Continental Divide Trail Hikers Now Need U.S. Citizenship, Background Check to Access Southern Terminus

The first 1.1 miles of the CDT are now only available to US citizens who apply for permission to enter the National Defense Area.

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Soldiers deployed at the National Defense Area in New Mexico in May 2025 (Photo: Anadolu / Contributor via Getty)

New government restrictions now bar non-U.S. citizen hikers from the southern terminus and first 1.1 miles of the Continental Divide Trail and require citizens to undergo a background check and apply for a U.S. Army permit to visit it, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) announced today.

In April of this year, the White House established what it called the New Mexico National Defense Area, transferring 100,000 acres of land along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Army for three years. The land in question includes the southern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail as well as its first mile.

While it wasn’t clear whether or not hikers could still travel to the southern terminus of the trail this spring, a new system will allow at least some hikers to hike the official trail. Hikers must be U.S. citizens, and must undergo a background check and apply for a permit to access the area. While the application process is relatively straightforward, requiring a passport style photograph and Real ID,  those with felony backgrounds could be denied access. 

Danny Knoll, the trail information manager for the CDTC, told Backpacker that he had successfully gained clearance to head to the terminus. “The application itself takes maybe 10 minutes. And usually you hear back within a couple of days,” he explained. While most applicants have received a response within a few days of the application process, it could take as many as 21 days to receive the digital permit.

While Knoll hasn’t heard about any hikers struggling to gain access to the area so far, he also noted that it’s not a particularly busy time of the year at the southern terminus of the trail. Southbound hikers are more likely to arrive in the area in October or early November. So, it isn’t yet clear how challenging the final 1.1 miles will be for thru-hikers. 

When asked if the CDTC is concerned about what the new restrictions would mean to hikers, Knoll said, “I think our biggest concern is for international hikers.” 

“We always want [to provide] easier access to the CDT,” he said. While the CDTC thinks it’s likely that U.S. citizens who still hope to touch the southern terminus of the CDT may gain access, international visitors will not. 

Those who are interested in making it to the Mexico border could potentially hike to alternative border sections outside of the NDA territory, applying for a New Mexico land access pass instead of an Army permit. 

“But you know, this is all new. We don’t know what the military presence looks like down there,” said Knoll. 

As of right now, the CDTC will continue to offer a shuttle beginning on October 6, but the location of it has changed due to the new NDA requirements. It will now be located at northbound mile 2.2, outside of the NDA.

Hiking in the area without the required permit could result in criminal charges, with penalties ranging from fines to jail time. Hikers can find the latest updates on CDT closures and restrictions on the CDTC’s website.