I have read many of the posts about driving the Beartooth Hwy. They all seem to be about driving the Beartooth OUT of Yellowstone. Is this the better, more senic route? We are riding motorcycle from Michigan. Ferry across Lake Michigan, 90 to Rapid City. May have time for Deadwood, Cody depending on the weather, how fast we can travel "out west". Have reservations in Yellowstone Lk Lodge Cabins 11/8, Old Faithful Cabins 11/9. Taking ferry across Lk. Mich. 8am 11/2. So we should have a good cushion of time to get to the Yellowstone area. (six days) Perhaps a night or so in Cody. I had thought to spend the night in Red Lodge 11/7, get up in the morning real early to ride the Beartooth into Yellowstone. Is the early morning (the better to have light, or no traffic) a good time, better light/more senic time to ride from Red Lodge into Yellowstone? Or does anyone have any other ideas for me? We have done the Going to the Sun Road, for example, very early in the morning,dawn, first ones on the road. Have other examples (high road to Taos for one) Makes it very nice to beat out all the other tourist and have basicly the whole road to yourselves. My husband hates crowds, no fun to drive in them. It's been his dream for many years to ride the Beartooth into Yellowstone. (this isn't whole trip, just the start) Or is it better to ride the Beartooth OUT of Yellowstone?? That is the main question, I guess. Been planning this trip since Dec....this is long enough.........I can write more.....will be on the road a month........Jeannie

We did the Beartooth Highway from Redlodge to Yellowstone and we thought it was one of the most scenic mountain roads and most definely the most scenic route into Yellowstone.

November is really late in the season. From what I've read the road closesure is up to Mother Nature and how much it snows.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadopen.htm

Utahtea

I usually suggest taking the Beartooth FROM Yellowstone because people are usually looking for day trips while IN Yellowstone.

It doesn't make any difference which way you are going. A really nice route for you is to take the Beartooth from Red Lodge to Chief Joseph Hwy, down to Cody and into the east entrance of Yellowstone. This will take you right in to Yellowstone Lake Lodge. If you took the Beartooth all the way in through the northeast entrance, you would have to go WAY around to get to your hotel because of road closures north of Canyon.

From Chief Joseph west is nice but nothing spectacular--Chief Joseph Hwy is worth the drive (ride).

The traffic on Beartooth isn't as bad as Going to the Sun. It's out of the way so not as many people do it.

Get mentally prepared for slow riding in Yellowstone. That's one of my husband's least favorite motorcycle rides, even though he loves Yellowstone.

That is one place where getting out early is well worth it. We also find that by mid afternoon the crowds have gone way down. Sometimes, we will just stay in during the hot afternoon, then get back out later--cooler and less crowds.

Have a great ride!

OPPS! Sorry everybody about the typo on the dates......I guess I had my husbands birthday on my mind 7/ll......we are doing the trip in July..my only excuse is it was so late even for me and I get home from work 2:30am......OPPS!!

We took a full day to drive from Cody to Red Lodge and then into Gardiner
This gave us plenty of time to stop, Pic Nic,and just enjoy.
After the stay in Gardiner we entered the park at the north entrance.