East Rosebud Road

Location

East Rosebud road is approximately 30 miles via MT-78 N west of Red Lodge, Montana.

District: Beartooth Ranger District

News

Read the August 3, 2023 News Release: East Rosebud Road Opening

Read the September 23, 2022 News Relese: West Rosebud Opens, Main Fork Rock Creek & East Rosebud Underway, Additional $22 Million in Repairs Estimated

Summary

P7-Photo of a temporary bridge across a dry wash in a forest.

Photo taken on 7/27/2023 during the launch of the East Rosebud temporary bridge on the Beartooth Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo.USDA Forest Service Photo.
View full-sized photo on Flickr

The East Rosebud Road has undergone emergency repairs to restore access to the trailhead and surrounding area after it was heavily impacted by the June 2022 flooding event. Groundwork began in October of 2022 following the June 2022 flooding event.

Road construction is ongoing, and visitors can expect up to 1 hour delays when using the road. To accommodate ongoing repairs and provide for public safety there will be limitations on the use of the road including high clearance vehicles only, length restrictions of 25 feet or less, no trailers, no pull-behind campers, no dispersed camping, no parking, and no stock. There will be limited pullouts and a speed limit of 25 mph. There will not be lake access and no stopping in unauthorized areas.

East Rosebud Lake Campground will be open but drinking water will not be immediately available.

The corridor as a whole appears very different than it did prior to the flooding, including the road, trail, and lakes. The trail is missing tread in many locations. The Snow Creek, Rimrock, and Granite Creek trail bridges on East Rosebud Trail #15 are all in need of replacement.

Construction on the trails will be continuing this summer and many years beyond, including ongoing blasting and construction tasks. Hiking the route known as the beaten path while not prohibited are not recommended, horses are not allowed per the forest order.

Time lapse video of temporary bridge installation_Custer Gallatin NF_ERB-Bridge-Timelapse

Time lapse of East Rosebud temporary bridge launch. Beartooth Ranger District,
Custer Gallatin National Forest. Time lapse taken on 7/27/2023.
USDA Forest Service video. View full-sized video Flickr

Photo of a paved path adjacent to a parking lot in the forest.

Photo of East Rosebud Complete loss of road during the Flood Assessment, Yellowstone District. Custer Gallatin Flood Assessment June 2022. USDA Forest Service photo. View full-sized photo on Flickr

Photo of a cabin submerged in water at a lake, only a portion of the roof and wood log walls remain.

Photo of East Rosebud Complete loss of road during the Flood Assessment, Yellowstone District. Custer Gallatin Flood Assessment June 2022. USDA Forest Service photo. View full-sized photo on Flickr

A photo of a paved path next to a lake with a cement roof appearing out of the water and also a chimney top.

East Rosebud Overview of stream and road destroyed by the flood. Photo taken duing the Custer Gallatin Flood Assessment June 2022. USDA Forest Service photo. View full-sized photo on Flickr

 

An image of a map of a new road

Photo of a map showing the new temporary East Rosebud Road compared to the old road location with a topographic basemap. USDA Forest Service photo. 

Photo of a map of a road with a high resolution aerial imagery basemap

Photo of a map showing the new temporary East Rosebud Road compared to the old road location with a high resolution aerial imagery basemap. USDA Forest Service photo.