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!
How-To
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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.
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Get the Best Ultralight Backpacking Tips and a Special Offer from Hyperlite Mountain Gear
by Joe Pasterisby Joe PasterisLighten your backpack with these top tips from ultralight backpacker and gear reviewer Adventure Alan. Read more about how he uses the “free three” technique to reduce his pack weight without spending a dime on expensive gear. Plus, get a special offer from our friends at Hyperlite Mountain Gear.
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The 2020 wildfire season broke records across the US. Wondering if you’ll be rerouted or if you’ll be traveling through burn zones devoid of trees, water, and shade? Use Gaia GPS’s Wildfires (Historical) map in combination with 3D satellite imagery to get a realistic look at how past fires impact your next trip.
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The best — and safest — hikes start before you reach the trailhead. With a little advanced planning at home, you can know what to expect, find your way to the trailhead, and navigate the trails with ease. Check out this video to learn how to plan a hike using Gaia GPS.
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Sunny spring days make us eager to hit the trails. But warm, dry conditions at the parking lot do not necessarily indicate that all the snow has melted out on the high mountain passes and deep into the woods up ahead. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the FreshSat, Snow Depth, Snow Stations (Daily), and Weather Forecast layers in conjunction with other trusted resources to get a good sense of how much snow to expect on your next trip. Use these tools to help inform your route choice, as well as what gear, traction, and layers to bring.
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If you’ve ever wondered why your pack felt so heavy, it might be time to re-examine what you’ve stuffed in it. In this deep dive, our in-house expert walks you through how to plan your multi-day backpacking trip from scratch. Review how to choose a location, understand the history of your destination, plan your route, manage hazards, and find resources for planning food and gear. Plus, get a detailed three-season gear list to help you pack.
Overlanding has taken the outdoor industry by storm, and for good reason — the goal is to get as far off the beaten path as possible. Get started by learning what an overlanding route looks like, the type of vehicle and equipment you’ll need, and tips for planning your first trip.
Gaia GPS has the perfect map for every adventure. Whether you’re day hiking to a waterfall, backpacking off trail, or overlanding across multiple states, we’ve got you covered. To help you figure out which map is best for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most popular maps. Learn why these maps are so beloved, and how you can use them on your next outing.
Gaia GPS is filled with powerful capabilities to help you plan and navigate on your next adventure — some of which you may not even know about! From customizing your trip display to trimming your tracks, there are easy ways to dial in the app to best suit your needs. Check out these five tips and tricks to get the most out of the app.