Backcountry Discovery Routes® Names onX Offroad as Official Navigation App And Launches New Interactive Website Maps
August 25, 2025
Seattle, WA — August 18th Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®), the non-profit dedicated to creating off-pavement routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcyclists, has named onX Offroad its Official Navigation App. The partnership offers riders seamless GPX file imports and offline BDR route navigation directly on their phones.
Alongside this partnership, BDR has introduced an upgraded version of its interactive website maps, powered by Backtrack Maps and built on the Mapbox location platform. The new maps make planning BDR routes easier and more intuitive, giving riders the ability to:
- Zoom in on each route section to view detailed descriptions, photographs, permit and fee reminders, and helpful links.
- Toggle layers for fire activity, snowpack, camping, public lands, and USFS offices.
- Switch between topo, satellite, and street views.
These features give riders a richer, more informed planning experience, whether preparing for a weekend ride or a multi-day BDR expedition.
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Seamless Navigation with onX Offroad
Once riders download the latest tracks from the BDR website, they can easily import them into the onX Offroad app for smooth, reliable navigation, even without cell service. For the best experience, BDR recommends the Elite subscription, which unlocks full offline map functionality and other helpful features.
Key OnX Offroad features for adventure motorcyclists include:
- Quick import of BDR GPX tracks (See a step-by-step guide).
- Offline maps – Navigate confidently in remote areas without cell service.
- Public land boundaries for responsible travel.
- 3D terrain views for better route planning.
- Waypoint marking and ride tracking to save or share progress.
- Dispersed Camping Layer to locate legal primitive campsites.
- Active Wildfire Layer for real-time safety updates.
- Device syncing from desktop planning to mobile navigation.
BDR supporters can receive 25% off an Elite onX Offroad subscription through this dedicated link. For a limited time, onX is also offering a Labor Day promotion with 50% off Elite status on their website.
GPS tracks will continue to be available for free download and remain compatible with any GPS device supporting GPX files with at least 500 waypoints.
“We’re proud to partner with onX Offroad, not only because the app is intuitive, reliable, and packed with features essential for off-pavement motorcycle travel, but because we share a common purpose. onX is developing technology that informs, inspires, and empowers people to responsibly explore public lands. Their commitment to access, stewardship, and community aligns perfectly with BDR’s mission.”
“Our new interactive maps have become an essential tool for planning and managing BDR routes. They not only provide detailed route information but also real-time layers like wildfire activity and snow levels, which are invaluable for riders preparing to head out. Paired with onX Offroad, my go-to navigation app for scouting and expeditions, the combination of offline maps, powerful features, and easy track integration makes these resources indispensable whether I’m planning at my desk or riding in the backcountry.”
Using BDR Tracks in onX Offroad: A Step-by-Step Guide
Get the most out of your onX Offroad app with free BDR GPS tracks, color-coded routes, and offline map tips.
How to upload and use BDR Tracks on onX Offroad App
- Download free BDR tracks from https://ridebdr.com/download-tracks/
- Save the .gpx in your ‘Downloads’ or ‘Files’ folder on your device.
- Open the onX Offroad app, and from My Content (at the bottom of the screen), click “Import” and select the .gpx file to import. Alternatively you can click on the file in your folder and ‘share to’ the onX Offroad app.
- When the import is complete, you will see numerous Tracks and Waypoints. We recommend creating a separate Route Folder to keep all this data together using one folder for each route.
- Once you’re ready to ride the route, find the folder under ‘My Content’, click the track for Section 1 and click “Navigate with onX”. (If you need to get to the start of the route, onX will provide turn by turn directions to the start of the route).
A Few Important Considerations
Offline Maps
With an Elite subscription, you can download offline map layers before your trip, so you can view map layer data even when there is no cell service on the route.
Have your route showing in the map, and from the bottom of the screen click Offline Maps -> New Map -> select the area and Save it. You may need to do this in portions, and be sure and do it just before you leave for each trip.
Track Colors
onX Offroad natively imports all tracks as a cyan color. We recommend you change the track colors to match our GPS tracks, or choose colors that you like best.
It’s important to differentiate each type of track with different colors for main sections, optional harder tracks, extensions, and bypasses.
The default BDR track colors are blue/dark blue for main sections, red for ALT Harder or ALT Expert tracks, and green for extensions and bypasses.
onX Supports the Release of the Upcoming Montana BDR
onX Offroad has proven its value in the field, supporting BDR team members during the 950-mile Montana BDR filming expedition, where riders used the app for accurate and reliable navigation.
BDR’s 15th main route, the MTBDR, will launch in February 2026 with a premiere in Bozeman, MT, followed by a nationwide film tour. onX has also been an important tool during filming for the upcoming Ozarks BDR-X, Adirondacks BDR-X, and Lost Coast BDR-X.
This collaboration underscores BDR’s commitment to equipping riders with trusted tools and resources so they can confidently explore remote backcountry roads, connect with local communities, and fully embrace the adventure motorcycle lifestyle.
For more information about the Montana BDR, click here.
About BDR
Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that creates off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel. The organization’s work includes promoting rider education and safety campaigns, driving economic relief to rural communities, and encouraging responsible motorcycle travel in the backcountry.
BDR delivers turn-key trip planning resources to the community including GPS tracks, digital maps, travel information, route condition updates, YouTube videos, Q&As, and other information – all available 24/7 on www.RideBDR.com.
Since 2010, BDR has created routes in Washington, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, the Mid-Atlantic region, Southern California, the North East region, Wyoming, Oregon, Northern California, the South East, and soon in Montana. In 2022 BDR introduced a new concept of shorter, BDR-style routes that loop, called BDR-X. Current BDR-X routes include Red Desert, Wyoming; PA Wilds, Pennsylvania ; Steens Mountain & Alvord Desert, Oregon; Black Hills, South Dakota, Chattahoochee, Georgia; and Big Bend, Texas, and soon the Texas Hill Country.
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