As part of a larger trip we are taking to YNP and GTNP in July, we will be staying in Mammoth Hot Springs for 2 nights. Is it doable (or sensible) to wake up very early one morning, meander our way towards Roosevelt (stopping for the Forces of the Northern Range hike), driving out the NE entrance to the Beartooth Highway and back to Roosevelt by 5 pm for the chuckwagon dinner? Miles wise, it's not long but how slow will the traffic be on the way back into the park from Beartooth?

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions.

Howman, no I don't think you have time to do this, especially if you plan to do a hike along the way. It's all windy roads and slow going inside the park and on the Beartooth.

I would plan on 6 to 8 hours for a round trip from Roosevelt, up the Beartooth Highway, and back to Roosevelt. That includes stopping to look at wildlife along the Lamar Valley and having a snowball fight at the top of the highway.

Both the Beartooth and Roosevelt cookout are fantastic. I would save the hike for another day.

Check for construction. I read somewhere, recently, that there would be construction on the Beartooth this summer. Sorry, you'll have to be resourceful... for the life of me, I can't remember where I read it...

Call Yellowstone information to ask about construction and timing:

(307) 344-7381