Quick answer: Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has published multi-day, GPS-mapped off-highway routes since 2010, designed for adventure and dual-sport motorcycles. Its classic routes cross a state in 600 to 1,300 miles, and several route pages say a high-clearance 4x4 can drive them too; six cross states we cover.
What Backcountry Discovery Routes are
Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel, and it has been doing so since 2010. Its stated mission is to create, preserve and protect off-highway motorized access to public lands. Each classic route strings together county roads, national forest roads, seasonal dirt roads and some pavement from one state border to another.
For every route, ridebdr.com publishes free GPS tracks, digital maps, trip-planning resources and condition updates. Waterproof printed maps are sold separately, and BDR produces feature-length expedition documentary films. The organization relies on donors and volunteers for funding and route work.
BDR, BDR-X and Connector Routes
| Type | What it is | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| BDR | A cross-state route, border to border | 600–1,300 miles, usually 5–9 days |
| BDR-X | A shorter BDR-style loop, such as Big Bend (Texas), Black Hills (South Dakota), Hells Canyon (Idaho/Oregon) or the Ozarks (Arkansas) | Typically 3–5 days |
| Connector | An off-highway link from the end of one BDR to the start of another | Varies |
BDR groups its routes by challenge as Moderate, Challenging or Difficult, and notes that difficulty also depends on the rider's skill and fitness and on bike and tire choice.
The Six BDRs We Cover, Compared
| Route | Miles | Sections | How BDR describes it | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 745 | 6 | Challenging; mostly off-road | July–September; most of it by late June |
| Washington | 688 | 6 | Difficult; intermediate to advanced terrain | July–September |
| Oregon | 682 | 7 | Intermediate-plus, not the hardest BDR | Early July–end of September |
| Mid-Atlantic | About 1,100 | 9 | One of the easier BDRs; forest roads and rural lanes | Mid-May to first snow; best early June and September–October |
| Idaho | 1,250 | 9 | Easier than the Utah or Arizona BDRs; mostly unpaved | July–October |
| Montana | About 900 | 8 | Moderate main route, with optional harder alternates | July and September, snow permitting |
Driving a BDR in a 4x4
BDR builds its routes for motorcycles, so the question for a 4WD owner is whether the roads are wide enough. The route pages answer it route by route:
- Colorado and Washington: accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles, since the entire route is at least double-track.
- Oregon: open to all vehicles; BDR advises a high-clearance 4x4 because of deep puddles, large rocks, huge ruts and steep loose grades.
- Mid-Atlantic: can also be driven in a 4x4.
- Montana: every road on the main route is public and open to licensed vehicles; the optional harder alternates need a dedicated 4WD rig, not a stock vehicle.
- Idaho: the route page says it is designed for adventure and dual-sport motorcycles and does not address 4x4 use.
Because the routes cross land run by several agencies, permits and seasonal closures vary section by section; each of our route guides below covers its own route's specifics.
Backcountry Discovery Routes we cover
Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route (COBDR)
The Colorado BDR is an official, nonprofit-mapped, multi-day route across the state on county roads, national forest roads and seasonal dirt tracks, built and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map from its own official site.
Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR)
The Washington BDR (WABDR) is an official, nonprofit-published multi-day route across Washington state on national forest, DNR and county roads, mapped and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map.
Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route (ORBDR)
The Oregon BDR (ORBDR) is an official, nonprofit-published multi-day route across Oregon on national forest, BLM and county roads, mapped and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map.
Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR)
The Mid-Atlantic BDR (MABDR) is an official, nonprofit-published multi-day route through Virginia and West Virginia's Appalachian backcountry, mapped and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map.
Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route (IDBDR)
The Idaho BDR (IDBDR) is an official, nonprofit-published multi-day route across Idaho on national forest, BLM and county roads, mapped and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map.
Montana Backcountry Discovery Route (MTBDR)
The Montana BDR (MTBDR) is an official, nonprofit-published multi-day route across Montana on national forest, BLM and county roads, mapped and published by Backcountry Discovery Routes with free GPS tracks and a waterproof paper map.
Individual route guides are dripping live on our publishing schedule — check back soon.
Recommended gear
Gear for long, remote routes
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Best for extra fuel on long, remote routes (EPA & CARB compliant).
- 5-gallon (20 L) NATO-style steel jerry can with spout.
- EPA and CARB compliant.
Best for plugging a tread puncture on the trail.
- Reamer-and-plugger kit for tread punctures.
- Lets you plug a tire on the trail instead of changing it.
Best for fast inflation of larger off-road tires.
- Heavy-duty 12V off-road compressor.
- Built for inflating larger off-road tires quickly.
Best for carrying drinking water where none is available.
- 5-gallon (20 L) BPA-free, food-grade water container.
- Military-style jug that stacks and stores in the bed.
We research products from manufacturer specs and owner feedback; we don't test them ourselves. How we choose.
Sources
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — About BDR — 501(c)(3) status, operating since 2010, motorcycle focus, free GPS tracks and maps, funding, films
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Our Mission — Mission to create, preserve and protect off-highway motorized access to public lands
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Routes Overview — BDR, BDR-X and connector definitions, lengths, days and difficulty groupings
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Download Tracks — Free GPS track downloads
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Colorado BDR — 745 miles, six sections, season, double-track 4x4 access
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Washington BDR — 688 miles, six sections, Difficult rating, 4x4 access
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Oregon BDR — 682 miles, seven sections, intermediate-plus, high-clearance 4x4 advice
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Mid-Atlantic BDR — About 1,100 miles, nine sections, easier route, 4x4 use, season
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Idaho BDR — 1,250 miles, nine sections, motorcycle design, season
- Backcountry Discovery Routes — Montana BDR — About 900 miles, eight sections, licensed-vehicle access, harder alternates
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Register an Off-Highway Vehicle — Colorado OHV Permit for plated vehicles on designated OHV trails
Frequently Asked
What is a Backcountry Discovery Route?
A Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) is a GPS-mapped, multi-day off-highway route published by the nonprofit Backcountry Discovery Routes. Classic BDRs cross a state in 600 to 1,300 miles, usually over 5 to 9 days; BDR-X routes are shorter loops of 3 to 5 days.
Can you drive a BDR in a 4x4?
BDR designs its routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycles, but several route pages address 4x4s directly. The Colorado and Washington pages say the entire route is at least double-track, the Oregon page recommends a high-clearance 4x4, and the Montana page says its roads are public and open to licensed vehicles, with optional harder tracks that need a dedicated 4WD rig.
Are Backcountry Discovery Routes free?
The GPS tracks, digital maps, trip-planning resources and route condition updates are free on ridebdr.com. Waterproof printed maps are sold separately, and the organization is funded by donors and volunteers.
Do I need a permit to drive a Backcountry Discovery Route?
There is no single BDR permit. Each route crosses county, national forest and BLM roads, and the rules of the land manager and the state apply; in Colorado, for example, a plated vehicle needs a Colorado OHV Permit on designated OHV trails.