The Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) network was created for ADV motorcycles, but it’s also one of the best tools for Jeep and 4×4 expedition planning. With more than a dozen official cross-state routes, many of them are already perfect for rigs—stock or built.
We’ve combed through them and picked the seven best BDRs for Jeep and 4×4 overlanding, based on terrain, vehicle access, and camping opportunities.
1. Mid-Atlantic BDR (MABDR)
States: VA, WV, MD, PA
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Mostly forest service roads and gravel tracks. Nothing too narrow, and plenty of camping along the way.
- Highlights: George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Civil War history, Appalachian mountain towns.
- Best For: Multi-day East Coast overland expeditions with easy resupply.
2. Colorado BDR (COBDR)
State: CO
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Colorado already has legendary 4×4 passes—Imogene, Ophir, Cumberland—and the COBDR strings them together.
- Highlights: Alpine lakes, ghost towns, 12,000-foot passes.
- Best For: Experienced drivers with rigs prepped for altitude, storms, and steep grades.
3. Utah BDR (UTBDR)
State: UT
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Connects Moab-style slickrock with desert tracks, canyons, and remote plateaus. 90% Jeep-safe, with bypasses for the toughest sections.
- Highlights: Canyonlands, the Henry Mountains, Valley of the Gods.
- Best For: Desert overlanding and iconic red rock scenery.
4. Arizona BDR (AZBDR)
State: AZ
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Wide variety of terrain—Sonoran desert, Mogollon Rim forests, and high-elevation volcanic fields near Flagstaff.
- Highlights: Saguaros to pines in a single route, Sedona red rock country.
- Best For: Year-round Jeep expeditions (except high snow season).
5. New Mexico BDR (NMBDR)
State: NM
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Remote two-track, high desert plateaus, and sprawling national forests. Long stretches are tailor-made for 4x4s.
- Highlights: Gila National Forest, high desert mesas, ancient ruins.
- Best For: Long, off-grid Jeep expeditions with true solitude.
6. Oregon BDR (ORBDR)
State: OR
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Mix of volcanic landscapes, pine forest tracks, and desert crossings. Designed with long-range travel in mind, which fits 4×4 rigs well.
- Highlights: Steens Mountain, volcanic buttes, deep pine forests.
- Best For: Jeep trips with variety—snow, sand, and forest trails in one journey.
7. Idaho BDR (IDBDR)
State: ID
- Why It’s Jeep-Friendly: Rugged, remote, and wild. Idaho’s vast forests and mountain roads are prime Jeep territory. Some sections are demanding, but bypasses exist.
- Highlights: Lolo Motorway, Salmon River, Bitterroot Mountains.
- Best For: Expedition-level overlanding—bring recovery gear and a reliable convoy.
Pro Tips for Using BDRs with Your 4×4
- Check GPX updates before you leave—closures and reroutes happen often.
- Watch the “Expert” sections—on motorcycles, this usually means technical terrain too narrow for 4x4s. BDR provides bypasses.
- Fuel range matters—if it’s a stretch for a bike, it’s still a stretch for a Jeep. Bring extra gas if you’re running a thirsty rig.
- Camping is plentiful—most BDRs run through national forests with dispersed camping access.
- Trail Etiquette – yield and make room for the bikes to pass if they’re moving on faster than you.
Final Thoughts
BDR is one of the best overlanding resources in the U.S.—and not just for bikes. With full size, overlanding rig-friendly tracks like the MABDR, COBDR, UTBDR, and AZBDR, you can plan multi-day or even multi-week expeditions with confidence.
These routes aren’t just trips. They’re full-blown adventures, built for rigs that are ready to stretch their legs.
Tread Lightly and Gladiator Up! – Doug