Beginner Bikepacking Route Planning Guide

Your first bikepacking route does not need to be a 200-mile epic across a mountain range. In fact, it should not be. The best first trip is short enough that bailing out is easy, varied enough to test your gear, and scenic enough to remind you why you are doing this in the first place.

Here is how to plan a route that sets you up for a good experience rather than a survival story.

Start With Distance and Terrain You Know You Can Handle

A loaded bikepacking rig rides differently than your normal bike.

The extra 10 to 25 pounds of gear shifts your center of gravity, slows your acceleration, and makes climbing harder. Plan for significantly less daily mileage than you would ride unloaded.

• First overnighter: 25 to 40 miles total, split across two days. This gives you short riding days with plenty of time to set up camp, cook, and troubleshoot gear issues.
• First multi-day: 30 to 50 miles per day on paved roads or smooth gravel.

On rough singletrack, cut that to 15 to 25 miles.

Err on the side of too easy. You can always extend a ride if you feel good, but you cannot shorten a route if you have already committed to a remote section with no bailout.

Tools for Route Planning

Several free and paid tools make route planning much easier than staring at a paper map.

• Ride with GPS (free tier + $80/year premium): The most popular tool among bikepackers.

The route planner lets you draw lines on a map and automatically snaps to roads and trails. The elevation profile shows you every climb. Premium adds offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation on your phone or GPS unit.

Good integration with Garmin and Wahoo bike computers.

Satellite view helps you spot potential problems like washed-out roads, river crossings, or sections that might be impassable.

Planning Water and Resupply

On a regular day ride, you stop at a gas station or carry enough water for a few hours. Bikepacking adds the complication of needing water sources and food resupply at predictable intervals.

• Water: Carry at least 2 liters of capacity on the bike (two bottles or a bladder). Plan to refill every 20 to 30 miles at minimum. Mark water sources on your route: towns, campgrounds with spigots, reliable creeks and rivers. Carry a filter (Sawyer Squeeze, $30, 3 oz) for backcountry water sources.
• Food: If your route passes through small towns, plan to resupply at convenience stores or gas stations. Rural gas stations often have surprisingly decent food options for cyclists: burritos, sandwiches, fruit, trail mix. If you are going fully remote, pack calorie-dense food: 2,500 to 4,000 calories per day depending on effort and conditions.
• Bailout points: Identify spots along the route where you can access a paved road, call a ride, or reach a town if something goes wrong. Space these every 15 to 20 miles on your first trip.

Campsite Selection

Where you sleep depends on the route and local regulations.

• Established campgrounds: The easiest option. Many have water, toilets, and flat tent sites. Reserve ahead during peak season. State and county parks often have sites for $10 to $25 per night.
• Dispersed camping on public land: National Forest and BLM land generally allows camping anywhere unless posted otherwise. The rule of thumb is camp at least 200 feet from water sources and trails. Check local regulations, as some areas require permits or have seasonal closures.
• Warm Showers and cycling-friendly hosts: The Warm Showers app connects touring cyclists with volunteer hosts who offer a place to sleep, a shower, and sometimes a meal. Free, but bring a small gift or offer to cook dinner.

Checking Conditions Before You Go

• Weather: Check a 5-day forecast for the area. Afternoon thunderstorms, high winds, and temperature swings change your packing list and your timeline.
• Road and trail conditions: Call the local ranger station or check online trail condition reports. Spring snow, washed-out bridges, and seasonal road closures can turn a planned route into a dead end.
• Fire restrictions: In western states during summer, campfire restrictions may be in effect. Check before you pack a stove that relies on a ground fire for cooking.
• Cell coverage: Download offline maps before you leave. Relying on cell service for navigation in remote areas is asking for trouble.

Plan the route, share it with someone who is not going (drop a GPS track or itinerary with a friend), and then go ride it. Your first trip will teach you more about your gear, your fitness, and your preferences than any amount of research. The goal is to come back wanting to plan the next one.