Island and Night Lakes

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Situated at the top of Beartooth Pass, this route lets the car do all the climbing—up to over 9,500 feet—making this a remarkably flat and mellow route. From the trailhead, wander through alpine meadows along the edges of both Island Lake and Night Lake. Turn back whenever you'd like or continue deeper into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area.

The trailhead is on Beartooth Highway #212, south of Red Lodge and east of Cooke City. Approaching from either direction is pretty straightforward as the access road is well signed. Turn north on FS Road #148 after signs for Island Lake Campground. Turn right on the first turnoff to get to the trailhead—the campground is to the left, and continuing straight goes to the boat ramp.

Begin the run by leaving the trailhead and following the trail that angles across the meadow towards the boat ramp. Cross the boat ramp and continue along the Beartooth High Lakes Trail as it winds around the west side of Island Lake. It's a hair longer than one mile to the northern end of Island Lake. Then it's approximately 0.1 miles between the lakes, and then another 0.6 miles to the northern end of Night Lake. Turn back here, or continue onwards!

The Island Lake Campground is an excellent location from which to explore the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area—Island and Night Lakes offer plenty of exploration opportunities, as do the numerous trails beyond them and both east and west along Highway #212. The trailhead is also the starting point for a plethora backpacking excursions, but just be sure to do your research on necessary wilderness and fishing permits given the proximity to the Montana-Wyoming State border and the differing regulations in each state.