Dempster Highway — Dawson City to Eagle Plains via the Tombstone Highlands and Blackstone Plateau (Southbound Return Segment)
Sierra Madre dirt, basin antelope, zero cell bars.
The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route’s southern segment runs roughly 400 miles from Pinedale south to Encampment, threading through some of the least-visited country in the American West. The route drops through the Wyoming Range west of Pinedale, crosses the Green River Basin via dirt county roads, hits the Great Divide Basin — a closed hydrological system where water has no outlet to any ocean — and climbs back into timber on the Sierra Madre range before dropping into the old copper-mining town of Encampment on the Colorado border. The Savery–Dixon area offers long stretches of BLM two-track with antelope as your only company for 50 miles at a stretch.
The southern segment is more approachable than the northern BDR run — a stock 4WD with decent clearance handles the majority of it in dry conditions. The challenge is weather and distance: afternoon thunderstorms July through August can make clay two-track completely impassable, and services are thin between Pinedale, Rawlins, and Encampment. Fuel planning is essential. June and September are the sweet spots — snow is mostly off the Sierra Madre passes, and the mud season is either behind or ahead of you. Dispersed camping throughout on BLM and National Forest land. Satellite communication is strongly recommended for the basin crossings where cell service doesn’t exist.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 400 mi / 644 km |
| Duration | 4-6 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10300 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Pinedale, Wyoming |
| Land manager | BLM Wyoming and USDA Forest Service (Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Wyoming State Office Wyoming BDR official route page |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this route without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD with decent clearance (8+ inches) can run this route. Aired-down all-terrains help on the looser gravel sections, but you don't need a lift to complete it.
When does snow close the high-altitude sections and when do they reopen?
Higher passes can hold snow into late May and see early storms by October. Stick to June through September for the safest window — late July and August are the most reliable.
Do you need any permits or pay fees to run this route?
No permit is required to drive the Wyoming BDR. Some dispersed campsites fall under BLM or Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest jurisdiction where standard camping rules apply, but there's no route-specific fee or registration.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The Sierra Madre climbs and the Encampment River canyon segments have the most aggressive grades and loose surface — expect steep, eroded dirt shelves where momentum and tire choice matter. Nothing requires lockers, but wet conditions can turn moderate into a bad day fast.
How far is the longest fuel gap on this route and where should you top off?
Services are thin — Pinedale and Rawlins are your main fuel anchors, with a long stretch of empty basin in between. Carry a minimum 5-gallon reserve and top off every time you see a pump; don't count on small-town stations being open off-hours.
Trail track
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