Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
A mountain road over Dead Indian Pass and above the gorge of the Clarks Fork, linking Cody to the Beartooth Highway.
Photo: Smallchief · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Distance
- 76.0 km · 47.0 mi
- Highest point
- 2,453 m · 8,048 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours without stops
- Best season
- May–October; the road is plowed in winter, but the Beartooth Highway is not
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway guide: Dead Indian Summit, the Sunlight Creek bridge, the Clarks Fork Canyon, Crandall, combining it with the Beartooth Highway, fuel, wildlife and the riding season.
Overview
Wyoming Highway 296 runs 76 kilometers through the Shoshone National Forest between Highway 120 north of Cody and US-212 near the Beartooth Highway. It follows part of the route of the Nez Perce people, led by Chief Joseph, as they fled the US Army in 1877, and the road was only fully paved in the 1990s.
From the east, the road climbs in sweeping switchbacks to Dead Indian Summit at 2,453 meters, where an overlook looks over the Absaroka Range and the deep canyon of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. Farther on, the bridge over Sunlight Creek crosses a narrow gorge about 90 meters deep, the highest bridge in Wyoming.
Riders often combine the byway with the Beartooth Highway and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone into a loop of one long day. There is little fuel between Cody and Cooke City, and bison, elk, moose and bears are common along the road.
Chief Joseph: stops along the way
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1
Junction with WY-120
The southern start, about 27 kilometers north of Cody.
-
2
Dead Indian Summit
The highest point, with an overlook over the switchbacks, the Absaroka Range and the Clarks Fork.
-
3
Sunlight Creek Bridge
A bridge over a narrow, deep gorge, with a parking area at each end.
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4
Clarks Fork Canyon Overlook
A viewpoint above the canyon where the Clarks Fork leaves the mountains.
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5
Crandall
A small settlement with a lodge and campgrounds in a wide valley.
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6
Junction with US-212
The northern end, a few kilometers from the Beartooth Highway and Cooke City.
Chief Joseph: good to know
- Fill up in Cody; gas is scarce until Cooke City.
- Watch for cattle, bison and gravel in the curves.
- Combine it with the Beartooth Highway; both usually open from late May.
Road rules along the way
Laws change at each state line.
Wyoming
- Top speed limit
- 80 mph (129 km/h)
- Phone while driving
- Texting banned
- Motorcycle helmet
- Required under age 18
- Lane splitting
- Not allowed
Checked Oct 25, 2026; posted signs take priority.
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