Driving the Beartooth Highway is something everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. This epic 68-mile stretch of US Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Cooke City is one of the most scenic drives in America, offering breathtaking vistas, dramatic ascents and descents, and a chance to experience some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the nation.

Completed in the 1930s during the Great Depression, this National Scenic Byway is only open to travelers from May through October, when the road is mostly clear and the conditions are most likely to be navigable. The stretch of Highway 212 known as the Beartooth Highway begins and ends in Montana, dipping down into Wyoming and the majestic Shoshone National Forest. On winding switchbacks through alpine forests, you’ll gain nearly 11,000 feet as you reach Beartooth Summit. Once you pass the treeline, don’t be surprised to find snow and chilly temperatures, even in summertime.

Take your time and be sure you have someone that’s comfortable with winding roads and mountain driving behind the wheel. You might get a glimpse of cows, horses and other wildlife--don’t forget the bear spray if you decide to venture out on one of the area’s many hiking trails. Here are a few places to stop and explore along the way as you enjoy one of the most beautiful roads in America.