Backcountry Discovery Route – Wyoming (WYBDR)
Five Continental Divide crossings through Wyoming's heart.
The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route crosses the Continental Divide five times in 550 miles, which tells you everything about what you’re signing up for. This isn’t a weekend warrior trail—it’s a legitimate backcountry traverse that runs from Colorado’s border to Montana’s, threading through some of the most remote country Wyoming has to offer. Your odometer will spin for five to seven days straight, climbing 18,500 feet of elevation gain through high desert, alpine passes, and genuine middle-of-nowhere territory where cell service is a memory and the nearest fuel stop might be 150 miles away.
The route demands a stock 4WD with decent ground clearance, but it won’t break your rig if you’ve got basic trail sense. Multiple water crossings keep things interesting, though nothing that’ll swamp a properly driven truck. The real challenge is the sheer scope—this is big country driving where preparation matters more than horsepower. You’ll top out at 10,200 feet before dropping back down into sagebrush flats, then climbing again. And again. The Divide doesn’t give up easy passage, and neither does Wyoming. July through September is your window; outside those months, you’re gambling with snow at elevation and mud season in the valleys.
Dispersed camping is available throughout, which is good because you’ll need it. This route runs through BLM, Forest Service, and state lands where finding a flat spot to pitch camp is part of the daily routine. Water can be scarce between mountain crossings, so plan accordingly. The landscape shifts constantly—from the rolling hills near Laramie to the serious alpine country around the Divide crossings, then back to high desert that stretches to every horizon. Navigation requires attention; this isn’t Interstate 80.
What you get for the commitment is genuine solitude in country most people only see from 30,000 feet. The WYBDR delivers what Wyoming promises but rarely gives up easily—endless views, complete silence, and the kind of driving where you cover serious ground through landscape that hasn’t changed much since the fur trappers pushed through. It’s honest backcountry travel for rigs and drivers ready to spend a week earning it. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 550 mi / 885 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Laramie, Wyoming |
| Land manager | BLM, USFS, State of Wyoming |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | ridebdr.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle the WYBDR without modifications?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum requirement and will get you through. Lifted rigs with all-terrain tires will have an easier time on the rougher sections, but a bone-stock 4Runner or Wrangler is not going to stop you if you're a competent driver.
When does snow close sections of the WYBDR?
July through September is the reliable window. High passes can hold snow into late June and get hit again by early October. Don't plan a May or June run expecting clear roads — you'll likely get turned around.
Do you need permits to run the WYBDR?
No single permit covers the whole route. You're crossing BLM, USFS, and State of Wyoming land — none of which require a fee or permit for vehicle travel on the established route. Dispersed camping rules vary by land management zone, so check the specific district if you're planning to camp off the beaten path.
What's the hardest section of the WYBDR and what should I expect?
The stretch through the Sierra Madre and around the Great Divide Basin throws the most at you — loose rock, steep shelf roads, and exposed ridgelines near the Continental Divide crossings. Nothing requires extreme crawling, but you'll want to be comfortable with narrow two-track at altitude with no guardrails and no one coming to help.
How do I handle fuel range on a 550-mile route with almost no cell service?
Plan for long gaps between fuel stops — some stretches exceed 100 miles of genuine backcountry with nothing. Carry a rotopax or auxiliary fuel can if your rig has a range under 300 miles. Know your towns in advance: Rawlins, Lander, Dubois, and Pinedale are your main fuel anchors along the route.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.