America's Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route Released (+ Video)

Ron Lieback
2022-04-20T19:09:01+02:00

America’s adventure touring popularity grows yearly for both stateside and international riders. And one non-profit advocacy organization has helped propel this growth—Backcountry Discovery Routes.

Founded in 2010 and supported by Touratech-USA, BMW Motorrad, and Butler Maps, the mission of the Backcountry Discovery Routes, or BDR, is to create off-highway routes across America for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel.

The organization offers free GPS tracks and routes across America and has produced one every year since 2010 except for 2021 due to the global pandemic.

The latest route release is the Wyoming BDR, which maps out 897 miles (1,443 kilometers) of ADV riding treks across the USA’s least populated state that contains 48 percent of public land. This makes the WYBDR the most remote adventure in all 11 BDRs so far.

"Riders will love the scenic diversity of the WYBDR", says Bryce Stevens, Wyoming Route Architect, and BDR Co-Founder. "This route showcases the character of the state with forested mountain ranges, high-desert plains, rural valleys, and so many different backcountry settings. The elevations frequently change, and so does the scenery. The challenging sections were the most special to me, and I think they will test even the most experienced of riders."

The BDR runs south to north through Wyoming, beginning in Baggs and ending at the Wyoming-Montana border. The trip takes adventure riders through some notable dirt routes through the Sierra Madre, Medicine Row, and West River mountain ranges before heading through the Bighorn Mountains to reach the Montana border.

Speaking of the route, the BDR says, "Almost every section includes some moderately technical riding, as the remote two-track flows through regions of vast high-desert, short-grass prairies, and alpine climates.
You will experience expansive views from the summit of two different 11,000-foot mountains, cross two major rim escarpments and pass through many other seldom-visited areas and historic mining towns. This is the most remote BDR, so plan and be prepared to have a true backcountry adventure."

Want more? Visit the Ride BDR website for free GPS tracks, a digital map, professional photographs, and travel resources.

The BDR also offers a package that includes a documentary film of the route directed by Sterling Noren and produced by BDR Documentary Films and a printed waterproof map.

The BDR takes out all the planning for those looking to travel and moto camp among some of the most scenic landscapes across the United States. The goal of the BDR, which also does work in rider education, safety campaigns, and promoting responsible travel for motorcyclists traveling in the backcountry, is to eventually connect each route so riders can travel across the USA on mostly dirt roads.

To date, the Backcountry Discovery Routes are also available for 10 other states/regions:

Washington

Colorado

Idaho

Nevada

Utah

Arizona

New Mexico

Mid-Atlantic

California South (North under development)

North East

Various routes are under development with the help of many volunteers. To stay up to date on the next route, visit Backcountry Discovery Routes.