Pets and Pack Animals
Each year, more and more individuals set out to ride along the Continental Divide Trail. From taking on the whole 3,100 miles from border to border, to riding multi-day sections, to exploring the trail on day rides, you’ll experience stunning scenery, diverse ecosystems, welcoming communities, and self-discovery.
Traveling the CDT landscape with animal companions requires special attention and planning. Please follow Leave No Trace principles, regulations, and etiquette to help maintain a positive trail experience for all.
Canine Considerations
Considering a long walk on the CDT with your canine companion? Follow these guidelines, take extra care in planning, and learn more before you go about a successful CDT hike with a dog.
There are numerous Facebook groups and hikers who have made successful treks with dogs on the CDT. Check out this blog post for some additional tips and ideas.
- Water carries. Be prepared to carry double the water on sections of the trail that you wish you were as light as possible. CDTC will cache water for people and animals, and a separate fee is required. More info
- Dogs (non-service) are not allowed on the CDTC shuttle. More info
- Be prepared for animal encounters. It is the dog owners’ responsibility to prevent them from chasing wildlife and cows.
- Courtesy around others: Not all hikers are dog fans, and not all establishments are dog-friendly. Research ahead of time if your town accommodations are pet-friendly.
- Food storage: Dog food is food, and it must be stored in a bear-safe manner.
- Be prepared to navigate difficult sections of the trail while providing assistance to the animal, carrying it or its gear across water, etc.
- Snow travel requires extra attention for hikers, and additionally for dogs. Be prepared to adapt to the conditions and have the resources to take alternate routes when needed.
Navigating the Desert the Southern Terminus and Lordsburg by Horse
Please keep the following points in mind while traveling along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave no Trace principles when traveling on and utilizing public lands. The trail can be very faint during some sections. Please do your best to stay on the main route to reduce the impact to this delicate desert ecosystem. Also, please do not deface or remove any CDT signage so that others can safely navigate the trail. Please keep in mind that this is an extremely rough and rugged section of the trail. Always come prepared and only hike within your abilities.
Camping
Always camp at least 300 yards away from any water source; including livestock tanks and wildlife waters. This helps ensure the animals that use these precious water sources will not be scared off.
Gate/Fence Crossings
The BLM Las Cruces District Office is currently working to identify and install proper pass-through gates for both hikers and equestrian riders along the southernmost section of the CDT. Until this is complete, hikers will need to be careful when navigating fence crossings where there are no pass-through gates. Because of the lack of proper fence crossings, the trail is not currently fully passable on horseback without significant re-route. Please never cut any fences and always ensure to close any gates behind you. If you see any cut or damaged fence line please report to the Las Cruces District Office at 575-525-4300.
Water Caches
There are five water caches located every 15-19 miles between Lordsburg and the Southern Terminus. Please make sure that you carry enough water to safely make it to the next water cache and DO NOT utilize Livestock waters as they are not always reliable and contain non-potable water.
Equestrian Riders
Please ensure that you are operating in accordance with the New Mexico Livestock Board’s Equine Movement and Shipping requirements. Information about these can be found on their website at https://www.nmlbonline.com/.
Safety
The CDT is a world-class destination for year-round recreation, enjoying it comes with the inherent risks of the backcountry. We want to remind all trail users that you are responsible for your own safety, and your knowledge and equipment are your own first line of defense in an emergency situation. In the case of an emergency on the Continental Divide Trail, always call 911 or a local emergency number before reporting the incident to CDTC.
Follow CDTC’s Closures & Alerts page for up-to-date information on fires, trail closures, and other important information.
This form can be completed electronically and e-mailed as an attachment to [email protected], or printed, completed, and then mailed to: Incidents, CDTC, 710 10th St., Ste. 200, Golden, CO 80401.
