Chief Joseph Scenic Highway-Bighorn Mountains

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Wyoming

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 17 visitors

State: Wyoming
Date Submitted: August 1, 2000
Submitted by: Anonymous
Motorcycle Road Length: 200 Miles

Written Directions

This
route is tucked up in the extreme north west corner of
Wyoming just east of Yellowstone National Park. You'll
have to find the roads I describe below to understand
how to find this route since there is no town per say
at the starting point. An online
interactive map to Clark Wyoming (closest town to
this route) is available through MapQuest and will help
you locate the starting point (or general vicinity) of
this motorcycle road. Look for the star in the middle
of the map.

From
the South and East. Off of I-90, just north of Sheridan,
WY, you'll find the towns of Ranchester and Dayton (west
of I-90). Take state route 14 west through Ranchester
and Dayton. About 24 miles past Dayton you will want to
spilt off of route 14 and take alternate 14 (AKA
14A) and here is where they wild stuff starts. Continue
on Alt 14 to/through Lovell and Powell ... it will be
a great ride heading up, loaded with switchbacks and hairpin
curves for 50 miles then you'll finally descend down the
western side and across the valley to Cody . From here
go north of Cody on state route 120 about 20 miles till
you hit the Chief J highway, or Mt 296 and head West.
This is another great stretch of switchbacks, hairpin
curves and fantastic mountain views. You will end up a
few hours later at the junction of MT 212, the Beartooth
Highway and where this route stops. If you want more just
head northeast and on into Montana! You'll be very happy
you checked this route out!!!

Scenery

This is a great full day ride when combined with the Beartooth Highway. Good Lodging in Red Lodge and Sheridan. Expect the best ride of your life because you can travel 3 totally different extreme mountain routes in one day! Lots of info on the web if you search! This page describes two routes that cover some of the same roads. For a description of each individual route, see the "Directions" section below. Everything you expect in a mountain run! Some of the world's best motorcycle roads can be found in this Northwest corner of Wyoming. The routes drive through unbeatable scenery near the immense Yellowstone National Park. Photo contributed by visitor in Oct 09: "Nice switchbacks and great views, a ride you must take!"

Road Quality

Endless switch-backs Vertical ascents to 10'000 feet plus. Good pavement. Very little traffic. No track is better than this to play on! No heading up the pass beside the river on this one! You go straight up the side on switchbacks!

Photo contributed by visitor in Jan 10: "Looking back to the south from atop the Beartooth Highway, on the way to Red Lodge, MT."

Roadside Amenities

Lots of pullouts on these roads. However, there is only one lodge half way over the Bighorns. Nothing on the Chief J so don't plan on catching a place to stay the night until you finish the route and head into Red Lodge (Montana) or if you head back to Sheridan (Wyoming).

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Anonymous

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Reviewed by Guest on February 24, 2011 (2 out of 2 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Phil Mcphail
motorcycle_year: 2010
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Chief Joseph Byway is number 1,very fun ride.Red lodge to Cody through the bighorns.
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Reviewed by Deerhunter on November 19, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Deerhunter
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Susuki DL 1000 V-Strom
motorcycle_type: Enduro
Comment: Did this ride on way back from South Dakota in Aug. 2010. Day started in Sheridan and ended in Jackson Wyoming. It was long but great ride . Scenery was fantastic all the way. Few rough spots on the Bighorn in the switchbacks ( road work )...minor really. We took the road through Lovell and Red Lodge. The Beartooth Pass was awesome. Definitely a road I would ride again. FyI...If on a map it says "Closed in Winter " ...Ride it. I haven't been disappointed yet.
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Reviewed by Deerhunter on November 19, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Deerhunter
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Susuki DL 1000 V-Strom
motorcycle_type: Enduro
Comment: Did this ride on way back from South Dakota in Aug. 2010. Day started in Sheridan and ended in Jackson Wyoming. It was long but great ride . Scenery was fantastic all the way. Few rough spots on the Bighorn in the switchbacks ( road work )...minor really. We took the road through Lovell and Red Lodge. The Beartooth Pass was awesome. Definitely a road I would ride again. FyI...If on a map it says "Closed in Winter " ...Ride it. I haven't been disappointed yet.
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Reviewed by chass on October 20, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: chass
motorcycle_year: 2010 ultra
motorcycle_make: harley
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: we rode cheif joseph hiway,bighorn mts, beartooth pass...the best ride we had this year and we put on 20,000 miles for the summer.Beautiful roads and scenery
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Reviewed by spmac on August 22, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: pmcphail
motorcycle_year: 2010
motorcycle_make: Flhtk
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Second time I did this route,maybe half a dozen vehicles and 2 cows on the Chief Joseph Byway.Peaceful and fun ride,very nice scenery and the history part of the route is interesting. Loved the ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on February 23, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: affire
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This is an amazing ride. I have friends all over the country that have ridden CJ with us and they all agree it is one of the most beautiful rides in the country and the condition of the road is always great!
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Reviewed by Guest on December 14, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bruce
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: It doesn't get better than this.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 8, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Ian Smith
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: My partner and I toured the US in 2009 on a HD Ultra Classic, the road from Red Lodge to Cody was amazing, stunning views stunning roads and above all a motorcycle dream to ride on. I have recommended this route to all my fellow Harley riders in South Africa who are making the trip to the Black hills rally in 2010.
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Reviewed by Guest on April 6, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Keith J.
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Road the Chief Joseph north from Cody, up to the Beartooth Pass and into Red Lodge last June 21....outstanding ride! Lots of snow still on the Beartooth, and it got a little chilly, but a wonderful ride. Beats the heck out of Yellowstone; as my friend put it, they put Yellowstone too far west!
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Reviewed by Guest on March 1, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Mike
motorcycle_year: 1997
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Made it a point to ride both Hwy 14 sections on my last cross country trip. It was worth every second. I try to explain to people back in the midwest what they are missing when they insist on stopping at Sturgis. They just don't get it. This rode is in my top 5 of all time rides (U.S.) I think I scared the old people on Hogs because I was having a spirited ride up and down the pass and loving every second of it. Happened to be a beautiful day as well. Sheridan was cold and gray, but 15 minutes later I was on the sunny roof of the Rockies. I will be back!
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Reviewed by Guest on December 21, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bobcat
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: If you're looking for a ride to add to your list of perfect 10 rides this is it. Rode it in July, 2009 and all I can say is WOW! I had rode the Beartooth Highway in previous years but the ride south to Cody and through the Bighorns was a first. The variety and quality of the scenery was stunning and the road was a blast to maneuver. I have a couple of tips for future riders. One, when you see the "Cattle at Large" signs on Highway 296 pay attention as I met some of the "critters" up close and personal on a curve - luckily I was paying attention. Second, be prepared for a variety of weather - very hot in the lower elevations to very cold at higher elevations.
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Reviewed by Guest on December 6, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: J.D.
motorcycle_year: 1996
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Chalie was right !! The late Charles Kuralt that is. He once stated that the Beartooth Hwy is the most beautiful hi-way in America. I suggest you wait for clear sky's if this is your first time. Make an impression that will last a life time.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 27, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Dale
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Sorry, I forgot to mention Beartooth Hwy. We left The Big Horn mountains to Red Lodge, We stayed in a beautiful Hotel call the Pollard, then on to Beartooth. The road is also under construction towards the top, but the road up is not. Again be prepared for stops/delays. This road is busier then Big Horn as well so keep an eye on the traffic as well as the scenery. If you head on to Cooke City to Yellowstone, there is construction in Cooke City. Montana likes to take the whole road down to the dirt and gravel. Be prepared for delays in Cooke City. They kept the dust down but watering the dirt/road, so your bike will get dusty or dirty. The scenery over Beartooth and the ride through Yellowstone from the NE entrance will numb the pain of a dirty bike! 8^)
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Reviewed by Guest on August 27, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Dale
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: The ride over the Big Horn Mountains is spectacular! I just made the trip on August 3rd, 09 and 14a is under construction on the eastern side so be prepared for frequent stops/delays. It appears they are putting in a new road. Do not let this deter you from this taking this route it is beautiful. Take a jacket, I had to stop at 9500 ft and throw the leathers on!
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Reviewed by Guest on August 2, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Chuck Nelson
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I have made this ride several times in my life and most recently July, 2009. You need to experience this ride at least once in your life if you ride a motorcycle and I am sure you will find it the best ride of your life. Ride safe and God Bless!!
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Reviewed by Guest on July 18, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Redrider
motorcycle_year: 2000
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This is a spectacular ride. I did the part from Cody through Chief J and Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge MT over the recent July 4th weekend. We then doubled back over Chief J to Cooke City MT and through Yellowstone from the NE entrance to Jackson WY. I live in Denver and ride the Colorado rockies regularly so the bar is set pretty high for mountain roads and passes. This was about as good as it gets. Beartooth is like a combination of Mt. Evans and Independence Pass.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 1, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: MK
motorcycle_year: 2003
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: There is lodging in Cody, Powell, Lovell, Ranchester & Greybull as well.
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