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Lamar Valley: Tower to Cooke City, Yellowstone, Wyoming and Montana
Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Drives Wyoming Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Lamar Valley: Tower to Cooke City

US 212 · Tower Junction → Cooke City

Leisurely32 mi1 hr 10 min2,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 7,600 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the Northeast Entrance Road, from Tower Junction east to Cooke City. It crosses the Yellowstone River, passes the Lamar Buffalo Ranch, and runs through the broad Lamar Valley, then follows Soda Butte Creek toward Cooke City.

Lamar Valley is known as one of the most consistent places to see wolves, and it is home to bison, pronghorn and bears. The Lamar Canyon and Junction Butte packs live along the Lamar River. People sometimes call it America's Serengeti.

The drive is 31.5 miles and about 1 hr 10 min, with mostly gentle curves. It is the one road in the park that stays open to cars all year, as far as Cooke City.

Along the way

  1. Tower Junction
  2. Lamar Buffalo Ranch
  3. Cooke City
Elevation
2,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 7,600 ft
Tower JunctionCooke City
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Tower JunctionCooke City
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance is open year-round, per NPS.
  • Yellowstone charges an entrance fee: $35 for a private vehicle, good for seven days.
  • Stay 25 yards from bison and 100 yards from wolves and bears, pull fully off the road, and stay with your vehicle during a wildlife jam.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Yellowstone National Park: park road status.

Questions about this drive

Is the road through Lamar Valley open in winter?

Yes. NPS lists the road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance, which includes Lamar Valley to Cooke City, as open year-round.

How long does Lamar Valley take to drive?

Tower Junction to Cooke City is 31.5 miles and takes about 1 hr 10 min without stops.

What wildlife can you see in Lamar Valley?

Lamar Valley is known for wolves, bison, pronghorn and bears, with the Lamar Canyon and Junction Butte wolf packs living along the river.

Is there a fee to drive through Lamar Valley?

Yes. The road is inside Yellowstone, where a private vehicle pass is $35 and valid for seven days.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Lamar Valley: Tower to Cooke City, from Tower Junction to Cooke City