There's a route that follows the spine of North America from Canada to Mexico. It crosses five states, climbs to 13,000 feet, and traverses some of the most remote and beautiful country on the continent. Hikers know it as the Continental Divide Trail—a 3,100-mile footpath that takes six months to walk.
But there's another way to experience the Divide. On two wheels, following the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and connecting dirt roads that parallel the trail, you can ride from the Canadian border to the Mexican border in two weeks of the most spectacular motorcycle camping imaginable.
This is the Continental Divide dream ride. Here's how to make it happen.
The Route: An Overview
The Continental Divide Motorcycle Route (CDMR) isn't a single official trail like the hiking CDT. It's a connecting network of Forest Service roads, dirt tracks, and occasional pavement that follows the Divide as closely as motorized vehicles can. Total distance: approximately 2,800 miles.
| State | Miles | Key Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 650 | High plains, Rocky Mountain Front |
| Idaho | 400 | Sawtooth Mountains, desert canyons |
| Wyoming | 550 | Wind River Range, Great Divide Basin |
| Colorado | 750 | High alpine, San Juan Mountains |
| New Mexico | 450 | Desert, Gila Wilderness, Chihuahuan Desert |
When to Ride
Timing is everything on the Divide. Too early and you'll hit snow in the high country. Too late and you'll face monsoon storms in New Mexico.
Northbound riders should start in late June from New Mexico, reaching Colorado by August. Southbound riders should start in mid-July from Montana. Either direction works—the key is hitting Colorado's high passes in August when they're snow-free.
The Right Bike
You don't need a $20,000 adventure bike. You need reliability, decent ground clearance, and the ability to carry gear. Here are the best options:
Budget Champion: Suzuki DR650
The DR650 has been virtually unchanged for 30 years because it works. Simple air-cooled thumper, bulletproof reliability, plenty of aftermarket support. With proper springs and a larger tank, it's a capable Divide machine for under $5,000 used.
Middle Ground: KTM 690 Enduro R
The 690 strikes the perfect balance between dirt capability and highway comfort. Light enough for technical sections, powerful enough for paved stretches. Maintenance-intensive but unbeatable performance.
Comfort Option: BMW F850GS
If you prioritize comfort over ultimate dirt capability, the F850GS offers heated grips, cruise control, and wind protection for long days. Heavier on technical terrain but eats highway miles.
Essential Modifications
Stock bikes need work before tackling the Divide:
- Skid plate: Non-negotiable. Rocks will find your engine cases.
- Crash bars: Protects the bike when you drop it (you will drop it).
- Hand guards: Essential for brush and cold mornings.
- Larger fuel tank or Rotopax: 200+ mile range needed—gas stations are rare.
- Luggage racks: Soft luggage is lighter; hard cases are more secure.
- Foot pegs: Wider pegs reduce fatigue on standing sections.
- Tires: 50/50 dual-sport tires minimum. TKC80s or K60 Scouts are popular.
The Daily Rhythm
A typical Divide day starts early. Alpine sunrises at 10,000 feet are spectacular, and morning miles are usually the smoothest.
By noon, you're looking for afternoon thunderstorm patterns. The Divide creates its own weather—storms build quickly above treeline. The strategy: gain elevation early, descend by afternoon, or camp below treeline before storms hit.
Evening finds you in camp by 5 PM, setting up as light fades. Dinner is simple—dehydrated meals or pasta. You're asleep by 9, exhausted from 8 hours in the saddle.
Segment Breakdown
Montana: The Northern Approach
Start at the Canadian border near Glacier National Park. The route immediately climbs into the Rockies, crossing the Chinese Wall—a dramatic limestone escarpment that defines the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Highlights: Grinnell Glacier views, Swan Valley grasslands, ghost towns of the Pioneer Mountains
Challenges: River crossings can be deep in early season. Grizzly country—carry bear spray.
Idaho: The Hidden Gem
Idaho surprises everyone. The route traces the spine of the Sawtooth Mountains, then drops into the high desert of the Snake River Plain. It's the least populated section—perfect for solitude seekers.
Highlights: Sawtooth Lake, Craters of the Moon, Salmon River canyons
Challenges: Long distances between services. Carry extra water and fuel.
Wyoming: The Great Divide Basin
Wyoming's Red Desert is unlike anything else on the route. It's a high-altitude desert where the Divide splits, creating a bowl where water can't escape. No rivers, no streams—just sagebrush and antelope.
Highlights: Wild horses, open range riding, Wind River Range views
Challenges: Brutal heat in July. Carry 2+ gallons of water. No shade for campsites.
Colorado: The High Country
Colorado is the crux. You'll spend days above 11,000 feet, crossing passes that would be ski runs in winter. The air is thin, the weather unpredictable, and the views unmatched.
Highlights: La Garita Wilderness, San Juan Mountains, Stony Pass, Cinnamon Pass
Challenges: Altitude sickness is real. Thunderstorms strike daily above treeline. Technical rocky sections test both bike and rider.
New Mexico: The Desert Finale
New Mexico's Gila Wilderness offers technical riding through ponderosa forests and hot springs. South of Silver City, the route drops into true desert, following the Mexican border to the terminus at Antelope Wells.
Highlights: Gila Hot Springs, City of Rocks, Bootheel grasslands
Challenges: Extreme heat. Monsoon thunderstorms July-September. Border patrol checkpoints.
Camping Strategy
The Divide passes through mostly public land—Forest Service, BLM, wilderness study areas. Camping is generally allowed anywhere outside designated wilderness and developed recreation areas.
Dispersed camping rules:
- Camp 100+ feet from water sources
- Use existing fire rings or stoves only
- Pack out everything—including toilet paper
- Respect wildlife closures
- 14-day limit in any spot
In populated areas, established campgrounds offer showers and water refills. Plan these every 3-4 days for sanity and hygiene.
Gear Essentials
Beyond standard motorcycle camping gear, the Divide requires:
- Satellite communicator: Garmin inReach or Spot device. Cell service is nonexistent for days.
- Paper maps: Butler Maps or the CDT maps from the Adventure Cycling Association.
- GPS tracks: Downloaded to your phone or dedicated GPS unit.
- Water purification: Filter or chemicals. Giardia is real.
- Toolkit: Comprehensive, including spokes, tubes, levers, and chain tools.
- Spare parts: Clutch cable, throttle cable, oil filter, chain links, spark plug.
- Rain gear: Quality gear that works on the bike. You'll ride through storms.
- Cold weather gear: Even in August, 10,000-foot mornings are freezing.
The Mental Game
The Divide isn't just physically demanding—it's mentally grueling. Days without seeing another person. Mechanical failures in remote locations. Weather that changes hourly.
Success requires patience. When you're pushing your bike through a mud bog at 11,000 feet in a hailstorm, remember: this is why you came. The difficulty is the point. The views, the solitude, the sense of accomplishment—they're earned through struggle.
Is This For You?
The Continental Divide motorcycle route is for riders who:
- Have solid off-road skills—intermediate minimum
- Can handle self-rescue situations
- Are comfortable with 8+ hour riding days
- Don't mind getting uncomfortable
- Have mechanical aptitude (or willingness to learn)
- Can navigate without constant cell service
It's not for brand new riders, those on tight schedules, or anyone who needs daily showers and hot meals.
The Reward
Finish at the Mexican border, look back at 2,800 miles of mountains, deserts, and high plains, and you'll understand why people come back year after year. The Continental Divide is more than a route—it's a pilgrimage.
The bike will be filthy. You'll be exhausted. And you'll already be planning next year's ride before you reach the first paved road home.
That's the Divide. That's the dream.