“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.” 

The Plan

Trip: Montana Backcountry Discovery Route 2027

Direction: Northbound

Style: Motel-based

Estimated duration: Eleven (11) days are allotted for this adventure ride. One (1) day for staging before the ride begins, eight (8) days for ridding, and two (2) days for contingency/buffer

Itinerary: Finalized, see MTBDR27 Rider Hub for specific dates

Lodging: Reservations are completed for lodging for 9 riders from staging through completion, see MTBDR27 Rider Hub for lodging details

Roster: 8 rider spots appear filled, 1 remains open. Accommodation vacancy is almost non-existent in several locations, so adding riders is essentially closed

Minimum fuel range target: 170 miles

Trip overview - The Montana Backcountry Discovery Route

The MTBDR is BDR’s 23rd route and completes the final link in the Western BDR system, creating a continuous backcountry network across the western United States. The approximately 900-mile route begins in Island Park, Idaho, and travels north through Montana before ending near the U.S.–Canada border outside of Eureka.

Crossing more than thirteen mountain ranges, the MTBDR takes riders deep into Big Sky Country, weaving together alpine ridgelines, remote valleys, dense pine forests, historic mining towns, wide-open ranchlands, and rugged two-track roads. Highlights include the Gravelly Range, Ruby River Valley, Virginia City, Butte, and the wild landscapes of the East Pioneer, Highland, and Cabinet Mountains.

Blending scenic gravel, flowing forest roads, and optional harder sections for more experienced riders, the MTBDR offers an ideal balance of accessibility and challenge.

The route is best enjoyed between July and September, depending on snow levels and seasonal closures.