide easy access to Beartooth Highway are Cooke City, Montana; Red Lodge, Montana; and Cody, Wyoming - via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. This route offers the experience of traveling the highest paved highway in the Northern Rocky Mountains. It reaches its peak at Beartooth Pass, where you'll be able to see for miles. By Phil Armitage - http://www.philarmitage.net/beartooths/beartooths02.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=813269 The Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains will lay out before you, and you'll be able to spot stunning lakes, cliffs, and peaks from the many turnouts along the highway. This drive isn't for the faint of heart. The path along Beartooth Highway is a series of steep switchbacks, sheer drops and hairpin turns. By WizardFusion - I (WizardFusion) created this work entirely by myself., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17411685 At the top of Beartooth Pass, the highway levels off into a broad plateau. Because of the high altitude and heavy snowfall during the winter months, the pass is usually only open from May to October. When the pass opens for the season, travelers enjoy spotting wildlife and wildflowers on their journey. Flickr/m01229 You'll want to bring a camera to capture the beauty all around you! The ecosystem on display will give you a newfound appreciation for the Cowboy State. Flickr/Justin Kern Travelers get to experience the high alpine plateaus with glacial lakes, lush forest valleys, waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. The drive quickly transitions from a lush forest ecosystem to alpine tundra.

Here’s a very informative video put out by the U.S. Forest Service Department of Agriculture.

For other scenic drives scattered throughout the Cowboy State, check out 12 Beautiful Byways In Wyoming Perfect For A Scenic Drive and plan your next alpine adventure.