peter,
I'd hike on that road but not drive it.

Connie,
I don't think that was the suggestion. It was to drive from YNP to RL on BT and then south (not all the way to Cody) to get onto the CJH for the return to YNP.

I might consider that if after I check out the timing.

Such interesting and differing opinions. I'll add another. My DH, a 60 something Colorado native who has driven Colorado mountains all his life, including some moderate jeep roads, finds the Beartooth hiway the scariest he's driven.

Oh, Oh!!!!

I'm may be non-stop but not brave. There's a reason I've lived a long life. So far.

Some people should not even be driving...

I found this post when planning a trip on the Beartooth Highway. I am very frightened of heights--I once covered my head with a blanket during the ENTIRE length of Highway 1 in California WHILE fully reclined in my (passenger) seat. I am PROUD to say that today I rode the Beartooth with no fearful moments at all--we drove from Yellowstone to Red Lodge, and yes, doing it this way kept us on the mountain side of the road most of the way. There are guard rails on ALL of the scary spots--good, sold guardrails made of steel beams and 4x4 posts! The best thing is that this is an absolutely gorgeous drive, especially the meadows approaching the top of the summit. Any one out there with a fear of heights--it is worth the sweaty palms you may experience in anticipation of this drive. Good luck!

As I am preparing for a 4 day trip to Yellowstone (I am under tremendous time constraint), I am planning to return from YNP to Billing (to catch flight back to NJ) through Rt 212. I have some vertigo, so even if I have to forego the best view (from RL to YNP), at least I can enjoy the route. I have two questions though.

1. As the journey through Rt. 212 is long through the mountains, I believe there is not any mobile service to report any problem on road. What is the way of communication there?

2. I have booked a full size car (like Ford Taurus or equivalent before researching much). Do I need to upgrade it to 4WD car only for the drive on Rt 212?

Thanks much in advance and the wonderful and useful info ahead.

Regards
Gautam De

Without mobile access, there would be no way of communicating.

I would not drive a road like this if I were "under tremendous time constraint." What do you do if the vehicles in front of you do not share your urgency?

Well, I mean I cannot spend more than 4 days in the region. One should plan for 7 days for the entire region.
Also, is the drive from YNP to RL more scary or the reverse? Thanks.

FYIP folks - I have driven from YNP to Red Lodge yesterday. At times scary but actually there is nothing to be afraid of. When there is no guard-rail, there is very gradual slope on the mountain with no risk. But yes, at times, I was definitely little scared as I have vertigo. It was worth a try.

<i>How scary is driving the Beartooth Highway for someone with acrophobic tendencies?</i>

It depends on who the person is. I have an acrophobic response to walking across bridges high above ravines and canyons, but none at all when I'm driving the Beartooth Highway and other mountain roads is the US and other developed countries. I think it's because I have driven many hundreds of thousands of miles and trust that my car will not drive off the roadway.

Ditto with air travel.

HTtY