This Is the Ultimate Way To See the Beartooth Highway

The first time I drove the Beartooth Highway, my hands were locked so tightly around the steering wheel that I’m pretty sure I left fingerprints in it forever.

The second time? Somehow even worse.

You know those stretches where the road twists around the edge of a mountain and you glance over for half a second only to realize there is a whole lot of nothing between you and the valley below? Yeah. That part. Meanwhile, my husband sat there, completely relaxed, while I gripped the wheel as if my life depended on it. Which, if you ask me, it absolutely did.

And before anyone asks, no, I was not about to let my husband drive. This girl values her life very much, thank you.

But both times I made that climb, I kept spotting gorgeous vintage buses rolling slowly along the highway. Every single time I saw one, I had the exact same thought.

Why am I not on THAT instead?

The Beartooth Highway Is Stunning, But It Is Also Intense

If you’ve driven the Beartooth Highway, you already know that it's breathtaking in every sense of the word.

One minute, you’re winding through the road with the smell of fresh mountain air pouring through the windows. Next, you’re climbing higher and higher into a landscape that barely feels real. Snow clings to the peaks even in summer. Tiny alpine lakes sparkle like glass. The sky somehow looks bigger up there.

And then your stomach drops because the road curves again, and suddenly you remember you're driving on the side of a mountain.

It’s beautiful. It’s unforgettable. It’s also a lot to take in when you’re focused on staying in your lane and trying not to overthink every sharp turn.

That’s exactly why those buses caught my attention.

Yes, You Can Actually Ride One Of Those Yellowstone Buses

Turns out, those classic buses are not just for looking at. You can actually reserve one for a trip up the Beartooth Highway.

And not some modern replica either. These are restored vintage Yellowstone Park buses from the 1930s, the kind that instantly make you feel like you’ve stepped into another era.

The experience is run by the Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust, a volunteer-driven nonprofit based in Red Lodge dedicated to preserving Yellowstone transportation history and sharing it with future generations.

Their historic garage in Red Lodge is worth a visit all on its own. Inside, you’ll find beautifully preserved vehicles, old photographs, and pieces of Montana and Yellowstone history that most people never get to see anymore.

And the best part? Visiting the garage is free.

Riding The Highway Instead Of White Knuckling It Sounds Amazing

The bus rides themselves sound incredible.

Groups can reserve an original 1936 or 1937 Yellowstone Park bus for a slow scenic trip up the Beartooth Highway. The buses climb from Red Lodge toward the summit at a relaxed pace, giving passengers time to actually absorb what’s around them instead of nervously staring at the pavement five feet ahead.

Can you even imagine?

No stressing over hairpin turns. No muttering “please stay in your lane” every thirty seconds. No death grip on the wheel.

Just sitting back while the mountains unfold around you.

Weather permitting, the canvas top gets rolled back so riders can stand up and fully take in the views. I think that might be one of the coolest ways possible to experience Montana.

You’re not rushing through the scenery. You’re inside it.

This Feels Like One Of Those Once In A Lifetime Experiences

The more I learned about it, the more I thought about how special this would be for a milestone birthday, a graduation gift, an anniversary surprise, or even a family trip you’ll talk about for years afterward.

Let’s be real; most gifts get forgotten eventually, but riding in a vintage Yellowstone bus through the Beartooth Mountains? That becomes a story.

The buses hold up to 10 passengers, and the trip stretches roughly 35 miles to the pass's summit, climbing from around 5,500 feet to nearly 11,000 feet above sea level.

And unlike the rest of us trying not to panic through switchbacks, these buses take their time.

That slow pace might actually be the best part.

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Montana Has A Way Of Giving You Moments You Never Forget

The Beartooth Highway is a drive that I will never forget.

Even now, I can still picture the snow packed against the mountainsides, the impossibly blue sky, and those vintage buses crawling along the road while I sat there wishing I could trade places with everyone inside.

Next time? I just might.

Because as gorgeous as the Beartooth Highway is from behind the wheel, I have a feeling it’s even more magical when you finally get to stop worrying about the road and simply look around.