GT - 5 nights, YNP - 5 nights - GNP - 5 nights. 28-year-old hiking enthusiast couple.
What do you think of us cutting off our last day in Yellowstone at Mammoth (our second day at mammoth) to drive the Beartooth Highway and doing either of these two options:

option 1:
Drive the Beartooth Highway in the A.M. and then drive to Helena (or somewhere else that you might suggest)and stay there for the night before heading to Waterton the next morning.

option 2:
Drive the Beartooth Highway in the A.M. and then head straight to Wateron, giving us more time for hikes in Glacier

i'm leaning toward option 2.

thanks! april

If you don't mind long days travelling it's very doable to get to Waterton in one day, especially since you are beginning from the north side of YNP.

We always spend a few days like that getting from one destination to another so we have more time there.

April -- Check a map but I believe the Beartooth runs East & West and Glacier is Northwest of YNP Northern entrance. Bear in mind that the Beartooth is made up of mountain passes & is NOT an interstate. Also, Waterton is in Canada & is therefore further North than Glacier.

You will leave out of the NE entrance of YNP and will take that highway all the way to Red Lodge.

At Red Lodge, you will go north on 78 to I-90.

Go west on I-90 to Livingston, turn north on Hwy 89, which goes to Great Falls, all the way to the border.

Beartooth Highway is a bit out of the way but VERY worth it.

thanks connie,
that's exactly what i needed to know.

april,
If you want an interesting hike stop at Island Lakes on the Beartooth Hwy. You can go for a day trip or for days. Buy a Topo for this area because there are many hidden Lakes and once off the main trail it is pristine wilderness. Island, Night, Beauty are a good day hike while the best like Wall are overnighters. I can't reveal my favorite however.

If you're doing any camping on this trip, the Island Lake campground on top of Beartooth Highway is great--one of our favorites in all the Rockies. Mostly because of fabulous and scenery and a great trail that leaves from the campground. The trail leads past a beautiful waterfall and you'll be the only people there!!