You’re probably looking for that winding, high-altitude high. I get it. The Beartooth Highway is legendary—Charles Kuralt called it the most beautiful drive in America, and he wasn't exactly known for hyperbole. But if you’re checking beartooth pass road conditions today, you need the reality check before you load up the SUV in Red Lodge.
The gates are locked.
It’s January 13, 2026, and the Beartooth Pass is currently buried under several feet of wind-whipped snow. This isn't just a "watch for ice" situation; it’s a full-on seasonal shutdown. For those unfamiliar with how high-altitude Montana and Wyoming roads work, the Beartooth (US 212) basically goes into hibernation from mid-October until late May. Right now, the only things moving up there are snowmobiles and the occasional hardy grizzly who hasn't quite settled in for a nap.
The Reality of Winter on US 212
Honestly, trying to maintain this road in January would be a fool's errand. We’re talking about a pass that peaks at 10,947 feet. Up there, the weather doesn't just "get cold"—it gets violent.
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The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) don't even try to plow the section between the Long Lake gate (near the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway intersection) and the descent into Red Lodge. It’s too dangerous. The wind speeds can hit hurricane force, creating massive drifts that would swallow a plow truck whole.
Current reports from the WYDOT 511 system show "Slick in Spots" and "Extreme Blow Over Risk" on the lower, open sections like WY 296, but the actual pass? It’s officially marked as Closed for the Season.
Why the closure lasts so long
- Elevation: At nearly 11,000 feet, the air is thin and the snow is relentless.
- Jurisdiction: The road is a weird patchwork of management between the National Park Service (NPS) and the states of Montana and Wyoming. This complicates things, but the bottom line is that no one has the budget or the survival instinct to keep it open in the dead of winter.
- Safety: There are zero guardrails on some of those switchbacks. Slide off in a blizzard, and you aren't just stuck; you're gone.
Beartooth Pass Road Conditions Today: What’s Actually Accessible?
If you’re in the area and just want a taste of the mountains, you aren't totally out of luck, but you have to keep your expectations low.
You can drive from Red Lodge up to the "Lower Gate" or Vista Point if the weather is clear, but MDT often closes even those lower stretches during active storms. On the Wyoming side, you can take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY 296) to get to Cooke City and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. Cooke City is famously "landlocked" in the winter—you can get there from the park (Mammoth Hot Springs through the Lamar Valley), but you can't get there via the Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge.
Basically, if you’re trying to get from Billings to Yellowstone right now, the GPS might try to lie to you and suggest the Beartooth. Don't listen. You’ll end up at a locked gate with a lot of snow and a very long U-turn.
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Traveling the Lamar Valley
The road from Gardiner, Montana, through the North Entrance to Cooke City is the only way in or out of that corner of the world during winter. It's kept open primarily to ensure the residents of Silver Gate and Cooke City don't starve. It’s a stunning drive—probably the best wolf-watching spot on the planet right now—but it is NOT the Beartooth Highway.
When Will It Open?
Everyone asks this. Every year.
The "target" date is always the Friday before Memorial Day. For 2026, that puts us looking at May 22. But "target" is the keyword there. I’ve seen years where they don't get the gates open until mid-June because a late May blizzard dumped four feet of fresh powder on the road crews.
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The plowing process is a massive undertaking. They use GPS-guided rotaries because the snow is so deep the drivers can't even see where the road is. They're literally carving a canyon out of white walls.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip to see the beartooth pass road conditions today, stop. Instead, pivot your planning to the late spring or summer. Here is how you actually track this road like a local:
- Check the 511 Maps Directly: Don't trust third-party travel blogs that haven't been updated since 2022. Use the WYDOT 511 map or the MDT traveler info.
- Monitor the "Opening" Progress in May: Starting in early May, the National Park Service usually posts photos of the plowing progress. It’s a great way to gauge if they'll hit that Memorial Day goal.
- Have a Plan B: If you're visiting in late May or early October, always have a backup route via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. The Beartooth can close for 24 hours in the middle of July if a freak cold front moves through.
- Check the Webcam: There is a webcam at Beartooth Top of the World Store. In the winter, it often looks like a white sheet of paper. If you can see the road, it’s a miracle. If you see a wall of white, stay in Red Lodge and grab a beer at Red Lodge Ales instead.
The Beartooth is a seasonal privilege, not a year-round right. Respect the closure, stay safe, and wait for the thaw. It’s worth the wait.