The question we hear every spring in Red Lodge is simple: when does Beartooth Pass open? The honest local answer is that the road usually opens in late May, often around Memorial Day weekend, but there is no date anyone can promise far in advance. At nearly 11,000 feet, winter holds on up there, and a few feet of snow, a late storm, or road repairs can change the plan.
That uncertainty is part of what makes the Beartooth so remarkable. This is not a scenic drive built around a calendar. It is a high-country route that opens when crews have safely cleared it and the mountain is ready to welcome travelers.
When Does Beartooth Pass Open Each Year?
Beartooth Pass, on the Beartooth Highway section of US Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana, and Cooke City, Montana, typically opens for through travel in late May or early June. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional target, and many years the route does open then. Still, visitors should treat that date as a hopeful benchmark, not a guarantee.
The pass reaches 10,947 feet, where deep snowpack and spring weather are serious business. Plow crews may be working through snowbanks taller than a vehicle, while overnight temperatures can remain below freezing well into spring. A route that is clear one afternoon can face a temporary closure after a fresh snowstorm or high winds.
If driving the full Beartooth Highway is the centerpiece of your trip, the most dependable window is generally mid-June through September. Early June can be wonderful for travelers who enjoy snow-covered peaks, rushing waterfalls, and fewer cars, but it calls for flexibility. July and August bring the broadest access to overlooks, trailheads, and alpine lakes, along with busier roads and more afternoon thunderstorms.
Why the Opening Date Can Change
The highway is maintained by transportation crews in Montana and Wyoming, and reopening the pass involves much more than pushing snow off the pavement. Crews need safe visibility, stable road conditions, functioning guardrails and signs, and enough room for traffic to move through high snow corridors. Avalanche concerns and late-season rockfall can also affect the timeline.
A warm April in Red Lodge does not necessarily mean an early opening on the pass. The town sits at a much lower elevation than the highway’s highest stretches. It is entirely possible to enjoy a sunny patio breakfast in town while the road above is still surrounded by winter.
Travelers sometimes see a reported opening date and assume the route will remain open continuously. Spring conditions can be changeable. Temporary closures for snow, ice, wind, maintenance, or an incident on the road are possible even after the seasonal gate opens. That is why checking current road conditions the day before and again on the morning of your drive is a smart habit.
Memorial Day travelers should have a Plan B
A Memorial Day opening makes for a memorable first drive of the season, but it can also be one of the least predictable times to schedule a Yellowstone route. If your travel dates are fixed, plan a few Red Lodge-area activities that do not depend on crossing the pass.
Spend time in town, take a lower-elevation hike if conditions allow, visit local shops and galleries, or enjoy a relaxed day with mountain views. The Beartooth foothills still offer a true Montana setting even when the highest road is waiting on the weather.
The Best Time to Drive Beartooth Pass
There is no single best month for every traveler. The right time depends on what you want from the drive and how comfortable you are with mountain weather.
Late May through mid-June offers a dramatic mix of pavement and towering snow walls. Waterfalls run strong, wildlife is often active, and the alpine landscape has a raw, just-waking-up feel. The trade-off is that some services, trails, and side roads may not yet be available, and conditions can shift quickly.
Late June through August is the classic summer season. Wildflowers begin to show in the high country, most overlooks are accessible, and families can plan longer stops without worrying as much about snow. This is also the busiest stretch, especially on weekends and around holidays. Start early if you want quieter overlooks and more time to enjoy the road at your own pace.
September into early October can be beautiful for travelers who like crisp mornings, golden light, and thinner crowds. Autumn comes early at elevation. Snow can arrive at any time, temperatures drop fast after sunset, and seasonal closures become more likely as fall progresses.
The highway often closes for the winter sometime in October, though the exact timing is just as weather-dependent as the spring opening. Do not count on a late-fall crossing without checking current conditions first.
How to Plan a Flexible Beartooth Highway Trip
The best Beartooth trips leave room for the mountain to have the final say. Build an extra day into your itinerary if possible, especially in May, June, September, or October. A little flexibility can turn a weather delay from a disappointment into an unhurried Red Lodge stay.
Before you leave, check the latest official highway reports for both Montana and Wyoming. Look beyond a simple “open” or “closed” label. Pay attention to temporary restrictions, construction notices, weather alerts, and whether the full route to Cooke City is passable. Cell service can be limited in the mountains, so download maps and save important travel details before heading uphill.
Fuel up in Red Lodge, bring water and snacks, and keep warm layers close by. A sunny morning at the trailhead can become a windy, cold afternoon at the pass. Sunglasses are useful when snow is still on the ground, and a light rain jacket is worth carrying even in mid-summer.
Motorcyclists should be especially mindful of temperature changes, wind exposure, gravel near road edges, and shaded icy patches during the early and late parts of the season. RV drivers and travelers towing trailers should check any current vehicle restrictions and be comfortable with steep grades, tight curves, and long descents. Beartooth Highway is spectacular, but it deserves a rested driver and unhurried attention.
Give the drive more time than the map suggests
The distance from Red Lodge to Cooke City may look manageable on a map, but this is not a road to rush. Scenic pullouts, changing weather, wildlife, and photo stops naturally slow the day down. Plan time to stop safely, let faster traffic pass, and enjoy the view rather than watching the clock.
If Yellowstone is your destination, remember that a Beartooth crossing can be a full-day experience before you ever reach a park entrance. Many guests find that the better plan is to make the highway itself the day’s main event, then continue toward Yellowstone with a flexible schedule.
Where to Stay Before Crossing the Pass
Red Lodge is a natural starting point for a Beartooth Highway drive. You can wake up close to the route, check the morning road report, have a real breakfast, and head toward the mountains without adding a long approach drive to the day.
At Alpine Lodge Motel, we see how much a calm first morning matters to families, riders, road trippers, and couples setting out for the pass. A clean, quiet room, hot coffee, and time to ask a local question can make the difference between a hurried departure and a trip that feels like a vacation. If the road has a temporary delay, Red Lodge gives you a welcoming place to adjust your plans rather than simply turn around.
A Few Questions Travelers Ask
Can you drive Beartooth Pass in May?
Sometimes. The route often aims to open around Memorial Day, but May travel should always include an alternate plan. Even if the seasonal opening occurs, a late storm can bring a temporary closure.
Is Beartooth Pass open all summer?
Usually, the pass is open through the main summer season, but short-term weather or maintenance closures can happen. Check conditions immediately before driving, particularly after storms.
Can I still visit Red Lodge if the pass is closed?
Absolutely. Red Lodge has its own mountain-town character, local dining, shops, foothill scenery, and nearby outdoor opportunities. A closed pass may change the route, but it does not have to spoil the trip.
The Beartooth rewards travelers who arrive prepared and leave a little room for wonder. Pick your dates, watch the road reports, pack a warm layer, and let the mountains set the pace once you get here.