Navigation is the one skill that every outdoor adventurer should know. Whether you are planning a multi-day backpacking trip or a complex overlanding excursion off the grid, taking the reins on your next adventure will help you feel safer and more confident in the backcountry. Read on to learn how and why you should be the one in your group to hold the map — even if it’s your first time.

No cell signal, no problem. Your smartphone still serves as an invaluable toolkit in the backcountry, from a go-to navigation device, to an alarm clock for alpine starts, to one centralized place to conveniently store guidebooks and maps. Check out the most essential and creative ways to use your cell phone in the outdoors, even when you’re far from service.

Geography always played a key role in bringing Denver educators Phoebe Novitsky and Ian Silberman together. From summiting the wrong peak to bonking on an epic gravel ride, the couple’s trials and triumphs outside taught them resilience and unconditional love. Ian knew geography would also play a key role in asking for Phoebe’s hand in marriage. Grab a box of tissues and tune in to the Out and Back podcast to learn how Ian used maps (and Gaia GPS, in fact!) to elevate the proposal to the next level.

Bear attacks are uncommon, but can be fatal. Luckily, most bear attacks can be avoided. Prevent bear attacks in the backcountry by following these bear safety tips from wildlife experts.

Hike, hunt, and offroad with confidence using the Public Land (US) and Private Land (US) maps. Both maps provide coverage for every state in the US so you can quickly and easily decipher public and private land, no matter where you are. Plus, we’ve added 1.5 million acres to the Public Land map to bring you the most comprehensive coverage available.

Whether you’re looking for the visitor’s center, a designated campsite to pitch your tent, or a storage locker to keep your food safe from bears, you can now find these points of interest and many more right in our flagship map you know and love. We’ve added nearly 15,000 National Parks Service amenities to Gaia Topo so you can take advantage of all of the opportunities the NPS offers. Learn how to use Gaia GPS on your next trip so you can ditch the paper map.

After 69 days of walking through sub-zero degree temps and knee-deep snow, Emily Ford became just the second person and first woman to complete a winter thru-hike of Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail. Plus, she found a new best canine friend in the process. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to find out how (and why) she tackled this long trail during the toughest time of year.

Escape crowded campsites this summer with the freshly updated Gaia Topo map. We’ve updated our flagship map to include all 248 million acres of BLM-managed public land, as well as expanded state public lands. Learn how to use Gaia Topo to find free, dispersed campsites on BLM land — no reservation needed!

It’s a new moon! With the skies at their darkest, the stars sparkle a little brighter, the planets become more visible, and the Milky Way pops against the dark sky. Learn how to photograph the night sky with these five pro tips from landscape photographer Scott Sady of Tahoe Light. Plus, discover how to use Gaia GPS’s light pollution map to find the perfect location for your next midnight photo shoot.

Dig deeper into the map than ever before thanks to new and updated National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps in Gaia GPS. Hike, bike, ski, and sled through Idaho with the new Sawtooth and Sun Valley Nat Geo maps. And enjoy unprecedented accuracy and detail in 16 other Nat Geo titles ranging from Washington to Wisconsin.

Add your own flare and detailed precision to your map thanks to new emoji waypoints. Mark your favorite spots on the map with a ❤️, flag that campsite where you saw a 🐻, and add a 💧 at every crucial water source along your route. Customize your waypoints using any of the hundreds of emoji symbols available on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Seven years after a life-threatening cycling crash, Alan Adams reclaimed his fitness, tenacity, and connection to nature through a new year’s resolution. He set out to cover two million vertical feet in a single calendar year — all under his own power. He ended up ski touring and cycling his way to the world record. Alan climbed over 2.5 million vertical feet, averaging over 7,000 vertical a day. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to learn how Alan juggled this overwhelming feat while maintaining his job and a relationship.