CDTC posts up-to-date information as available regarding closures, restrictions, and other notices along the official route of the CDT here. Alerts are also posted to the @CDTalerts Twitter account and on Reddit. If you have any information regarding new incidents, please let us know at info@continentaldividetrail.org.
For information about fire activity, please refer to Inciweb for a national list of currently active fires and to the local land manager for other trail closures and restrictions.
Please note that road names given in suggested reroutes may not match road names in Google Maps and other mapping applications based on OpenStreetMap.
Current fire bans and restrictions
This page represents up-to-date information impacting travel on the CDT regularly updated by the CDTC staff. Click on the (!) points within the map for detailed information.
Black Feather Fire – CDT has reopened!
Santa Fe National Forest
Wildfire | Mile 649 – 677 | FarOut Mile 634.5 – 660.4
Updated 8/22 – 3:56pm MST
The CDT is now completely open in the Santa Fe National Forest; however, the Black Feather Fire is still active and a closure is still in place directly to the east of the CDT in this area. Hikers should proceed cautiously if traveling in this area and expect to see smoke and firefighting activities.
The CDT has been closed from mile 649 through mile 677 due to the Black Feather Fire. Users should avoid the area and consider alternate routes.
Firefighters are responding to a wildfire about 44 miles northwest of Santa Fe in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness of the Coyote Ranger District. The Black Feather Fire is estimated at 2,200 acres. The lightning-caused fire started Saturday, Aug. 5, and is being managed with a full suppression response.
Click here for more information.
Dolan Fire – Trail Reroute
Gila National Forest
Wildfire | Mile 276 – 279 | FarOut Mile 269.4 – 272.6
Updated 8/18 – 1:40pm MST
Fire crews are working on a new wildfire called the Dolan Fire on the Black Range Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. The fire was reported on July 30 near the Dolan Peak area in Catron County. It is estimated at 2100 acres. The Dolan Fire is approximately 1 ½ miles to the west of the CDT. The CDT has been rerouted in this area as shown in the map found by following the link below.
Please click here for more information.
Davis Fire
Gila National Forest
Wildfire | Mile 341 – 353 | FarOut Mile 332.7 – 344.7
Updated 8/11 – 12:43 pm MST
The Davis Fire ignited by lighting near the Continental Divide Trail on the afternoon of July 15. Minimal growth is expected. The fire has transitioned back to the local unit.
More information will be released as it becomes available. Check for additional information and updates at NMFireinfo.com or contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1123081
Trail Closure – Dam Construction
Arapaho National Forest
Dam Construction | Trail Reroute | Mile 1354 – 1356 | FarOut Mile 1326.6 – 1328.1
Construction work at the dam on Monarch Lake will result in a temporary closure in the area from Sept. 21 through Sept. 28. The closure will include the Monarch Lake trailhead parking area and portions of Arapaho Pass Trail from the trailhead to the intersection with the High Lonesome Trail. Hikers may continue to use the Cascade Creek Trail and Arapaho Pass Spur to connect to other trails in the area. Hiking along the road is also permitted. Further information on the status of roads on the Sulphur Ranger District is available on the road status page.
Wildfire Smoke Highly Visible in San Juan Mountains
San Juan Mountains in Colorado south of Wolf Creek Pass
Approximately Mile 826.75 – 868.8 | FarOut Mile 806.2 – 846.9
Updated 9/8/2023 – 2:00pm
For people in the area of Wolf Creek Pass, Pagosa Springs, South Fork, and the South San Juan Wilderness in Colorado, the increased presence of smoke and visible smoke plumes in the area are attributed to the existing Quartz Ridge Fire and Bear Creek Fire. They have been burning since the first week of August and have become more active in the last few days. However, there are currently no closures along the CDT in relation to the fires. Other nearby trails are closed though so please visit the Forest Service’s website for more info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices/.
For more up to date information visit the San Juan National Forest Facebook page.
Trail Use Limited to Wilderness Permit Holders
Rocky Mountain National Park
Wildfire Restoration | Mile 1372 – 1396 | FarOut Mile 1343.7 – 1366.6
Updated 8/23 – 4:43 pm MST
Day use is prohibited along the CDT (mile 1372-1396), and the Tonahutu Creek cutoff, in Rocky Mountain National Park due to the East Troublesome Fire of 2021. The National Park Service is limiting use to only those that obtain a wilderness permit. Permits can be obtain online here. CDT users should select the “North Inlet” starting point when searching online for permits. Please note – hard-sided bear canisters are required with a wilderness permit. Canisters can be rented in Grand Lake, CO at Never Summer Mountain Products.
For more information click here or call the Kawuneeche Visitor Center at (970) 627-3471.
Trail Closure – Pitamakan Pass Trail
Glacier National Park
Bear Activity | Mile 2939 – 2946.5 | FarOut Mile 2887 – 2894.5 | Posted 8/27 10:11am MST
The NPS has issued a temporary closure of the CDT, with no timeframe for reopening, due to bear activity. They are recommending hikers take the Dawson Pass Trail at mile 2939, over Dawson Pass and reconnect to the CDT at Pitamakan Pass (mile 2946.5). This alternate is roughly 10 miles long and approximately 2.5 miles longer than the official CDT. The Oldman Lake wilderness campground along the Pitamakan Pass trail is also closed.
More information can be found at Glacier National Park’s trails page.
Trail Closure Lifted – Raynolds Pass Bear Activity
Beaverhead – Deerlodge National Forest
Bear Activity | Mile 2105 – 2111 | FarOut Mile 2063.2 – 2069.4 | Updated 8/28 4:13pm MST
The CDT has reopened in this area. Users should use extreme caution if traveling in this area and take all proper bear precautions.
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is issuing a temporary closure of the CDT, approximately 15 miles west of West Yellowstone, from Raynolds Pass (CDT mile 2105) to CDT mile 2111, due to bear activity. Signs will be posted at both ends of the closure. Users should avoid this area and consider alternate routes.
For more information please call the Madison Ranger District at 406-682-4253.
Trail Closure – Sidney Fire
Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
Wildfire | Mile 2897.5 – 2912.5 | FarOut Mile 2845.8 – 2860.9
Updated: 8/8/23 8:44am
The CDT has been closed from mile 2897.5 – 2912.5 due to the Sidney fire. Click here for the full fire closure order.
Reroute resources for CDT hikers affected by the Sidney Fire Closure in the Badger Two Medicine, south of Glacier Park, MT:
- Utilize the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation trails condition maps for information about which trails have been cleared. https://www.bmwf.org/trails
- If you plan to traverse tribal land, you will need a tribal permit. Visit Blackfeet Reservation website to purchase a permit: http://blackfeetfishandwildlife.net/online-license-sales/
Suggested reroute from the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest:
NOBO: From TR324, take 155 West at Gooseberry Park. Travel along the Middle Fort of the Flathead River 155 past Schafer Meadows to JCT with 154. Take TR154 to Morrison Cr. TH. Follow Skyland Road to HWY 2 and rejoin CDT- North at Summit Pass.
SOBO: From Summit Pass at HWY 2 leaving Glacier, travel S to Skyland Road. Take Syland Road to Morrison TH. Take TR 154 to JCT w/155. Take TR 155 along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River past Schafer Meadows and Gooseberry to JCT with 161/324. Take 324 S and rejoin the CDT.
Trail Reroute – South of MacDonald Pass
Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
Fuel Mitigation | Mile 2659 – 2667 | FarOut Mile 2610.9 – 2618.1
The Helena Ranger District is implementing a long-awaited fuel mitigation project during the summer of 2023. Almost five miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is impacted and there will be a reroute of the CDT for public safety and to ensure the work is completed in as expeditiously as possible. The work involves heavy equipment operation and hazardous tree removal directly adjacent to the CDT. This work will create a safer trail for the public and firefighters in the event of a wildland fire. The project is part of the Tenmile – South Helena Project; the record of decision was signed in 2018. The miles with the project area are CDNST Series 370 (MT-ID), section 20, miles 616.5 – 620. Please use this link for detailed reroute directions with maps.
MacDonald Pass Reroute DetailsFire Restrictions
Fire restrictions for lands the CDT passes through are listed roughly south-to-north by state. If you aren’t sure which national forest, park, or BLM unit you’ll be visiting on your CDT adventure, find out using the map above by clicking the section of trail you plan to visit. Please note that the definitions of “Stage 1” and “Stage 2” fire restrictions vary slightly by agency.
Santa Fe National Forest – West | Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions for SFNF lands west of the Rio Grande. All SFNF lands east of the Rio Grande will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions allowing for campfires and charcoal grilling ONLY in designated forest campgrounds and picnic areas.
Stage 2 fire restrictions PROHIBIT the following activities:
- Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, on a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of vegetation and flammable material.
- Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
- Operating any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, including chainsaws, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Driving off designated roads. Visitors may park in areas cleared of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, or in designated parking areas.
Visitors may use stoves, grills and lanterns with an on/off switch fueled by propane or other liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that meet manufacturer’s safety specifications.
Central Idaho | Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
The Central Idaho Fire Restrictions Area encompasses those portions of Custer County that are north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (excluding the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness) and that portion of Lemhi County that is not federal land designated as wilderness.
Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking. Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided fire structure (see definition).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Exceptions to the above Stage 1 prohibitions include the following:
- Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
- Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material. Persons using a stove fire (defined in the order)
