Montana Will Close Beartooth Highway on October 13

The 68-mile stretch of U.S. 212 will shut for the season due to anticipated winter weather conditions.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Current Conditions

Isometric editorial illustration of a winding mountain road on a high-altitude alpine plateau with jagged snow-dusted peaks. — The Montana Department of Transportation will close the 68-mile stretch of the Beartooth Highway on October 13 due to seasonal winter weather. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should mountain highways remain open until major snowstorms force a closure?

The Montana Department of Transportation is scheduled to close the Beartooth Highway on October 13 at 8 a.m. This seasonal shutdown of the 68-mile stretch of U.S. 212 occurs as high-altitude conditions on the plateau become increasingly hazardous.

Why it matters

The closure is necessary to protect motorists as cold fronts from Canada bring consistent snowfall to the 10,947-foot peak. While a formal closure date is set, the highway may shut down earlier if severe snowstorms impact the region.

The Beartooth Highway reaches a peak elevation of 10,947 feet along its 68-mile route on U.S. 212. The Montana Department of Transportation and the National Park Service must weigh the clearing of the path against depths that exceed practical removal limits.

The players

Montana Department of Transportation

This state agency manages the infrastructure and seasonal closures of highways throughout Montana.

National Park Service

This federal agency collaborates on road clearing efforts at high-elevation passes.

The details

Personnel from the Montana Department of Transportation and the National Park Service manage the highway, clearing the route from both ends when snow events occur. The high-altitude plateau is particularly sensitive to El Niño weather patterns and frequent cold fronts moving south from Canada.

August 31, 2026: The last recorded precipitation fell across the plateau.
September 24, 2026: The current date as of the seasonal forecast.
Late September to Early October 2026: The period where rain and higher-elevation snow are likely.
October 13, 2026: The official seasonal closure is set for 8 a.m.

Seasonal Patterns

The current plan follows a pattern set by the mid-September 2024 snowstorm closure of U.S. 212, which highlights the unpredictability of early-season mountain weather. These closures demonstrate the region's historical susceptibility to sudden, heavy accumulation at high altitudes.

Travelers should prepare for potential early closures if intense snowstorms arrive before the October 13 deadline. Ensure all vehicles are equipped for winter mountain driving if navigating through Montana or southern Wyoming during this transition period.

The takeaway

Drivers planning to traverse the Beartooth Plateau should monitor weather reports closely, as conditions at high elevations change rapidly. Anticipating the seasonal closure helps prevent travel delays caused by sudden, early-season snow events.