Topographical map source?
In the pre-planning/dreaming/is-it-possible stage of an adventure trip in the western US from the coast (southest BC) over to about maybe as far as N. Dakota along the top of the country and then sout...
Forum Discussion
Many National Forest websites now offer topo maps as a free PDF download. 1" = 1 mile, the quads are 8.5x11 so you can print them on your home printer. Works better on photo paper, as regular paper will bleed a little bit and the details may be fuzzy. These are the FS in-house versions of the USGS maps, more frequently updated then the USGS originals.
I use the phone app Backcountry Navigator. Costs $10, and you can access various editions of topo maps, aerial photography, marine charts for free. Other more detailed and specialty maps are available for a subscription fee.
You can save an area to use off line, and it uses your phone GPS to show your location, makes tracks and waypoints.
Avenza PDF Maps app is free, and you pay for maps. Most USFS forest visitor maps and topo maps are available a lot cheaper than the paper versions. USFS MVUM maps are free (that was part of the deal when the FS contracted with Avenza to provide maps), some of the NPS visitor maps are free. Again, uses the phone GPS to track you on the map.
I use the phone app Backcountry Navigator. Costs $10, and you can access various editions of topo maps, aerial photography, marine charts for free. Other more detailed and specialty maps are available for a subscription fee.
You can save an area to use off line, and it uses your phone GPS to show your location, makes tracks and waypoints.
Avenza PDF Maps app is free, and you pay for maps. Most USFS forest visitor maps and topo maps are available a lot cheaper than the paper versions. USFS MVUM maps are free (that was part of the deal when the FS contracted with Avenza to provide maps), some of the NPS visitor maps are free. Again, uses the phone GPS to track you on the map.
