Three Days North of Yellowstone National Park
Day 1
HIGHWAY 78 AND SCENIC LOOPS
Start the day in Red Lodge with a hearty breakfast at Prindy’s Place or Cafe Regis—both are mouthwatering options. Then hit the road and head north on Highway 78. You’ll encounter incredible views around every curve, but two scenic drives along the way deliver even more jaw-dropping vistas: The first starts in Roscoe—site of the renowned Grizzly Bar—and spans 18 miles, looping through the tiny town of Luther before connecting back with 78. The second, the Absarokee Scenic Loop Drive, begins in the community of Absarokee, and travels 44 miles through Beehive and Nye before reaching Fishtail. In this small mountain community, you’ll find both Tippet Rise Art Center and Fishtail General Store, and both are worth a visit. Plan in advance to visit Tippet Rise (access is in summer only and is limited)—the one-of-a-kind art center screens films, hosts musical performances and features large-scale art installations, all on the grounds of a working sheep and cattle ranch. Fishtail General Store is the oldest continuously operated general store in Montana, and it still provides customers a little bit of everything—like groceries, Made-in-Montana gifts, fishing and hunting gear and licenses, and made-to-order deli sandwiches—just like it has since 1900.
COLUMBUS
From Fishtail, loop back onto Highway 78 and continue north to Columbus, near the confluence of the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers. Have lunch at 307 Bar & Grill then check out the Museum of the Beartooths, which features engaging exhibits on life in Stillwater County over the last 100+ years. Experience more local history—and a shot of real Montana character—by popping into the New Atlas Bar, located in a building that dates to 1916 and has a notably well-preserved interior, one adorned with an impressive array of taxidermy—including a two-headed calf. If you’re in town on a Thursday during the summer, don’t miss the Columbus Farmers Market.
SCULPTURES AND SAILING (OR SWIMMING OR FISHING OR…)
Leaving Columbus, take Highway 212 south to head back toward Red Lodge. As you come upon the town of Joliet, be on the lookout for the roadside metal sculptures by local artist Charles Ringer. Joliet also boasts a large historic residential district and quite a few buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a picturesque place to stroll. In Boyd, stop at the Boyd Store for snacks, Montana treasures or even live bait before heading to Cooney State Park, where the inviting lake makes for great fishing or a quick dip, and favorable winds mean exceptional opportunities for sailing or kiteboarding.
OVERNIGHT IN RED LODGE
Relax after a day of exploration with a walk through downtown Red Lodge, followed by dinner at one of Red Lodge’s numerous great eateries, like PREROGATIvE Kitchen, Carbon County Steakhouse or Red Lodge Pizza Co. Stay at the historic Pollard Hotel or the charming Yodeler Motel and rest up for the next day’s adventures.
Day 2
LEISURELY RED LODGE MORNING
Head to Coffee Factory Roasters or Cattail Bakery for a light breakfast—both offer sweet and savory treats to pair with your morning coffee. Then make your way up Broadway Ave. to the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary at the north end of town. Here, you’ll see native inhabitants of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem up close and—with a morning visit—at their most active. The residents include bison, wolves, owls, hawks, foxes, bobcats and other animals that for various reasons can’t be returned to the wild. Next, check out the Carbon County Historical Society & Museum to explore exhibits on local history, including the Crow Nation, historic firearms, mining and two famous rodeo families.
THE SMALL TOWNS OF THE CLARK’S FORK RIVER VALLEY
Embark on a tour of quaint communities that dot this picturesque valley at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains. Take Hwy. 308 east out of Red Lodge to Belfry, situated on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. The town has railroad roots dating back more than a century—its Kose Grocery Store Building is on the National Register of Historic Places—but today is mainly a farming community. The town holds its Pioneer Days parade and festivities every summer, so be sure to check if your travels coincide with those events. From Belfry, head north on Hwy. 72, then pick up Hwy. 310 to head north to Bridger. Stop in at the Garage Steakhouse and Buckeye Bar Casino, which serves coffee and ice cream up front and features a bar and casino in back, or visit BoJa Farm to pick up farm-fresh, chemical-free produce—and maybe even take a farm or orchard tour. Just up the highway from Bridger you’ll find the town of Fromberg. It’s home to the Clark’s Fork Valley Museum, which is housed in an 1899 railroad depot building that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. By now you’ll have worked up an appetite, so continue north on 310 to reach the town of Edgar—and the Edgar Bar and Steakhouse, where scratch-made dishes and warm hospitality await. Don’t miss their famous jumbo prawns!
RIVER RECREATION IN ROCKVALE AND PARK CITY
Refueled from lunch, drive north on 310 from Edgar for a handful of minutes to reach the town of Rockvale. The confluence of Rock Creek and the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River is nearby, making it a good spot for some relaxing river time, or take Hwy. 212 to I-90 and head west to Park City, which sits just north of the Yellowstone River and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Post river, head back the way you came toward Red Lodge, making sure to stop in Silesia to hit up the Quick Stop Drive-In for a tasty treat—they serve up shakes, malts, ice cream cones and other fun frozen creations.
BACKTRACK TO BEARCREEK AND RED LODGE
Retrace your route back to Red Lodge, taking Hwy. 212 south to 310 and 72 before turning west on 308, all the while enjoying views of the rugged Beartooths looming. Stop in Bearcreek just a few miles out from Red Lodge—you don’t want to miss the Bear Creek Downs Pig Races held at Bear Creek Saloon and Steakhouse in the summer. Grab a bite and/or a beer and place your bets on which of the porkers will be the fastest of the bunch—some of the betting funds are donated to scholarships for Carbon County high school students. After you’ve had your fill of the rousing races, drive the last 7.5 miles to Red Lodge for the night.
Day 3
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRIVE IN AMERICA
Start your day with breakfast in Red Lodge then hop onto Highway 212, this time heading south on the stretch known as the Beartooth Highway. This famed highway holds National Scenic Byway and All-American Road designations and has been called “the most beautiful drive in America.” Over the length of its 68 miles, you’ll experience jaw-dropping views as you pass through the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest and navigate switchbacks to climb to Beartooth Pass at nearly 11,000 feet elevation. Take advantage of the numerous scenic pullouts along the way to really take in the incredible landscapes laid out before you.
COOKE CITY AND SILVER GATE
The Beartooth Highway takes at least two or three hours to drive, so by the time you reach its end just outside of Cooke City, you’ll likely be ready for some lunch. The Beartooth Cafe serves burgers, soups and salads and has options for kids, too. After lunch, spend some time at the Cooke City Montana Museum—it has exhibits on the Beartooth Highway, life in the remote communities of Cooke City, Silver Gate and Colter Pass over the years and even an authentic miner’s cabin on the grounds. For another dose of history, check out the Cooke City Store, one of the oldest general stores in Montana, where they still sell penny candy. There are also opportunities nearby to hike, with a handful of trailheads within a 15-minute drive. When you start getting hungry for dinner, make your way to Silver Gate, Cooke City’s sister city just 3 miles west. In this charming community, built with log buildings and rustic architecture only, stop into the Log Cabin Cafe for a trout dinner—it’s tradition here to serve it with pumpkin bread. From Silver Gate, the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a mere mile away, or travel back to Red Lodge where you started, experiencing the incredible Beartooth Highway once more.
