Pros & cons
PROS
- Quick roadside stop with a clear view of the namesake spire
- Memorable high‑alpine panorama near Beartooth Pass
CONS
- No services at the pullout
- Seasonal access only; opening and closing dates vary with snow
The namesake spire
Bear’s Tooth is a pyramidal rock spire in the Beartooth Mountains, visible from the Beartooth Highway. This map pin identifies the mountain landmark itself.
Where to view it
The Gardner Lake pullout and trailhead along US 212 is a recognized place to look for the spire. Use a designated roadside stopping area for photographs; the summit pin is not a parking area or a roadside walk. The surrounding high country includes alpine tundra, glacial lakes and rugged mountain terrain.
Planning your stop
Bring warm layers for the exposed highway viewpoints and check current road conditions before travelling. This landmark listing does not describe a hiking or climbing route to the spire.
Where it is
45.0625, -109.5644Bear’s Tooth
Tips for Bear’s Tooth
- 01There are no facilities here—plan a bathroom stop at Top of the World or Clark’s Fork Overlook.
- 02It’s windy and chilly near the pass; bring an extra layer even in summer.
- 03Use designated pullouts for photos and re‑merge carefully—traffic appears fast on the grades.
- 04If traveling near opening or closing weeks, verify road status the morning of your drive.
Near Bear’s Tooth
All places →All trails →
4.8 mi awayGlacier Lake TrailSteep alpine climb to Glacier Lake above the Beartooth HighwayChallenging · 4.4 mi · 3 hr
5.7 mi awayHellroaring Plateau TrailRocky alpine out-and-back across Hellroaring Plateau to the Shelf Lake overlookModerate · 5 mi · 4 hr
7.3 mi awayGreenough Lake TrailEasy creekside loop with a pretty lake and Beartooth viewsEasy · 3.5 mi · 1.3 hr
7.6 mi awaySundance Pass TrailDemanding 19-mile out-and-back from Lake Fork to high Sundance Pass.Challenging · 19 mi · 11.5 hr
7.7 mi awayRock Creek Vista Point OverlookBig canyon views and winding switchbacks from a quick roadside stopParking · Restroom
7.8 mi awayBeartooth ButteRoadside view of fossil-rich red cliffs above Beartooth LakePullout · Parking
7.8 mi awayVista Point Observation SiteBig Rock Creek Valley views at the Beartooth switchbacksParking · Restroom
7.8 mi awayBeartooth Pass OverlookTop-of-the-world views at the highway’s 10,947‑ft high pointPullout · Parking
