Trip Planner
Welcome to the end of the road! In winter, that’s literal — the famous Beartooth Highway (U.S. Route 212) closes eastbound beyond Cooke City for the season. But don’t let the remoteness dissuade you; there’s a lot of adventure to uncover here. Winter lasts seven months in this part of Montana, and Cooke City thrives with snowmobiling, backcountry exploration and rugged beauty that more than makes up for its remoteness.
Only about 140 hardy people call Cooke City home year-round, but the population swells in summer. Together with Silver Gate, this remote outpost offers access to the stunning wilderness of the Custer Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests. Mining relics dot the mountains, and the Bannock Indian Trail whispers of the area’s ancient history. Visitors driving the “most scenic drive in America” (the Beartooth Highway) find themselves passing through Cooke City before entering the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park, renowned for wildlife watching.
Snowmobiling is a huge draw here, with late-season snow into June and even July. Ride to Daisy Pass, freeride on Henderson Mountain or boondock through deep powder meadows and forests. Warmer months invite hiking, fishing, and horseback riding in this mountain playground. Don’t miss the Cooke City Montana Museum, where the town’s fascinating history and culture come to life.
Rub elbows with locals at the Miners Saloon, a staple of Cooke City life once frequented by Ernest Hemingway and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Order a pizza, chat about the latest snowmobiling runs or cozy up with a drink while swapping stories.
Visit the Cooke City Store, one of the oldest general stores in Montana, for supplies, souvenirs, and a dose of local history. And remember, there’s no cell service in Cooke City, so embrace the opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature.
Every March, Cooke City rallies around the Hog Roast Fundraiser for the Upper Yellowstone Snowmobile Club — complete with good food, live music and plenty of snow-loving camaraderie. Come August, the Forget Me Knot Festival brings arts and music to town.
