Hit the Road! National Road Trip Day in Montana's Yellowstone Country
Twin Lakes, Beartooth Highway, photo by Andy Austin
The Beartooth Highway opened today, one of the most iconic and breathtaking drives in Montana’s Yellowstone Country. If you haven’t yet experienced it, we highly recommend a trip. An overnight in Red Lodge is sure to fill your bucket, and the newly remodeled Rock Creek Resort is a great place to begin the journey. Or, if you prefer to start on the other end, Cooke City and Silver Gate are also beautiful locales to spend a night, and you’ll be just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, one of the best wildlife watching areas in the park.
For Motorcyclists
If you prefer to travel via motorcycle, this part of the region is a highly sought-after route. The Beartooth Rally and Iron Horse Rodeo, held in Red Lodge each July, are the largest in the state and draw thousands of bikers. You can find an itinerary for a 5-Day Motorcycle Getaway here.
History of the Road Trip
Fittingly, it’s also National Road Trip Day, the kickoff to the summer season. The National Museum of American History notes the first recorded road trip was in 1903, when H. Nelson Jackson, a physician and businessman from Burlington, Vermont, and Sewall K. Crocker, a mechanic, drove from California to New York in 63 days, spending a total of $8,000, which included the cost of the car!
By the 1930’s, 75% of American families owned a car, and road trips, drive-ins and roadside motels or motor inns boomed. Here in Bozeman, we still have three of these iconic hotels: The Sapphire Motel, RSVP, and the Lewis and Clark Motel.
Livingston, photo by Keelia Isaly
Road Trips Around Yellowstone Country
Our region is prime for these scenic road trips. Paradise Valley winds between the Absaroka-Beartooth and Gallatin Ranges, with the Yellowstone River running through it. Gardiner, Emigrant and Livingston are full of great food, art, hot springs, fishing, hiking and specialty shops.
The loop from Bozeman to Livingston and through the Shields Valley offers stunning views of the Crazy and Bridger Mountain Ranges. Plan your trip around a meal at Bank Bar and Vault in Wilsall, where they serve local grass-fed beef from Muddy Creek Ranch.
Another great way to explore is to find a basecamp and take day trips from there. We’ve got suggestions for some great expeditions based on where you are staying. Or take the slow roll and explore our Small-Town Driving Tour itinerary.
We’ve got a whole list of ideas for your next road trip here. we hope you enjoy the open road and big sky that Montana is known for.
Shields Valley, photo by Kaden Harrison