Support for National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps in Gaia GPS will officially end on April 4th, 2025.
We know change isn’t always easy, especially when it involves something familiar. National Geographic maps have been a core part of the Gaia GPS experience for many years—admired for their detail, clarity, and iconic style. Like many of you, our team has planned countless adventures with these maps, and we deeply respect the legacy they’ve carried into the digital age.
This wasn’t a decision we made lightly. But it’s one that reflects a broader transformation in how people explore the outdoors—and how Gaia GPS is evolving to support that future.
Looking Ahead: Why Gaia GPS Is Moving Forward
Outdoor adventurers today need more than just maps—they need smart, flexible, and informative tools that adapt to the way they travel through the world. Our mission at Gaia GPS is to build the most capable and trusted navigation platform for outdoor exploration—and that means constantly improving the quality, interactivity, and relevance of the map layers we provide.
Over the last few years, we’ve invested heavily in building new, modern maps designed for how people explore today. While National Geographic maps offered beautifully detailed cartography, their coverage was limited to select regions—leaving many outdoor destinations without the support our users needed. In contrast, our new map layers offer global reach and go far beyond simply showing trails—they bring them to life with dynamic terrain data, activity-specific highlights, and powerful tools to help you plan, discover, and navigate with more confidence than ever.
Better Maps for Every Kind of Adventurer
As we continue to evolve Gaia GPS, we’re excited to share a new generation of map layers that offer even greater utility, clarity, and coverage—built to support the way you explore today:
🥾 Gaia Hike
Our newest global hiking map is built specifically for hikers, backpackers, and thru-hikers. It emphasizes trail detail, labels key waypoints, and includes an innovative steepness shading overlay that instantly reveals the grade and difficulty of your route—something you won’t find on any traditional map.
🏞️ NPS Visitor Map
For those heading into U.S. National Parks, this layer delivers the official maps from the National Park Service. You’ll get visitor center locations, trail info, campgrounds, and more—exactly how the rangers want you to see the park.
🌲 USFS Roads & Trails
Explore the backcountry with confidence using this detailed layer showing official Forest Service roads and trails—ideal for hikers, hunters, overlanders, and multi-use adventurers alike.
These map layers reflect the future we’re building toward: more personalized, responsive, and powerful maps that work for you—whether you’re walking a familiar trail or blazing a new one.
What to Expect on April 4th
- The National Geographic Trails Illustrated layer will be removed from Gaia GPS on April 4th, 2025.
- We recommend switching over to one of the enhanced map layers above, which are fully supported online and offline.
Thank You
To everyone who has used and loved National Geographic maps in Gaia GPS—we’re grateful. These maps helped define our app during its early years and inspired a generation of outdoor explorers to venture farther.
But we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. With every map layer, product update, and partnership, we’re working to make Gaia GPS the most trusted companion for every outdoor journey.
If you have questions or want help transitioning to new layers, our support team is here and happy to help.
Here’s to the next great adventure,
—The Gaia GPS Team
