Guides/Overland routes/Wyoming
Overland route47 midifficulty: easy

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

RegionWyomingAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of TransportationLast verified—
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway — overland route near Cody, Wyoming, Wyoming
U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
47mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Steep grades and switchbacks at the Dead Indian Hill descent; trailers manageable in good weather.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty between Sunlight Basin and Cooke City; service in Cody and at Dead Indian Pass.
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is a 47-mile paved highway, WY-296, that connects WY-120 north of Cody to US-212 near the Beartooth Pass on Shoshone National Forest. The route crosses Dead Indian Pass at 8,071 feet, drops into the Sunlight Basin, and parallels the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone before joining the Beartooth at the Wyoming line. The byway is named for the 1877 retreat of the Nez Perce, who crossed the area pursued by the U.S. Army.

Most drivers run the byway in two hours, longer with stops at Dead Indian Hill Overlook and the Clarks Fork pullouts. The road is plowed year-round but can close during heavy storms. RVs and trailers handle the route, with caution on the switchbacks below Dead Indian Pass.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Steep switchbacks. The Dead Indian Pass descent has tight switchbacks. Trailers should crawl them.
  • Wildlife. Elk, deer, and bighorn sheep cross the road. Increase caution at dawn and dusk.
  • Winter storms. WY-296 closes during heavy storms. Check WYDOT 511 before driving.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Cody and Cooke City. Top off before driving.
  • Grizzly country. The byway runs through grizzly habitat. Store food properly if camping.

Location

47 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 44.860, -109.458

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of Transportation
Nearest townCody, Wyoming
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/shoshone
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location44.860, -109.458

Getting there

Directions

From Cody (east entrance). Take WY-120 north from Cody about seventeen miles, then turn west on WY-296 / Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.

From the Beartooth (west entrance). From US-212 between Cooke City and Beartooth Pass, take WY-296 east at the signed junction. The byway drops into Sunlight Basin from there.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs between WY-120 north of Cody and US-212 near the Wyoming-Montana line. Shoshone National Forest manages the federal lands along the route, with the Wapiti and Clarks Fork Ranger Districts covering most of it. The byway is the standard pairing with the Beartooth, forming a loop back to Cody if combined with WY-120.

Trail Overview

Forty-seven miles, paved two-lane, point-to-point. The climb out of the Big Horn Basin gains roughly 2,500 feet to Dead Indian Pass via switchbacks. The descent into Sunlight Basin drops about the same and runs through high sage country, then climbs gently to the Beartooth junction. Most cars and trailers handle the route in any season the road is open, which is most of the year.

Points of Interest

  • Dead Indian Hill Overlook. USFS interpretive site at the pass with views over the Clarks Fork canyon and into the Beartooth front. Vault toilets and a short walk to the rim.
  • Sunlight Basin. High open valley with the Sunlight Creek bridge, the highest in Wyoming.
  • Clarks Fork Yellowstone canyon. River canyon with multiple pullouts. The Clarks Fork is one of the only Wild & Scenic rivers in Wyoming.
  • Crandall area. Dispersed camping and trailheads into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
  • Pilot and Index Peaks. Granite spires visible from the western half of the byway.

Where to Camp

Shoshone National Forest maintains several developed campgrounds along or near the byway: Hunter Peak, Dead Indian, Lake Creek, and Crazy Creek. Sunlight Basin has dispersed camping on FS land off side roads. Cooke City and Silver Gate at the western end have private campgrounds and lodging.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The Dead Indian Pass switchbacks are exposed. Use engine braking on the descent.
  • Pair with the Beartooth Highway for a loop back to Red Lodge or to enter Yellowstone via the Northeast Entrance.
  • Watch for wildlife on the eastern half. Bighorn sheep are common in the Clarks Fork canyon.
  • Cell service drops in Sunlight Basin. Plan navigation accordingly.
  • The Hunter Peak area is a popular wilderness trailhead; arrive early in summer to claim parking.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 47 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Steep grades and switchbacks at the Dead Indian Hill descent; trailers manageable in good weather.
When is the best time to visit Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?
Spotty between Sunlight Basin and Cooke City; service in Cody and at Dead Indian Pass.