The UTBDR is best from August-October depending on early snow storms and weather.  The route can be done in May and June, but snowpack in the high mtns may keep you from doing the entire route as mapped.

April and May are great times to do the southern portion and should be clear of snow, however most years the Abjos and the LaSal Mtns will still have snow on northern exposures. So plan the route when you can go and if there is snow up high, just go around the mountains. We’ve done the route many times that time of year and in every case it was early June on low snow years before we could go over Abjos. If there are late snow storms all bets are off.

For the most part all of BDR routes are doable by 4×4’s with adequate tires and clearance. The roads are all public roads and do require a street legal vehicle.  One thing to keep in mind – the routes conditions can change dramatically due to rain and flash floods which cause the roads to become difficult or impassable.

The UTBDR probably will be the most challenging route in a 4×4 if you take the expert sections. Lockhart Basin is the hardest section of all the BDR’s.

Yes, pass Current Creek the campgrounds do close early because of the high elevation.  Once you get over to hwy 150 you might find a few campgrounds open if you go left (west) towards Kamas.  They are at lower elevations and will be a lot warmer. The reason the others close early, the hwy 150 is closed during the winter months.  Once you get over Bald Mtn Pass and turn onto the dirt road FS 032, you will find all kinds of great camping spots, but no campgrounds.  Once you get to Evanston Wyo, you won’t find any campsites until you are up on Curtis Creek Road.  There are plenty of campsites, but no campgrounds.  We’ve camped at both of these areas and never felt uncomfortable, but that’s a personal decision.

The Utah Backcountry Discovery Route (UTBDR) is mostly off-road route from Arizona to Idaho.  The South to North route winds through the red soils of southern Utah to the northern high mountains to the north. The route includes dirt, gravel, and pavement surfaces and may include rocks, ruts, sand, mud and snow depending on time of year and conditions. The route can be completed in 5-7 days depending on pace, and is also accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, as the entire route is at least double-track.

The longest gap between gas stations is approximately 165 miles from Wellington to Evanston, Wyo. This is if you stop at Soldier Summit for gas, if not the distance is 239 miles.

No, you can complete the UTBDR using motels and restaurants fairly easily.

There are many campgrounds and suitable dry camping locations along the route. The Butler Motorcycle Map for the UTBDR has a tent icon showing campgrounds on the route and many near the route. The UTBDR Butler Map is available at www.touratech-usa.com or www.butlermaps.com.

Any GPS unit capable of displaying 10 track logs with a minimum of 500 points each is suitable for use on the UTBDR. Garmin models that work best for this application are: Zumo 665/660, Montana, GPSMap 60, 62, 76, 78 and 276. Other GPS manufacturers may have units that will work. Check the technical specs to determine suitability.

Any bike that has a license plate, can run knobby tires and is set-up to carry the gear you plan to bring, and has the fuel range to make the distance between gas stops. Most adventure or dual sport motorcycles will be suitable for the trip.  Choose the bike that you are the most comfortable riding in desert and mountain terrain.

The UTBDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as driven in 4×4 vehicles. There are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach high elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent. You can expect to cover sections of road with deep ruts, loose rocks, sand and other challenges. There are also sections that have deep sand for extended periods of time. Road conditions change from week to week based on the recent weather.  When you see signs that read, “Roads maybe impassable when wet”, use caution, roads become very slick and can be impassable. You may also encounter sections that have trees or branches over the road. There are alternate “easier” routes around a few of the most challenging sections. Depending on time of year and weather, there may be a few small shallow water crossings, but none worth worrying about. Flash floods are frequent during summer storms.  Don’t cross flooded washes. Wait until water subsides.

DOT approved knobby tires are strongly recommended. Our team members used either Continental TKC 80, Mefo Super Explorer or Dunlop 606 tires when we rode the route.

Lockhart Basin is a very difficult alternate section to the UTBDR.  It’s labeled “Expert Only” to make riders aware of the risks when taking this route.  An average rider can ride this route, but is NOT advised to do so alone.  Bikes should be fully protected with good aftermarket protection like, skidplates, exhaust guards, hand guards, brake resivour guards, etc.  These can be found at www.touratech-usa.com or other retailers.  Lockhart is seldom traveled by others, so be prepared for breakdowns or overnight stay.  The mileage from the Needles Outpost to Moab is not far, but will take the majority of the day.  Carry as much water as you can carry, there are no water sources along this route.  We recommend this section be done with a group of riders.

Most people average 150 miles a day on a backcountry motorcycle trip. Plan on doing this route in 5-7 days depending on how fast you want to travel and how early you want to roll out of camp.

Much of this route is remote and out of reach for cell phone towers. There will be long sections with no coverage. Your best bet to talk or text is in the towns or on top of mountains. You will be surprised where you get coverage and where you don’t. A satellite communication device is a good idea in the backcountry.

Nevada has fast moving thunder storms during the summer months.  These storms usually build in the mountains in the early afternoon and usually contain lightning, hail stones and heavy downpours. These storms can contain heavy winds with blinding dust storms.

The highest elevations are reached in section 5 where Bald Mtn Pass reaches 10,700 feet. The route starts near 5000 ft and travels to over 10,000 ft six times along the route.

There are several sections where the road is a clay surface.  When wet these sections become very slick and virtually impassable.  When you encounter wet clay roads, a higher gear selection is recommended to keep your rear wheel from sliding.  Slow and steady will get you through, but in some cases travel will come to a halt due to slick conditions.

This is a tough question to answer because conditions are constantly changing.  If the weather or temps have been cool, the sand will be firmer and significantly easier to ride.  If it’s been hot for some time, the sand becomes very soft and deep.  So the bottom line is, learn to ride in  deep sand before you come which will make your ride more enjoyable.

Yes the route can be done North to South.  However, it was laid out South to North so a few of the sections are harder going North to South.  For example, leaving Moab going over LaSal Pass is difficult going North to South. You may take the alternate route around LaSal pass. Lockhart Basin is also more difficult going North to South.

We get this question all the time. Here are some key things to consider as you put together your plan.

All of the BDR routes include intermediate to advanced terrain. If a person is on a large bike twin-cylinder bike like an R1200GS Adventure or Yamaha Super Tenere, the routes can be very difficult. If a person’s skills are not advanced level, they may consider taking a smaller bike or choosing the easier options when possible. A BDR is something a person should build up to and it shouldn’t be their first overnight trip on their ADV bike.

Although, WA and CO are less difficult than UT and AZ,  they all contain difficult sections. We suggest looking at the Butler Map and take the optional easier routes to avoid the difficult sections. Even taking this approach there may be difficult stretches depending on changes in road conditions, weather, construction and the unknown. This is part of what makes it an adventure. Regardless of its description on the map or in the film, no section of a BDR should be underestimated.

Do some shorter overnight trips as practice and ride increasingly difficult terrain to build up your skills and confidence. Also remember that riding with a fully-loaded bike should be practiced prior to tackling a BDR. Lastly, always ride with a group so that you have a team to help overcome any obstacles whether it’s terrain, mechanicals, navigation, medical emergency, etc…

In summary, take baby steps and work up to doing a BDR. Don’t make it your first adventure motorcycle outing on a full-sized twin-cyclinder bike.

This advice comes from Rob Watt, BDR Board and Expeditions Member, and Wilderness EMT.

We carry items for wound management, breaks, basic meds and dental.  You can buy a good first aid kit at one of the outdoor stores online or Touratech-USA.  Get one that is an Extended Day Backpacker or 3-4 person kit.  These kits usually have the basics for a motorcycle trip.

They usually don’t have a SAM splint, so pick one of those up along with a couple ace bandages.  One other thing that we do for every multi-day trip, is to gather important information about each rider: allergies, medications, medical issues, emergency contacts, etc.

Then we put that on a master sheet for each person, so if something does happen we have that information handy incase that person can’t speak.  Another good practice is to do a little research of where medical facilities are along your planned route.  Is there a “flight for life” in the area? Where are the hospitals, Medical clinics, etc?

Here is a list of some items that you should have in your medical kit:

• Bandages: Assorted sizes for small cuts, blisters, etc.
• 4-inch closure strips or butterfly closures: For closing large wounds. 4-inch strips are more effective than butterfly.
• 4 inch by 4 inch sterile dressing pads (5 to 10): To apply pressure to a wound and stop bleeding
• Non-adherent sterile dressing (2 inch by 2 inch): Use these or Second Skin to cover blisters, burns or lacerations.
• Gauze roll: Holds dressing in place.
• Small roll of 1-inch adhesive tape: Holds dressings in place.
• Multi-use tool or knife: Should include knife, scissors. A scalpel and blade are also useful for first aid.
• Forceps or tweezers: For removing splinters, ticks, and removing debris from wounds.
• Scissors: Trauma scissors, which have a blunt end to protect the patient, can be used for cutting away clothing from injury, cutting medical tape, etc.
• Thermometer: Digital is generally more accurate, but batteries do wear out.
• Malleable splint: Lightweight foam-covered aluminum, such as a SAM splint.
• Irrigation syringe (35 cc): Used to flush and clean wounds.
• Suction syringe (65 cc): Used to clear mouth of fluids when giving CPR.
• Safety pins: Can help remove splinters, fasten arm sling, or make a whole in a plastic bag for improvised wound irrigation.
• Cotton-tip swabs: For removing  foreign objects from eye, or applying antibiotic ointment.
• Resealable plastic bags: Many uses, including icing a swollen joint or creating wound irrigation device.
• ACE, Coban, or other rubberized bandage: Can be used as outer wrap on splints, wound dressings or support for joint injuries. Be careful not to wrap too tightly.
• Antiseptic towlettes: For cleaning small wounds.
• Cleansing pads with lidocaine: For cleaning. Includes a topical anesthetic for abrasions, stings, etc.
• Topical antibiotic ointment: For application to wounds. Simple Vaseline can also be used in dressing a wound.
• Moleskin: Prevents blisters. Cut and apply a section to your foot as soon as you discover a “hot spot.” Duct tape also works for this purpose.
• Povidone Iodine USP 10 percent, 1 oz.: For preventing infection. Bottled PVD iodine 10 percent solution should be diluted to a ratio of 1 percent or less for flushing wounds.
• Aloe vera gel: Found in packets or small bottles for relief of minor burns.
• Pain relievers, including aspirin and Ibuprofen: Provides relief for minor aches and pains, reduces fever, helps reduce inflammation of sprains and other injuries.
• Antihistamines: For relief of pollen allergies, or to reduce reaction to bites and stings.
• Immodium 2 mg capsules or tablets: For relief of diarrhea from intestinal infections.
• Pepto Bismol or antiacid tablets: For relief from general diarrhea, abdominal upset.
• After Bite or hydrocortisone cream USP 1 percent: Relieves skin irritation from bites, poison oak, stings, or allergic reactions.
• Latex or nitrile gloves: Protects against blood-borne diseases and infection.
• CPR microshield mask: A compact flexible barrier with a one-way valve for rescue breathing, which protects user from blood, vomit or saliva.
• Oral rehydration salts: Packet of electrolyte salts and glucose for treatment of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or loss of fluids from vomiting or diarrhea.
• Space bag/blanket: Lightweight emergency shelter. For treating hypothermia victims.
• Paper and pencil: For recording medical data such as body temperature, pulse, time and date of symptoms, injuries, medicines administered, etc. Most repackaged kits include accident report forms.
• Wilderness First Aid booklet: Many prepackaged first aid kits contain one. An excellent pocket guide is the Wilderness Medical Handbook