Motorcycle Ride Planner · Routes · United States

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

United States · WY-296

Traces the retreat route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe in 1877 through the Absaroka Mountains. Climbs dramatically to Dead Indian Pass at 8,071 feet before dropping into Sunlight Basin with sweeping high-speed radius bends, Clarks Fork Canyon gorge views, and pristine mountain asphalt.

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway runs 46 miles between WY-120 Junction (North of Cody), WY and US-212 Junction (Beartooth Hwy), WY. We count about 170 corners along it, which is flowing rather than tight. Committed riding: real corners, real consequences.

Tank-bag quick reference

• StartWY-120 Junction (North of Cody), WY44.7578, -109.1864
• High4,900 ft - 8,071 ft (Dead Indian Pass)elevation range
• EndUS-212 Junction (Beartooth Hwy), WY44.9125, -109.6019

T-CLOCS before you go: tyres and wheels, controls and cables, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis and stand.

Repair within reach

• 18 miYellowstone PowersportsCody, United States

Straight-line distance from the start of the route, not driving distance.

More in United States

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• Blue Ridge Parkway (Southern High Peaks Section)129 mi · 580 corners
• The Snake 421 (Holston Mountain Pass)33 mi · 489 corners
• Coronado Trail (The Devil's Highway)92 mi · 460 corners
• Lolo Pass (Lewis and Clark Highway)132 mi · 450 corners

Questions riders ask

How long does Chief Joseph Scenic Byway take to ride?

About 46 miles. At an unhurried pace with stops that is roughly 1 hour of riding, longer if you are stopping for photographs.

Where does Chief Joseph Scenic Byway start and end?

It runs between WY-120 Junction (North of Cody), WY and US-212 Junction (Beartooth Hwy), WY. Either end works as a start; the route reads the same in both directions.

Is Chief Joseph Scenic Byway a twisty road?

We count about 170 corners across 46 miles, which is flowing rather than tight.

Is there a GPX file for Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?

Yes. The GPX is free, there is no account, and the planner will build a route that includes this road alongside others nearby.

Where these numbers come from

Distances and corner counts come from the route's own geometry, not from ratings or votes. Nothing here is crowdsourced and nobody paid to appear.