The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) spans roughly 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada, offering some of America’s most remote hiking terrain. But in 2025, the trail’s iconic southern endpoint changed dramatically: the final 1.1 miles now lie within a newly designated military-managed National Defense Area (NDA). To reach the monument, hikers must now be U.S. citizens who get special clearance. This shift changes the nature of a thru-hike finish line forever.
The Establishment of the New Mexico National Defense Area
In April 2025, the federal government transferred roughly 100,000 acres along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico to the U.S. Army for three years. The land includes the CDT’s official southern terminus at Crazy Cook, plus the last 1.1 miles of trail. This shift placed what was once public access ground into military jurisdiction. The change came without a full public comment period, surprising many in the thru-hiking community.
Citizenship and Permit Requirements for Access
Under the new rules, only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a permit to access the NDA and the CDT’s final mile. At least one background check is required, along with submission of REAL ID credentials and a passport-style photo. Foreign nationals or non-citizen hikers cannot apply directly, effectively excluding many international thru hikers from finishing the trail at the official monument.
The Permit Process: Timing and Logistics
The permit application reportedly takes around 10 minutes online, but approval can take between 2 and 21 days. Applicants receive a digital access badge upon approval. Shuttle services for the southern terminus have relocated to just outside the NDA zone at mile 2.2 northbound, meaning even eligible hikers must cover extra ground. Planning ahead has moved from optional to essential.
What Non-Citizens Can and Cannot Do
For non U.S. citizens, the official terminus within the NDA is effectively off limits unless they secure special sponsorship or escorted access, a process still vague. Many thru-hikers may complete the CDT’s vast mileage only to stop short of the monument. The trail remains physically open outside the restricted zone, but the symbolic “border-to-border” finish has shifted for many.
Impact on the Thru Hiking Experience
Completing the CDT is often achieved by walking from Mexico to Canada or vice versa, but the new restriction complicates that narrative. The final memory-making push now includes administrative barriers, citizenship checks, and permit logistics. For many, the term “finish” must now mean more than reaching the monument; it means being eligible for access. That changes the nature of the journey subtly but significantly.
Trail Preservation, Usage, and Shuttle Adjustments
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) still offers shuttle and water cache support, but all services must now coordinate with the NDA restrictions. Hikers are advised to arrive with contingency plans and allow for detours around the final segment. The natural beauty of southern NM remains, but those finishing the CDT must now account for logistics and rules that didn’t exist before.
Legal Ramifications and Enforcement
Entering the NDA without proper clearance can result in criminal trespass charges. Consider this: a misstep at the final mile could result in legal trouble. Such enforcement changes the stakes of reaching the terminus from a celebrated photo moment to a regulated checkpoint. Hikers must treat it like traveling on restricted land, not just a trail completion.
The Broader Debate: Access vs Security
Supporters of the change argue that national security relevant to the border justified the NDA creation. Critics say it undermines the spirit of one of America’s most iconic footpaths. The conversation is ongoing. Many hope the policy will evolve, perhaps offering fairer access to all hikers without compromising security. Until then, the CDT community is adapting to a new finish line reality.
National Security vs. Public Wilderness Access
The debate mirrors a broader American tension: security versus freedom. Military officials view the measure as temporary and essential to protect personnel and border infrastructure. Conservationists argue that once land access is restricted, it rarely reopens easily. Both sides agree that the CDT’s spirit depends on keeping wilderness accessible. Whether this “temporary” rule becomes permanent will define future trail politics.
The Future of the CDT’s Southern Terminus
The CDT’s beauty lies in its sense of boundless possibility, yet its new southern end now represents boundaries in the literal sense. Trail groups are negotiating for a civilian-managed access corridor or a new symbolic monument. Until then, the journey remains as rugged as ever, but the finish line carries a different meaning. To complete the CDT today, hikers need not only endurance but also eligibility.
