Closures and Alerts
CDTC posts up-to-date information as received regarding closures, restrictions, and other notices along the official route of the CDT here. Alerts are also posted to the r/CDT Reddit. If you have any information regarding new incidents, please let us know at [email protected].
Current Alerts and Closures
CDTC is committed to providing information concerning the Continental Divide Trail and pass updates to trail users from land management agencies. CDTC does not have governing authority or jurisdiction over lands adjacent to the CDT.
If you are in an emergency, call 911. If you witness or are involved a threatening or violent act, contact local law enforcement.
Warden Gulch Road & Morgan Gulch Trail Closure | White River National Forest | CDT Mile 1275-1279.5 | 6/26/26
The White River National Forest has closed Warden Gulch Road #265 and Morgan Gulch Trail #9144 to all public access through July 31 for road and trail maintenance. The closure affects approximately 4.5 miles of the CDT (miles 1275-1279.5) near Keystone, CO.
A CDT detour is in place around the closure area. The detour is marked in blue on the map below, and the closed section is shown in red. The detour adds a few miles to this section, so hikers should plan extra time and mileage. Follow the marked detour and respect the closure for your safety and the safety of work crews.
For questions, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 970-468-5400.
Click to view interactive map.
Bear Fire | Gila National Forest | Mile 385 | Updated 6/12/26
Update 6/12/26:
The Gila National Forest has closed a portion of the forest, approximately 15 miles southwest of Pie Town, NM, due to the Bear fire. The closure includes the area just east of the CDT and Mangas road. While the CDT remains open, smoke and firefighting activities may be present. Hikers should use caution if traveling in this area and avoid the “Pie Town alternate” found in Farout guides. The Pie Town alternate goes directly through the fire and closure area.
We will post updates of any changes here as we receive them.
Click to view interactive map.
Gold Hill Trail Construction & Detour | White River National Forest | CDT Mile 1239-1240.5 | 6/3/26
Machine-work on the lower Gold Hill segment of the CT/CDT is set to begin on Monday June 22nd that will close 1.5 miles of the CDT until approximately July 22nd.
During the closure a short detour will be in place. The detour will clearly be marked on the ground and is roughly 1.67 miles long.
Detour is in blue. The black line indicates the portion of the CDT that is closed.
Two Medicine Campground Construction | Glacier National Park | CDT Mile 2950 | 5/22/26
A large construction project in the Two Medicine area within Glacier National Park, will affect the following:
- Two Medicine Campground: Closed for the entire 2026 season.
- Two Medicine Road: Will close September 9th.
- Two Medicine Ranger Station: Remains open May 25th-September 9th, 7:30a-5pm. The last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
- Two Medicine Campstore: Remains open May 29th – September 7th.
- Two Medicine (TWC) Wilderness Campground: A temporary wilderness campground has been established along the CDT near the Mt Henry trailhead (CDT mile 2949). A wilderness permit is required to utilize this site. Opens June 1st.
- A small portion of the CDT will close to the east side of Pray Lake. A reroute has been established that requires a ford between Pray Lake and Two Medicine Lake.
CDT Closed Until Further Notice Due to Bear Encounter | Yellowstone NP | CDT Miles 2033-2039
On the afternoon of May 4, two hikers sustained injuries by one or more bears on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. The National Park Service has issued temporary closures pending completion of their investigation. The Summit Lake Trail, which carries the CDT, is closed within the affected area.
No reroute information is available at this time. Hikers should plan to avoid the closure area entirely until the National Park Service lifts the closure.
Stay safe in bear country:
- Stay 100 yards away from bears at all times
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Be alert; watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites
- Make noise on the trail
- Hike in groups of three or more people
- Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night, when grizzlies are most active
- Do not run from a bear
- Learn more about bear safety on the CDT here.
View the closure area on the CDT Interactive Map.
For full details and a closure map, see the official NPS press release.
Heart Lake Bear Management Area | Yellowstone National Park | 1988.5- 2006 | Closed for annual bear management, April 1st - June 30th
The CDT is closed for annual bear management within the Heart Lake Bear Management area which includes CDT miles 1988.5- 2006. The closure is in place until July 1st.
For more information please visit nps.gov/yell
Biscuit Basin Reroute | Yellowstone NP | Mile 2033.5-2034 - Updated 7/7/25
On Tuesday, July 23, at about 10:19 a.m., a localized hydrothermal explosion occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful.
- Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are closed for the 2025 season. The Grand Loop Road remains open.
- The Park Service is recommending hikers utilize the Upper Geyser Basin (UGB) Biscuit Basin Trail as a reroute option as shown below in blue.
Bridge Out - Diamond Park Detour | Routt National Forest | Mile 1516.5-1518 | Updated 10/17/25
The footbridge across North Fork Elk Creek is out in the Routt National Forest. The USFS is recommending a short 1.5 mile detour to the west following Stiletto Rd and the Main Fork Trail.
Northbound
- Take Stiletto Rd west from the CDT crossing of Stiletto Rd (mile 1516.5)
- Continue north on Stiletto Rd until you reach the Diamond Park North Trailhead
- Take the Main Fork Trail north until you meet back with the CDT at mile 1518
Southbound
- Exit the CDT at the Main Fork Trail junction at mile 1518
- Continue south on the Main Fork Trail until you reach the Diamond Park North Trailhead
- Take Stiletto Rd south until you reach the CDT crossing of Stiletto Rd (mile 1516.5)
Southern Terminus Restricted Access | Mile 0.0 - 1.1 | Updated 3/18/26
Access to the CDT Southern Terminus is now restricted due to the establishment of the New Mexico National Defense Area (NDA) along the US-Mexico Border
Update: 3/18/26
Since the designation of the National Defense Area (NDA) at the southern terminus of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, CDTC has been working closely with the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, federal agencies, and elected officials to address and advocate for access to the CDT.
These efforts have resulted in the following updates regarding access to the CDT and its southern terminus:
- Anyone desiring access to the southernmost 1.1 miles of the CDT is required to obtain a free NDA pass. US citizens and non-US citizens are able to apply. Click here to apply.
- Non-US citizens may be issued a Temporary Visitors Pass, which requires an escort at all times while in the NDA.
- Any US citizen who has received an NDA access pass may serve as an escort to non-US citizens with a Temporary Visitor’s Pass. Escorts do not need to have additional Department of Defense clearance.
- The CDTC shuttle is now able to drive all riders with an NDA Access Pass, or Temporary Visitor’s Pass with appropriate escort, directly to the southern terminus monument. We will still stop at CDT mile 2.2 to drop off anyone without an NDA Pass or anyone who does not want to enter the NDA.
- The access roads to the southern terminus remain open at this time, however, this is a dynamic situation due to construction of the Southern Border Wall. Road closures are anticipated in the future as construction begins. We will communicate any road closures as they happen via our alerts page.
- Expect higher traffic including heavy construction vehicles along Commodore Road. Delays are possible. Hikers opting to walk Commodore Rd, instead of the CDT, should use caution.
- Applications generaly take 48 hours to process, but we recommend applying well in advance in case you experience delays. Once granted, a digital access badge or Termpory Visitor’s Pass will be emailed to you from the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca
I am an international hiker with a Temporary Visitor’s Pass. How do I find an NDA escort?
If you are taking the CDTC shuttle, you may pair with a US citizen with NDA clearance during shuttle check-in the morning of your ride.
CDTC Southern Terminus Shuttle
CDTC is still operating an on-demand shuttle and water caching service with drop/off pickups at the southern terminus monument and outside the NDA at CDT mile 2.2.
For shuttle information and booking please visit this page.
For more information please call 719-749-1234 or email [email protected]
Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions for lands the CDT passes through are listed roughly south-to-north by state.
| Location | State | CDT Mile | Type | Updated Date |
| Arapaho National Forest | Colorado | 1261-1342 | Stage 1 | 3/30/26 |
| White River National Forest | Colorado | 1201-1261 | Stage 1 | 6/19/26 |
| Pike Isabel National Forest | Colorado | 1069-1201 | Stage 1 | 6/16/26 |
| Carson National Forest | New Mexico | 692-794.5 | Stage 1 | 4/23/26 |
| Santa Fe National Forest | New Mexico | 647-696 | Stage 1 | 4/2/26 |
| Cibola National Forest | New Mexico | 539-584 | Stage 1 | 5/7/26 |
| Cibola National Forest | Mt. Taylor Dist. | 539-584.5 | Stage 2 | 6/18/26 |
| Gila National Forest | New Mexico | 98-403 | Stage 1 | 3/20/26 |
| New Mexico State Lands | New Mexico | Various locations throughout the entire state | Open Fire Restrictions | 4/6/26 |
Past Alerts
CDT has reopened Due to Bear Activity | Glacier National Park | Chief Mountain Route Miles 7.5-17.5 | Updated 6/9/26
The CDT has reopened in Glacier National Park, along the Chief Mountain route (miles 7.5-17.5), much earlier than anticipated. The trail was briefly closed due to an animal carcass in the area. Remember to practice bear safety and awareness at all times.
Monitor the Glacier National Park trail status page for all current trail conditions.
www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm
