Custer Gallatin NF — Beartooth Highway

US 212's Beartooth Highway tops out at Beartooth Pass (10,947 ft) — the highest paved through-road in any National Forest and a 1989 Charles Kuralt "most beautiful drive in America" pick that still drives summer pilgrimage traffic. The MT-side USFS-developed loops are Greenough Lake, Parkside, and M-K, all 32-ft dry-camp, on-site dump at Parkside. WY-side capacity adds at Top of the World and Island Lake (both also dry-camp, similar limits). Snow keeps the highway closed mid-October through late May — and the opening date each spring is its own news cycle in MT and WY travel forums. Dispersed camping is broadly allowed under the Custer Gallatin MVUM along FSR 421 and FSR 379 spurs. Grizzly bear protocol enforced. Switchback geometry above 9,000 ft makes the climb honest work for any rig over 28 ft towing.

Every fact on this page traces back to these primary sources.

• Custer Gallatin National Forest — Forest recreation overviewfs.usda.gov
• Custer Gallatin National Forest — Recreation area detailsfs.usda.gov
• Custer Gallatin National Forest — Camping & cabins directoryfs.usda.gov