This Scenic Drive In Wyoming Was Named One Of The Best Road Trips In The Country

If you'd like to take an epic road trip this year, one of the best scenic drives in the U.S. is right here in the state. The Beartooth Scenic Highway in Wyoming is a gorgeous stretch of road that starts and ends in Montana with the longest, most stunning section running through the northern part of the Cowboy State. At 68 miles total, it wouldn't take days to drive from one end to the other, but there's so much spectacular scenery you'll want to take it slow, stopping now and then to make it last.

Wyoming may share the Beartooth Scenic Highway with Montana, but more than two-thirds of it - and arguably the most scenic piece - runs through the Cowboy State's Shoshone National Forest.

The winding road curves lazily over mountainous terrain populated with lush pines.

The landscape is also dotted with Alpine lakes and filled with breathtaking views.

Nature pieced the panorama together over eons, with glaciers carving out some of the rock formations and others, like Beartooth Butte, having been built up with layers of limestone and shale millions of years ago when the mountain range was formed.

Traveling from either direction, your journey will lead upward...

...to the summit at 10,947 feet, located along the Wyoming stretch of the highway.

The elevation is so high that there's usually some snow present year-round. It's not unusual to see brightly colored wildflowers on one side of the highway and snow drifts on the other.

In fact, the amount of snow the area receives in winter means that the highway is only open in the summer and fall.

The snow can get up to 26 feet deep in some areas, making it impossible to keep the roads clear.

The highway departments of Wyoming and Montana work together to get the roads open by Memorial Day weekend, giving you plenty of time to plan a road trip this year.

If you want to extend your trip for more than one day, there is a place for you to spend a few nights along the way.

The Top of the World store near the summit is more than a quaint general store in a log cabin. It also offers camper hook-ups and a handful of comfortable motel rooms.

The Beartooth Highway is a scenic drive so magnificent it's a destination all in itself.

For some fantastic footage of the highway, check out the video below by Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos:

Have you road-tripped the Beartooth? Let us know in the comments below!

What scenic Wyoming drive is your favorite? Nominate it for a chance to be featured!