BDR Receives the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Grant
July 21, 2026
SEATTLE, WA (July 7, 2026) — Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $45,000 grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) to support the development and long-term stewardship of three new BDR-X routes across the western United States.
The grant will support the creation and ongoing management of the upcoming Hells Canyon BDR-X in Idaho and Oregon, the Red Desert BDR-X in Wyoming, and the Grand Staircase BDR-X in Utah.
Funding will help cover route scouting and verification, the development of free GPS tracks, maps, and travel resources, ongoing route maintenance and updates, and collaboration with land managers to help ensure riders have safe, responsible access to public lands. Together, these projects will expand opportunities for adventure motorcycling while helping preserve access for future generations.
Since its founding in 2008, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has supported hundreds of projects across the United States that improve access to public lands for responsible outdoor recreation through education, stewardship, and sustainable trail and route development.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative for their investment in responsible motorized recreation and protecting access to public lands. This grant allows us to create and manage three exceptional BDR-X routes while continuing to provide riders with free GPS tracks, maps, educational resources, and up-to-date route information. Yamaha’s commitment to protecting access benefits the entire adventure riding community.”
“Well-designed and thoughtfully maintained routes are fundamental to responsible, motorized recreation. BDR delivers on the promise of adventure these trails offer, defining and protecting access in tangible ways riders can appreciate and enjoy. This work is a creative, direct expression of the mission of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, and we are proud to be a part of BDR’s success.”
THE THREE PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE GRANT INCLUDE:
- Hells Canyon BDR-X (Idaho & Oregon) – A 520-mile loop that circumnavigates Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. The route release is scheduled for August 7th at the Yamaha Ténéré Trek Owner’s Rally at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho.
- Red Desert BDR-X (Wyoming) – An expansion of an existing BDR-X route showcasing Wyoming’s high desert, expansive public lands, and unique geological features. Route release in 2027.
- Grand Staircase BDR-X (Utah) – A route exploring the spectacular landscapes surrounding Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and southern Utah’s canyon country. Route release in 2027.
Unlike many recreation routes, every BDR route is managed long after its release. BDR works closely with land managers, local volunteers, and the riding community to monitor changing conditions, remove obstacles, communicate seasonal closures, and encourage riders to stay on designated roads and trails. This long-term stewardship helps preserve access while protecting sensitive public lands.
Beyond improving access to public lands, BDR routes provide significant economic benefits to the rural communities they connect. Adventure riders purchase fuel, meals, lodging, camping gear, and supplies in small towns throughout their journey, creating sustainable tourism revenue in communities that increasingly rely on outdoor recreation. A 2022 study by the University of Wyoming’s Center for Business & Economic Analysis estimated that riders on the 17 BDR routes in existence at the time contributed more than $60 million annually to local economies. As new BDR routes are added, more rural communities benefit from the economic impact of adventure motorcycle travel.
HELLS CANYON BDR-X ROUTE RELEASE, FILM PREMIERE & YOUTUBE BROADCAST
The Hells Canyon BDR-X will be the first route completed under the grant and will be released on August 7, 2026, during the inaugural Yamaha Ténéré Trek at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho.
DATE/TIME:
Friday, August 7, 2026
7:00 PM (Mountain Time)
LOCATION:
In Person: Yamaha Ténéré Trek Owner’s Rally at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho
Online: YouTube.com/RideBDR
MORE INFO & RSVP:
Visit the Event Page for details and to RSVP for the route launch party.
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