The iconic Beartooth Highway runs south from Red Lodge, Montana into the Custer Gallatin National forest, climbing up switchbacks until it reaches the Montana/Wyoming state border. Once the road enters Wyoming it’s maintenance is the responsibility of the National Park Service as it heads towards Yellowstone National Park. Before that, it’s the responsibility of the Montana Department of Transportation.
Beartooth Highway is closed throughout the winter, typically open from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Clearing the byway of snow before it reopens is quite a process, requiring multiple days of plow work and maintenance. Every Year, the Montana Department of Transportation shares clips from this impressive work. This year the first clip shared was filmed on April 14 and the process has continued since then.
Beartooth Highway runs into Wyoming and past the Beartooth Basin Ski Area before heading briefly north in Montana where it connects with Cooke City. From there the road enters Yellowstone National Park.
