Photo: Nate Foong ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
America’s most beautiful road.
A loop from Bozeman through the mountains of Montana and Wyoming: the Beartooth Highway up to 3,337 m, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, the geysers and bison of Yellowstone, the spires of Grand Teton and cowboy Cody. The roads are wide, the surface excellent and the speed limits kinder than elsewhere in America. A classic for anyone after big space and national parks without extremes.
- The Beartooth Highway and its 3,337 m pass
- The Lamar Valley and bison on the road
- Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring
- Grand Teton and Jackson Hole
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 90 km, warm-up
Bozeman and the Gallatin Canyon
We meet in Bozeman, collect the bikes and take a short 90 km ride up the Gallatin Canyon beside the river. An evening briefing on wildlife on the road.
Overnight: Hotel in Bozeman - DAY 2 · 230 km, Montana valleys
Livingston and Red Lodge
Via Livingston and the Yellowstone River valley, then over the foothills to Red Lodge, a mining town at the foot of the Beartooths. About 230 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Red Lodge - DAY 3 · 230 km, pass at 3,337 m
The Beartooth Highway
US 212 from Red Lodge: switchbacks up to Beartooth Pass at 3,337 m, alpine tundra, lakes and snow in July. Down to Cooke City and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway over Dead Indian Pass at 2,440 m to Cody. About 230 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Cody - DAY 4 · 280 km, bison
Cody and the Lamar Valley
The Buffalo Bill Center in the morning, then up the Shoshone canyon to Yellowstone’s east gate, past Yellowstone Lake and north to the Lamar Valley, where bison herds cross the road. Night at Mammoth Hot Springs. About 280 km.
Overnight: Lodge at Mammoth Hot Springs - DAY 5 · 180 km, geysers
Geysers and Old Faithful
The park’s lower loop: the falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Norris basin, the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. Park speed limit is 45 mph and there are many stops. About 180 km.
Overnight: Lodge at Old Faithful - DAY 6 · 170 km, the Tetons
Grand Teton and Jackson
South through the south gate into Grand Teton: Jenny Lake, the Teton Park Road beneath the 4,199 m Grand Teton, and the Mormon Row barns. Evening in Jackson and its antler-arch square. About 170 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Jackson - DAY 7 · 220 km, pass at 2,570 m
Teton Pass and Idaho
Teton Pass at 2,570 m with its 10 per cent grade into Idaho, the Teton Valley and Mesa Falls, then on to West Yellowstone via Island Park. About 220 km.
Overnight: Hotel in West Yellowstone - DAY 8 · 160 km, bikes returned
Hebgen Lake and back to Bozeman
Along Hebgen Lake and the 1959 earthquake landslide, then the Gallatin Canyon back to Bozeman. Bikes returned and a farewell dinner. About 160 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Bozeman - DAY 9 · Departure
Departure from Bozeman
Breakfast and a transfer to Bozeman airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW R 1250 GS or Harley-Davidson Pan America hire with panniers
8 nights in hotels and national park lodges with breakfast
Yellowstone and Grand Teton park entry
Lead rider and a support vehicle
Motorcycle insurance
Cody rodeo ticket and two dinners
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and remaining dinners
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 5,000 km. The main challenges are wildlife on the road and rapid weather changes at altitude; Ivan covers both at the briefing and checks everyone has cold-weather kit for the passes.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.