Yellowstone Park Tour Loop

Welcome...to the land most people only dream about! On your way to Yellowstone National Park? Take the most scenic route...”Gateway to the Beartooth Highway,” described by Charles Kuralt as “one of the ten most scenic roads in the world.” You’ll find it’s an easy day trip traveling MT Hwy 78 to Red Lodge and US Hwy 212 over Beartooth Pass to Yellowstone ...or just come explore Stillwater County!

Located in southcentral Montana, Stillwater County consists of 1,793 square miles with geographic features that range from the Beartooth Absaroka Wilderness Area at the southern end of the county, to the Stillwater and Yellowstone River Valleys in the central section, to the lake basins, coulees and rolling plains at the northern end. Stillwater County has it all!

Explore the Stillwater Valley...a 75 mile stretch of two lane roads that start at Columbus, travel through Absarokee to Fishtail, Dean and Nye. Discover our “Hidden Valley” where you’ll find the surroundings peaceful and the scenery breathtaking.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition covered more miles in Montana than in any other state, not because of its size, but because the Corps split into four parties for the 1806 return trip, each with a different assignment and route. Follow Clark’s return through Reed Point, Columbus and Park City to Pompeys Pillar National Historic Monument, the only surviving physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Travel to Rapelje and Molt where the wildlife outnumber the people! Visit the Hailstone and Halfbreed National Wildlife Refuges, unique recreational and sight seeing opportunities.

Columbus began as a stage station on the Yellowstone Trail and is now a shipping center for the rich farm and ranch lands around it. Prosperity came when the Columbus quarry was chosen to furnish the stone for the state capitol in Helena. This project and other contracts for fine stone kept the quarries and the railroad busy for years.

This full-service community in the foothills of the Beartooths boasts the “most scenic route to Yellowstone Park” via Montana Highway 78 and U.S. Highway 212 over the Beartooth Pass. Located at the confluence of the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers, Columbus offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Visit the Museum of the Beartooths for an understanding of area history, including artifacts of the Rosebud River Crow Indians, Northern Pacific Railroad memorabilia and World War II history. Camp and fish at Itch-Kep-Pe Park.

The Stillwater Valley is rich in agriculture, wildlife, wild berries and beautiful scenery. It is also rich in fishing accesses with primitive camping facilities. Boating and water sports abound at Cooney Dam, 14 miles off Highway 78.

Absarokee is a small, vibrant community nestled at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains. It is a gateway to fishing, hiking, camping, and outdoor exploration along the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers and the nearby Absarokee-Beartooth Wilderness. Great shopping and eating opportunities.

Fishtail was named for Mr. Fishtail, a local resident. The first post office was established in 1901. Stressley Tunnell built the first store. He later served as postmaster. Soon after, additional buildings such as a saloon, blacksmith shop, hotel, and livery barn were added to the town. Fine food off the beaten path.

Nye is located southwest of Columbus along the Stillwater River. Originally a copper mining camp, the town sprang into existence when Jack Nye and the Hedges brothers staked their claim. Mining continues to be an important part of the area’s economy. Enjoy a short hike to the falls. Nye is the gateway to Woodbine Campground and a 22 mile hike over the Beartooths to Cooke City.

Dean is a location for ATVing and hiking. Also, there is fine food and drink with a spectacular view of the mountains.

Backtrack to Highway 78 to continue to Roscoe, Red Lodge and over the All American Highway, the Beartooth Pass, to Cooke City and on to Yellowstone National Park.

West Yellowstone, Montana, is the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

Residents point with pride to lively on-stage theaters and the local museums and wildlife displays. In the evening, travelers enjoy strolling Canyon Street and Yellowstone Avenue, browsing through the many gift shops and clothing stores.

A 48-mile loop, west of West Yellowstone, takes you to Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake, created by a 1959 earthquake that tumbled 80 million tons of rock from a mountain side into the Madison River.

Beartooth Pass to Cooke City - The Beartooth Highway, US 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City, was officially designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway Feb. 8, 1989. Referred to as “the most beautiful roadway in America,” by Charles Kuralt, this highway is the highest elevation motor crossing in Wyoming (10,950 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet) and is the highest elevation highway in the Rockies outside the state of Colorado. It generally follows the “Sheridan Trail,” which was laid out in 1882 when General Phillip H. Sheridan and a force of 129 officers, soldiers, civilians, and Indians traveled the route.

Cooke City is located four miles east of the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is surrounded by four national forests, two wilderness areas, the park, hundreds of hiking trails and some of the finest trout fishing in the world. Check at Beartooth Plateau Outfitters on Main Street for fishing tackle and information on fishing trails.