Length: 47.0 miles / 75.6 km
Time to Allow: Allow at least 1 hour to tour this byway.
Located along the northeastern edge of Yellowstone National Park, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway offers spectacular views and a unique history. However, not only will you find the breathtaking beauty that Wyoming is known for, you will find world-class opportunities for wildlife viewing, access to a variety of recreation oppportunities, and a chance to see the land where the legendary flight of Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce occurred. Dedicated to this story, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway offers you the opportunity to learn more of this tragic tale. From prehistoric times to the present, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway has much to reveal about the relationship between the natural environment and human history.
Overview:
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, State Hwy. 296, is located along the northeastern edge of Yellowstone National Park. It winds 46 spectacular miles from Cody, Wyoming to Cooke city, Montana. This famous highway is also popularly known as Sunlight Basin Road and is open almost all year round, allowing backcountry skiers and snowmobilers access to the Beartooth Pass area. Only an eight mile section of the road (between Cooke City, Montana and Pilot Creek, Wyoming) is not plowed in the winter and typically opens up in May. continue
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway starts 17 miles north of Cody off State Hwy. 120. Heart Mountain dominates the southeastern view as the road climbs past vibrant red buttes. The paved road switchbacks along hairpin turns and leads you into a remote basin area. Other parts of the byway offers breathtaking views of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. Keep an eye out for wildlife. This area boasts the largest herd of mountain goats in Wyoming. The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway comes to an end at the intersection with the Beartooth Highway, US Hwy. 212.
The name, Sunlight Basin Road, comes from the 1940s when fur trappers noticed that the area filled with light, but was so remote that the only thing that could get into the valley throughout the year was sunlight.
The more popular name, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, is named after the Native American chief of the Nez Perce tribe. Following the Battle of the Big Hole in Idaho in 1877, Chief Joseph fled east through Yellowstone. He and 1,000 members of his tribe ran from the US Calvary, who was trying to force the tribe onto a reservation so that white ranchers could have their lands. While crossing Yellowstone, the Nez Perce briefly captured several tourists before going north up the Clarks Fork River. The Nez Perce were trying to flee to Canada (an 1,800 mile trek), but surrendered after the six-day Battle of the Bear Paw in northeastern Montana. The tribe was stopped only 30 miles from their destination, the Canadian border.
In his speech of surrender, Chief Joseph expressed dignity and defeat with his famous words, 'Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.' The Nez Perce tribe was forced onto reservations in Oklahoma and Washington despite promises to allow them back on their lands. Yellowstone's Nez Perce Creek is named for this valiant attempt at freedom.
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway offers unparalleled views of Wyoming as well as a unique history of the US. This famous road is also known for its fascinating geological features as well as its abundant wildlife around every hairpin turn.
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