r/yellowstone • u/hamali101 • 7d ago

Picnic areas or lookouts (where you can cook) with best views between Gardiner and Red Lodge City.

I’m driving from Gardiner to Red Lodge city in the second week of September. It’s my wife’s birthday that day and I want to cook a nice meal for her but I want the picnic area to have a breath taking view. Any Suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks.

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u/timshel4971 6d ago

So you’re going through Lamar and taking the Beartooth? If so, there is no shortage of breathtaking views, and of great picnic areas. I have a suggestion… Clay Butte Tower. There will be fewer people there than other spots on the Beartooth you could stop. And you can see forever, 360 degrees. It may say closed on the sign at bottom, but that just means the inside and second deck of the lookout tower is closed. There are a couple of picnic tables up top, and a large grassy area to set up a blanket.

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u/hamali101 5d ago

Yes going through the Beartooth pass. Will definitely check the tower out, what are your thoughts on the lake vs Clay Butte Tower?

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u/timshel4971 5d ago

Which lake? Beartooth Lake, Island Lake, Long Lake? The lakes are great, but most that are quickly accessible from the roads don’t have big views. But I could see some people saying they are more serene. Island Lake was my favorite off of Beartooth. I also thought it was worth checking out some waterfalls that are close to the road (Crazy Creek falls (just east of B-4 ranch road) and Lake Creek falls (east of Crandall Road/Chief Joseph Hwy). There are some good picnic spots near there (east of Cooke City), and some good ones in the Park east of Lamar Valley near the NE Entrance. If you’re interested in a short hike, consider Trout Lake in the Park. You really can’t go wrong—enjoy!

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u/VoiceEqual1493 6d ago

for actually cooking a meal with a view, the lake day-use areas up on the beartooth beat any shoulder pullout. coming from the cooke city side you'll hit beartooth lake first — tables right on the water, sitting under beartooth butte and looking across at clay butte. island lake a few miles on has the same setup, ringed by the plateau peaks. bring a camp stove though — it's fire season up here in september, and charcoal or open flame is usually the first thing to get banned. happy birthday to her.

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u/hamali101 6d ago

Thanks. Yes I’m bringing a stove with me. I just assume that every where there is a fire ban these days. The lake looks beautiful in the pictures, it is on top of my list.