Which is better for views--begin the Beartooth Parkway in Yellowstone or in Red Stone?

Is there a good way to make a loop out of this drive that would begin and end in Yellowstone (hopefully different roads, like 14/16 and 212--not the same road in/out of Yellowstone) and include Cody, Beartooth Parkway, and Chief Joseph?

Will this require an overnight and if so, where would you overnight on a loop drive?

Any further suggestions regarding Beartooth and Chief Joseph? Have I overlooked anything on this drive?

Hope all my questions make sense . . . trying to make the best use of the time we have. Thanks!

See my response to the "Cody" post for a recommendation.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/image...oth_182_lg.jpg

This is the climb out of Red Lodge going to Yellowstone.

Thanks, LBev, I had already read your post!

Thanks, RedRock! Wow! What a picture . . . and quite a climb. Do you recommend driving from Red Lodge, then?

BTW, LBev, any lodging recommendations? Thanks!

Either way you go to do the Bear Tooth you will be pleased with what you see. We have done it both ways. Just depends which way we are headed. The Chief Joseph is a nice drive, no dust since they paved it, but does not match the Beartooth. Cooke City MT is a good place to stay if comming in thru the NE.
http://www.colorado-west.com/cooke/

Thanks, RedRock! I suspected it really wouldn't matter much with that kind of scenery, but thought I better ask. We figured that while we were making the Beartooth drive, we'd try to add as many recommended scenic drives as we could while in that area.

Appreciate the lodging advice and the link.

We stayed at the Best Western in Cody because it was close to the Museum. However it was an old style motel (one story in a "U" shape, and a very small stand up shower), and not really recommended. It would do, but perhaps others on the board will have better recommendations.

Is Beartooth open (or at least will be when the snow is gone)? We went to Yellowstone last June and it was entirely closed because of the rock slides.

Thanks, Lee. You have been so kind on all my threads to help out so much!

Yes, Minnie, I believe it reopened this past fall. If the weather holds, unlike last year, we should be able to take the drive this year--we'll be there in Sept.

This will give you the information on the mud slides that colsed the BT last spring.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/beartooth/