Great Western Divide Side by Side Trail -- 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada

Riding the Great Western Divide Trail in Side-by-Sides: Mexico to Canada in 2 weeks

Embarking on the Great Western Divide Trail in a Side-by-Side (SxS) from the U.S.–Mexico border to Canada is nothing short of a high-octane adventure across the spine of the American West. This two-week, multi-state journey cuts through some of the most rugged and breathtaking terrain in North America, spanning five states—Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Starting at the southern edge near the border, Arizona delivers an immediate taste of raw desert beauty. Riders navigate through wide-open Sonoran landscapes, remote washes, and cactus-studded trails under expansive skies. The terrain quickly becomes more technical as the trail climbs toward the Mogollon Rim and the cooler pine forests of northern Arizona.

Crossing into Utah, the scenery shifts dramatically. Towering red rock formations, slickrock trails, and labyrinthine canyons define the ride through places like the Grand Staircase-Escalante and the high plateaus of central Utah. This section tests both machine and driver with its mixture of steep climbs and rocky descents.

Wyoming offers a blend of alpine wilderness and wide-ranging prairies. Riders traverse parts of the Wind River Range and the remote expanses of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Wildlife sightings become more frequent, and the sheer remoteness of the trail is both humbling and exhilarating.

In Idaho, the trail winds through the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains and the densely forested backcountry. High mountain passes and river crossings keep the ride technical, while the crisp alpine air and pristine lakes provide a refreshing contrast to the arid south.

Finally, Montana brings it home with grand vistas and sprawling wilderness as the trail climbs toward the Canadian border. Big Sky Country lives up to its name with expansive valleys, towering peaks, and rugged ridgelines. The final push includes remote forest service roads, switchbacks, and breathtaking views that serve as the ultimate reward for the journey.

Covering over 2,600 miles in just 14 days, this epic trek demands endurance, mechanical reliability, and a deep respect for the land. With early sunrises, long trail days, and nights spent under the stars, riding the Great Western Divide Trail in a SxS is more than a trip—it's a wild, unforgettable expedition through the heart of the American frontier.

The Legend of the Great Western Divide Trail:

Long ago, before maps were etched and borders were drawn, there was a trail whispered about in campfires and taverns—a wild ribbon of dirt and dust that wound its way from the burning deserts of the south to the snow-capped peaks of the north. They called it the Great Western Divide Trail, and though it was never marked, it was always there—carved by hooves, wheels, dreams, and sometimes, blood.

It all began with settlers, brave and stubborn souls who set out from the east with nothing but wagons, grit, and a promise of land. They followed old game paths and native trade routes, pushing through the cactus lands of what is now Arizona. They battled the elements, snakes, and bandits, forging a trail where none had dared linger long. As their wagons creaked over red rock canyons and high plateaus, a legend began to grow—a path to a better life.

Then came the cowboys, chasing longhorns and the horizon. They claimed the trail as their own, using it to drive cattle northward through the vast rangelands of Utah and Wyoming. At night, they'd gather around campfires, boots off and hats tipped low, telling tall tales of ghost riders and thunder spirits that haunted the high passes. Some said the trail was alive—that it shifted, choosing who would pass and who would vanish into the dust.

But not all who rode the trail came with good hearts.

The robbers came next—masked men with fast horses and quicker hands. They hid in the canyons and ridgelines, waiting to ambush gold wagons and stagecoaches. The trail became their kingdom, a place where law wore thin and greed ran thick. Some say there’s still stolen gold buried deep along the trail, guarded by the ghosts of those who never made it to the border.

Then came the miners, lured by whispers of gold in Idaho’s rivers and silver veins in Montana’s mountains. With pickaxes and dynamite, they carved paths into the hills, unknowingly extending the ancient trail northward. They braved avalanches and outlaws, their eyes gleaming with the hope of riches. Entire towns rose and fell along the trail—boomtowns that lit up the night and disappeared by dawn.

Over time, the Great Western Divide Trail faded into legend, a forgotten path remembered only by rusted signs, overgrown tracks, and stories passed from grandfather to grandson. But some say the trail never truly disappeared—it was only waiting.

And now, it has awakened.

Today, the trail calls to a new breed of adventurer: the riders of Side-by-Sides, who roar across the landscape with engines in place of horses and GPS in place of stars. They follow the whispers of the past through Arizona’s deserts, Utah’s cliffs, Wyoming’s high plains, Idaho’s wilds, and Montana’s peaks—all the way to the Canadian border.

But if you ride it, ride it with respect—for the spirits of settlers, cowboys, robbers, and miners still watch from the shadows, guarding the greatest trail ever carved by man, legend, and time.

And so the tale continues...

Navigation Made Easy

We have made navigation easy for riders by developing a custom GPS chip to simply install into your Garmin or BMW GPS unit. We have also made matching paper ride maps that you can carry directly with you for quick reference and collaboration with your friends.

Items to be solved before signup begins:

How do riders get there Side by Sides to the Start of the ride? (Shipping company and location for drop off and storage)

How do riders get there SxS home from the ride?  (Shipping company and location for drop off and storage)

What are the transportation options for the riders?  (Flight's into Yuma, home from Glacier Park International Airport)

What support Vehicle will we provide?

Route Choices:  

Don't put yourself in a bad spot.  gpsKevin route maps always include route options.  We recognize that weather and conditions can change.  We design these adventures with multiple routes in different colors.  The main adventure route is colored Blue, then there are easier and harder options, Green and Red, respectively.  This allows riders to choose their own level of adventure appropriate for their own skill and desires.  We don't want to put you into a challenging spot without options; we let you make the choice.

Ride Yodas

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video) 

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple,: great riding.  So you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition, the ride is about:  discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the world.

Thanks

gpsKevin

FAQ's

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin GPS?

A: Buy one, you need it, we will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for under $200 bucks. ( See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but almost everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend or me.