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Gaia GPS
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New Features

Gaia GPSNew Features

OpenSnow Weather Now Available at-a-Tap on the Map

by Abby Levene November 9, 2022
written by Abby Levene

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just poor planning. The problem is, you need to know what the weather will be so you can plan accordingly. Predicting the weather grows particularly challenging as the days grow shorter, colder, and wetter. 

We have a solution.

While we can’t supply a crystal ball, we can supply the weather for exactly where you’re going, exactly where you need it—right on the map. We partnered with OpenSnow, the leading resource for backcountry weather, to bring you hyper-localized weather forecasts that you can access at a tap.

Just tap anywhere on the map, anywhere in the world, and get the current weather plus the forecast right in Gaia GPS. Read on to get the full weather-at-a-tap lowdown.

Forecasts from a Trusted Source

We worked hard with our friends over at OpenSnow to bring you the best global weather data for your adventures. Founded by meteorologist and skier Joel Gratz, OpenSnow delivers high-quality weather forecasts worldwide. 

As its name suggests, OpenSnow started as a ski-focused forecasting and snow-reporting website. Its scope has expanded over the past decade to provide high-quality backcountry weather forecasts for all seasons. Now, millions trust OpenSnow for weather forecasting year-round. 

Weather At-A-Tap on the Map

Equally important to forecast quality is accessibility. That’s why we put the forecast right on the map. No more guesstimating the zip codes of your next backcountry skiing zone, four-wheeled desert escape, or ridge line traverse. Get the forecast as you plan your adventures on the map.

Just tap the map in the app or on gaiagps.com, and the weather appears at the top of the tap drawer just under the location coordinates. Notice how the forecast changes as you tap around the map. Get a sense of how the temperature plummets as you move up the mountain, and rises as you descend into canyons.

All the Forecasts You Need, in One Place

Tap anywhere on the map to get all the current weather information you need, including the temperature, cloud cover, chance of precipitation, and wind.

Whether you’re hitting the slopes or setting out on a cross-country cruise, you need more than the current weather. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Click the arrow next to the current weather to get the expanded three-day forecast, as well as a link to the 10-day forecast.

Get Even More Weather Data by Upgrading to Premium with Outside+

Weather at-a-tap is available to all Gaia GPS users. Get even more weather data, including our suite of precipitation and snow forecast maps, by upgrading to Gaia GPS Premium with Outside+.

Premium gives you access to the entire map catalog, including all the maps you need for winter, such as the Avalanche Forecast, Snow Depth, weather reports from snow stations around the west, and ski resort reports. Plus, with Premium you can take your maps offline so you can navigate without cell service. 

November 9, 2022
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SNOTEL map
Backcountry SkiingGaia GPSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Find the Deepest, Lightest Powder with the Snow Stations (Daily) Map

by Mary Cochenour November 8, 2022
written by Mary Cochenour

Find the freshest, lightest, and deepest snow for your next winter adventure with the Snow Stations (Daily) map. This map taps into hundreds of remote SNOTEL and Canadian weather sensors to show just how much snow fell over the last 24 hours in mountain zones around the west. The map also provides water density readings to give you a sense of whether the new snow stacks up light and dry like Montana’s famous cold smoke or wet and heavy like Sierra cement.

No more trial-and-error in driving up to the pass or trailhead to hunt down the best snow conditions. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers can simply check the Snow Stations (Daily) map before heading out the door to get a real-time look at conditions on peaks and passes in the Western US and British Columbia. View this map with a Premium Membership on the web and in the Gaia GPS app when connected to the internet or cell service. This map relies on constant updates and is not available for downloading.

Real-Time Snow Data

two cell phones showing the snow stations daily map with information on snow totals

The Snow Stations (Daily) map helps you find the freshest snow conditions by pulling data from almost a thousand United States Department of Agriculture SNOTEL sites and British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development weather stations. Updated once every hour, these weather stations send out real-time information on total snow depth, snow water content, 24-hour change in snow totals, and more.

the legend showing what each color-coded snowflake represents on the Snow Stations Daily map. Orange and red snowflakes represent loss of snow.  Black is no change in snow.  Green and Blue show snow gain.


Find the location of all the SNOTEL and Canadian weather stations near you by looking for color-coded snowflake icons on the map. Each snowflake represents a remote weather station and the color of the snowflake indicates how much snow has fallen or melted in the last 24-hour reporting period.

Click on the icons to get more information about the location of the site and the weather conditions in that area. A pop-up will show the name, elevation, and the date and time the weather station last sent an update. View snow depth totals, 24-hour change in snow, and snow water equivalent changes within the last 24 hours. The link within the information pop-up on the map takes you to the weather station’s page, where you can learn more specifics about the sensor’s exact location and the maximum, minimum, and average temperature readings at the site for the last seven days, month, or a customized time frame of your choosing.

Location of Snow Stations (Daily)

You’ll find stations located in the most remote areas of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia, Canada. The weather stations were originally placed in these watersheds in the 1960s as a way to measure and forecast water availability for agricultural use. The SNOTEL sites quickly developed into a climate resource for backcountry enthusiasts. Skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, and snowmobilers keep a close eye on conditions by referencing SNOTEL data. Hikers, bikepackers, and backpackers are equally interested in learning about spring, summer, and fall temperature readings and precipitation activity for backcountry areas they plan to visit.

How to Get the Snow Stations (Daily) Map

The Snow Stations (Daily) map is available in the app and online with a Premium Membership. Tap the layers icon from the Gaia GPS app on your phone or in your account on the web and select the “Add map layers” button. Scroll down and tap the “Feature /Weather Overlays” and select “Snow Stations Daily.” Tap the “+” icon to add it to your active map layers.

Layer this map on top of your favorite basemap, like Gaia Topo, USGS Topo, or even satellite imagery maps. Use the 24-, 48-, and 72- hour Precipitation layers to see what weather is predicted to come your way. Take a look at the Snow Depth layer to get a picture of how much snow is already on the ground. Always check in with the Avalanche Forecast map before heading out of cell service range.

November 8, 2022
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route editing on gaiagps.com
Gaia GPSNew Features

New Edit Tools: Creating Your Own Routes Just Got Even Easier

by Abby Levene September 1, 2022
written by Abby Levene

Expert route builders and route planning-curious alike, we have great news for you. Creating your own adventures in Gaia GPS just got even easier — and more fun. Meet our new route editing tools, here to let you quickly fix any mistakes or changes of heart, automatically out-and-back any one-way route, send your route back to the start, and reverse your route direction.

You asked, and we listened. We added these route editing tools so that you can explore our maps with even more abandon, knowing you can painlessly erase any route-building mistakes and let our planning tools handle the tedious tasks. Enjoy these tools on Android and on the big screen at gaiagps.com. To put the cherry on top of this route creation cake, we’ve added keyboard shortcuts to the web so you can perform any of these tasks without even touching your mouse, making it even easier to carry on route building with our smart snap-to-trail planning tools.

Turn Your Dream into Do with Route Planning

two people look out at the mountains, one is holding up a Gaia GPS map on their phone.

Whether you’re planning a day hike with your family, looking for a backpacking overnighter away from the crowds, or embarking on the international overlanding trip of your dreams, building the route sits at the heart of your adventure. Route building is also more than a necessity. It’s an art form, a way of life for those of us who love to explore our backyards and beyond. 

Route planning also means peace of mind. You’ll be able to answer the age-old question, “how much further?” And it means you’ll know where to go at every turn. When it comes to building your own routes, the sky is the limit in Gaia GPS. Plan on the big screen and tap into 3D mode using your computer at home. Your route will automatically synch to the app on your phone for seamless navigation in the backcountry. Or if you’re planning from your tent late at night, route on the fly with your phone.  

If you’re ready to take your route planning to the next level, read on to learn about our new route editing tools. Once you try them you probably won’t be able to live without them.

Erase Mistakes and Redo Routes In One Tap

And for our first magic trick, we’ll make your mistakes disappear! Let’s face it, we all make mistakes — even when mapping out our adventures. In addition to those accidental taps and clicks though, making “mistakes” is actually a vital part of the map exploration and the route-building process. Maybe you send your backpacking route up and over another mountain, only to realize you won’t have time for that extra 6,000 feet of climbing. Perhaps you really want to stop for burritos on your bike ride, only to realize you’ve mapped your route in the wrong direction. Or maybe you’re planning on offroading expedition and realize you like the first way you built your route better, before you went ahead and erased it all. 

No matter the case, do not fear! Undo and redo buttons are here. Correct any mistakes simply by hitting the back arrow. Or go back to the first, better way you built your route by tapping the forward arrow. 

Crunched For Time? Get Back ASAP

Sometimes, we’re on a mission to get to a certain destination — that turquoise alpine lake, the world-renowned ice cream shop, the spooky ghost town — and we don’t care how we go home we just want to get back ASAP. When these scenarios arise, plot out your route to your destination, and just click “Back to Start.” Gaia GPS’s smart snap-to-trail planning tools will send you the shortest way back to where you began. 

Back to Start also comes in handy when you’ve completed most of your route and just want to close the loop without much fuss. If you’ve got a better idea in mind than the way our planning tools routed you back, just hit Undo! 

Automatically Create Out-and-Back Routes

Whether you’re tagging a peak, venturing out to an alpine lake for a frigid dip, or running along the beach, a lot of adventures are “out and backs,” meaning you return from whence you came. For these types of outings, all you have to do is map out one direction of your trip. Then just press “Out and Back” and our planning tools will retrace your line back to the start for you.

Reverse Route Direction

Have you planned a multi-day overlanding loop, only to realize you actually want to go clockwise, not counterclockwise like you mapped it? Or maybe you’re planning a hike up a mountain, and instead of mapping from the trailhead to the summit, you started at the summit and mapped down to the trailhead?

Either way, reversing a route solves your problem. As the name implies, “Reverse” lets you reverse the direction of any route. This function also proves useful if you’re planning a loop and can’t decide if you would prefer to go clockwise or counterclockwise. Map the route in one direction, and then hit reverse to compare and contrast the elevation profiles, viewpoints, resupply stops, and any other points of interest in both directions to see which way works best with your style.

Give Your Mouse a Break with Keyboard Shortcuts 

Many Gaia GPS users turn to gaiagps.com to enjoy route planning on the big screen of their computer. That’s why we added keyboard shortcuts to make it even easier to create your routes on the web. Not into shortcuts? No sweat. You can access the same route editing tools through the buttons on the bottom of the map.

Route Building (and Editing) is Available to Everyone

someone looks at Gaia GPS from their tent

Anyone can create – and edit – routes using Gaia GPS, all you need to do is sign up for a free account. Unlock the full power of the app, including taking your maps offline so you can follow and edit your route without cell service, with a Premium membership. Going Premium comes with the ability to layer maps on top of each other, so you can spy incoming weather over your route, view today’s air quality, or look at public and private land boundaries to ensure you’re not trespassing. You also get Gaia GPS’s entire map catalog. Download hundreds of maps, including National Geographic Trails Illustrated, high-resolution satellite maps, weather overlays, and government-issued topo maps like USFS topo, all the USGS quad maps, and MVUMs.

September 1, 2022
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photo waypoint in Gaia GPS
Gaia GPSHow-ToNew Features

Top 10 Ways to Use Waypoints

by Abby Levene August 30, 2022
written by Abby Levene

Whether you’re marking water sources, saving prime camping spots, or capturing breathtaking views, waypoints provide an invaluable tool for navigating and documenting your adventures. That’s why we provide some of the most advanced waypoint technology on the planet to go along with our world-class maps.

We’ve incorporated your feedback to make waypoints even more customizable and easy to use than ever before. You can now color-code waypoints based on opened/closed, good/bad, by type, trip, time — you name it. There are no limits when it comes to how you can use waypoints.

To get your creative juices flowing, here are our top 10 ways to use waypoints on our adventures.

But first, what are waypoints?

waypoints on a map

A waypoint is a reference point that helps you determine where you are and how to navigate to your destination. Whether you’re hiking, bikepacking, overlanding, or fly fishing, waypoints can help you find your way. In Gaia GPS, a waypoint is a marker you place on the map to signify a feature, your location, or any other spot on the planet. That may be a flag marking a key turn, a photo showing a sublime alpine lake, or a tent emoji illustrating the best camp spot so you can find it again later.

Here are the top 10 ways we use waypoints on our adventures and even in daily life.

1. Plan Adventures on the Big Screen

As you map out new routes on your desktop at home, drop waypoints to mark the parking lot, key turns, and where you plan to stop for lunch. Don’t worry, your waypoints will automatically sync to the Gaia GPS app on your phone or tablet.

2. Navigate to Detours & Destinations

Gaia GPS’s powerful navigation tools allow you to get turn-by-turn directions to any waypoint with just the press of a button. Want to take a detour to the mining ruins? Just drop a waypoint on the map on your phone and Gaia GPS can guide you directly there. This feature also comes in handy for navigating to the summit, or making your way back to the trailhead. Just drop a waypoint for where you want to go and tap “Guide Me” (iOS/Android).

You can drop a waypoint at your exact location, place it anywhere on the map, or type in the coordinates — up to you!

3. Add Photos to the Map

Gaia GPS hack: you can make photo waypoints! Immortalize that breathtaking view, chronicle a burn field, or remember where that avalanche slid across the trail. Take a photo of your current location (iOS/Android), and it will automatically show up on the map, geotagged to that exact spot. Just hit the + button on the top bar of the app, and tap “Take Picture.” A camera waypoint will show up on the map. Tap it to see your photo, along with the time stamp for when it was taken.

4. Mark Campsites for Later

Whether you’re reserving a campsite through recreation.gov on Gaia Topo or happen to come across a prime dispersed camp spot on your adventures, drop a tent emoji on the map to mark it forever. Gaia GPS pro mountain athlete Kyle Richardson uses waypoints on multi-day bikepacking and running adventures.

“Before I leave for a trip, I mark potential bivvy spots with waypoints as I plan my route on Gaia GPS at home,” Kyle says. “I then drop waypoints at my exact camp spots so I can find them again next time.”

With your campsites marked on the map, you can find them even in the dead of night.

5. See Mile Markers

Break your route into manageable chunks by dropping a mile marker in 1-, 10-, or 50-mile increments, or whatever makes sense for your adventure. Likewise, drop a waypoint at each checkpoint along the route. For endurance events like ultra running races, many race organizers use Gaia GPS to share the race route with participants and they drop waypoints to signify aid stations along the course.

In fact, many trail and gravel riding races post GPX files of the course and aid stations on their website. Whether the file is on Gaia GPS or not, you can download the file and upload it to your Gaia GPS account (web/iOS/Android). That way, you can train and race along the course and know exactly where you are, when the aid stations are coming up, and ensure you’re on the right route.

6. Label Water Sources

From water sources to water crossings, water can play an integral role in every type of adventure. Make your life a little easier for yourself by dropping a waypoint when you come across a stream, lake, or water cache. (And of course, if you’re caching your own water, make sure you leave a waypoint so you can find it on route!)

You can even color-code water sources based on their status thanks to our new colorized waypoint feature. Mark good water sources in green and bad ones in red. If you have to ford a river or if you find a refreshing lake for a swim, mark it on the map!

7. Avoid Hazards

Drop waypoints to mark washed-out bridges, downed trees, or whatever impedes you on the trail. Document where you saw that big scary snake with a photo waypoint. Same goes with bottlenecks on route: add a waypoint to remember where there’s a locked gate or a “no trespassing” sign so you can easily reroute next time.

8. Note Trail Status

Is the trail open or closed? Mark it with a green circle, a red X, or use the new colorized waypoints to create your own color-coded system for closures and trail conditions. Drop a yellow pin if the trail is muddy, or a green one if it’s dry and good to go.

9. Add Reminders

Say goodbye to forgetting where you parked your car. Next time you leave your car in a hectic trailhead parking lot, at the airport, or tucked into a parking garage, drop a waypoint as you exit your vehicle so you can find it stress-free when it’s time to go home.

We recommend you pick up after your dog in the moment. But if you MUST leave a doggy wag bag on the trail, make sure you drop a waypoint so you remember where it is so you can — and will— pick it up. Same goes with stashed water bottles, extra layers, or whatever else you may have tucked away behind a tree to snag on your way home.

You can also drop waypoints for cool zones you want to come back and explore. That’s what Kyle does when he stumbles across climbing and bouldering areas: “If I’m out on a run and I find a sweet rock, I’ll drop a waypoint so I can come back with the right gear.”

10. Document Memories

You can use Gaia GPS as a memory book for your adventures, with waypoints marking the locations of key memories on your trips.

That’s what Denver-based teacher Ian Silberman did as he reflected on his relationship with Phoebe Novitsky. He added waypoints to mark their first hike, where they bonked a gravel ride, and where he texted Phoebe from his tent late at night. On top of Monarch Mountain one winter morning, Ian pulled out his phone to show her each waypoint on the map, pointing to the real-life locations in the distance. After reminiscing over their adventures outside, he pointed to the star on the map, directly where they were standing, before getting down on one knee.

As you mark memories on the map, remember that you can add notes to each waypoint to chronicle even more information. Just tap on the waypoint, and scroll down in the pop-up drawer until you see “Add Notes.”

Customize Waypoints Even More with a Premium Membership

Everyone can use waypoints on both gaiagps.com and in the app. To level up your adventures with custom waypoint border colors, upgrade to a Gaia GPS Premium Membership .

Gaia GPS Premium unlocks all of the maps, including the suite of National Geographic Trails Illustrated titles, MVUM, USFS, and weather maps. Plus, you can navigate offline and print your maps so you can find your way if you lose cell signal or if your phone dies.

August 30, 2022
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Android Auto on a car navigation screen.
Gaia GPSNew FeaturesOffroading

Navigate from the Dashboard with Improved Android Auto

by Abby Levene February 4, 2022
written by Abby Levene

We’ve revamped Gaia GPS on Android Auto so you can manipulate the map, record tracks, and drop waypoints all from your dashboard. Just connect your phone to your car display and navigate with your favorite Gaia GPS maps like MVUMs, hi-res global satellite imagery, and National Geographic Trails Illustrated — all from the luxury of the wide screen.

From expanded map controls to clearer visibility, here are the major updates:

Pan around and Zoom In and Out on the Map

Put your phone in the console and relax. Now you can engage with more of the map right from your dashboard. View other parts of the map by panning around from dashboard screen. Pinch your fingers on the map to zoom in and out.

Navigate Along Routes — and Off Them

Follow a route you’ve already built on Gaia GPS. Or forge your own trail by navigating to a waypoint or the start of a track.

Add Waypoints to Mark Key Locations

Mark landmarks, campsites, and water crossings in real time. Just drop a waypoint right from your navigation screen onto the map.

Start and Stop Recording Tracks

Leave a breadcrumb trail by recording your tracks in Gaia GPS, right from your dashboard. Just hit “Record Track” when you start, and “End” when you arrive. Your track will automatically sync on your phone, laptop, tablet, or wherever else you use Gaia GPS.

Search and Filter to Quickly Find Routes, Waypoints, and Tracks

Easily find the waypoint, track, or route you want with our brand new filtering and sorting system. Hit the search bar and then filter by object type. Or sort items by alphabetical title, distance from you, or time created.

Clearly See Where You’re Going

We’ve enhanced the navigation line to make it easier to see where you’re going as you whiz down the highway or maneuver technical off-road routes. New icons give Gaia GPS on Android Auto a crisper look so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Take advantage of these improvements by updating your Android Auto app. Learn even more about Gaia GPS on Android Auto over here. And become a Premium member to access our full map catalog.

February 4, 2022
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desktop and iphone showing Trailforks in Gaia GPS.
Gaia GPSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Discover Your Dream Ride with the Trailforks MTB Map

by Abby Levene January 13, 2022
written by Abby Levene

Trailforks’ coveted mountain bike trail database is now in Gaia GPS! The sum is greater than its parts: marrying Trailforks’ premier collection of trails with Gaia GPS’s world-class maps and tools unlocks new levels of two-wheeled adventure. Discover brand new routes, get the beta on trail conditions, and easily spy trails based on type and difficulty level with this new map overlay.

Trailforks, a trail management system, catalogs trail networks around the world. The crowd-sourced database and moderated site provides the most accurate and comprehensive trail data in the world. Trailforks community members can access all of this data both on the web and in the Trailforks app. And now you can get all 361,392 Trailforks mountain bike trails around the globe right in the Gaia GPS app and on gaiagps.com. This Trailforks MTB map layer is available with a Gaia GPS Premium or Gaia GPS Premium with Outside+ Membership.

While we’re stoked about this new map (even in winter!), we’re even more psyched about what it represents in our quest to make Gaia GPS even better for you. This collaboration with Trailforks is just the start of a bright future working with our sibling company as part of the Outside Interactive, Inc. network.

Global Coverage of the Best Mountain Bike Trails

Life for downhillers, endurance junkies, gravel enthusiasts, and bike commuters just got a whole lot better. The Trailforks MTB layer in Gaia GPS shows all 361,392 mountain bike trails on the Trailforks website and in the Trailforks app. If you’re familiar with Trailforks already, the Trailforks MTB map layer in Gaia GPS will look familiar:

Mountain bike trails pop out from the map, color-coded by difficulty. Easy trails are represented by green lines on the map. Intermediate trails are blue, and very difficult trails are black. Red and orange signify “double black diamond” and “extremely difficult & dangerous, pros only!”

Distinguish trails primarily used for mountain biking from those where mountain biking is permitted (but not the primary use) right on the map, represented by lines and dotted lines, respectively. Roads come in shades of purple, while double green lines show paved paths.

If you’re wondering what trail you’re on, just zoom in on the map. The trail name will appear right in line with the trail. Click or tap on a trail to get more information, including trail type, use (both primary use and all allowed uses), direction, and closure status. You can also see the trail direction and closure status directly on the map. Little arrows on the trail indicate which direction you can go, if only one direction is permitted. Red “x”s appear if the trail is currently closed.

Layer Trailforks MTB on Gaia Topo Lite for Optimal Visibility

Trailforks MTB is a trail overlay, meaning you need to pair it with a base map to see the underlying terrain. This gives you the ultimate freedom to let your map visualization dreams run wild. You can layer Trailforks MTB on any base map you like, including our suite of in-house topo maps, satellite imagery, and USFS maps.

We highly suggest pairing Trailforks MTB with Gaia Topo Lite. A slimmed-down version of our proprietary Gaia Topo map, Gaia Topo Lite is designed to pair with trail overlays like Trailforks MTB. Gaia Topo Lite takes advantage of the beautiful styling and efficient download sizes of our flagship Gaia Topo map. It simply contains fewer trail details, meaning the Trailforks trails really pop from the map for optimal visibility.

Gaia Topo Lite is available with a Premium or Outside+ membership, which also grant you access to Trailforks MTB and the ability to layer these and other maps together.

Adventure Further and Wiser with Trailforks MTB in Gaia GPS

Whether you’re lapping the resort, linking up trail systems, or simply looking for a new dirt route for your gravel bike, check out Trailforks MTB to tap into a whole new level of trail curation in Gaia GPS. Discover bike paths in new cities — they pop out in purple on the map. Find out whether that forest road you’ve always wanted to explore is maintained. Get beta on where to find the sweetest bike parks.

Take advantage of Gaia GPS’s world-class route planning tools to link up new trail systems or to plan the bikepacking trip of your dreams. Download the Trailforks MTB layer like any other Gaia GPS map so you can always find the trail, see where you are, and create plan B on the fly.

We’re Just Getting Started

We are proud to say that integrating Trailforks MTB trails into Gaia GPS is just the tip of the iceberg for great things to come between our two world-class apps. We know that many loyal Gaia GPS users also love using Trailforks for mountain biking. Trailforks now contains our proprietary map, Gaia Topo. So if you’re a mountain biker, hopefully we’ve simplified life just a little bit for you. Use just Gaia GPS, just Trailforks, or continue on with a combination of both — it’s totally up to you.

If you do enjoy using both Gaia GPS and Trailforks, you can get Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro (plus Outside TV and a suite of other awesome outdoor content) with an Outside+ membership. And if you’re eager to help Trailforks build out its trail systems for other activities, hop over there to get involved.

Trailforks MTB is Available with a Premium Membership

Add the Trailforks MTB map to your arsenal with a Gaia GPS Premium membership. Premium gives you access to our entire map catalog, including Gaia Topo and Gaia Topo Lite (perfect for pairing with Trailforks MTB). Scout out trail conditions with our recent satellite imagery maps, see where you can camp using the public and private lands maps, and get our extensive suite of weather maps, along with the rest of our deep map catalog. You can also download maps to avoid getting lost, and take advantage of our offline route planning tools so you can always re-route on the fly. Premium also lets you print maps so you have a paper backup.

You can also get Gaia GPS Premium, Trailforks Pro, and the brand-new Outside App with an Outside+ membership.

January 13, 2022
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AndroidApp UpdatesGaia GPSiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Gaia GPS Year in Review: Best New Maps and Features of 2021

by Mary Cochenour December 28, 2021
written by Mary Cochenour

The pandemic roared on in 2021 but that didn’t stop the Gaia GPS community from exploring outside. Collectively, you all recorded more tracks and climbed more vertical than ever before. And it showed as the number of you navigating with Gaia GPS maps soared through the roof in 2021.  

Whether climbing Colorado’s lofty 14ers or day hiking on your neighborhood trails, your drive to get outside inspired the Gaia GPS team to create nifty new maps and innovative features this year. From our brand new Gaia Winter map to offline snap-to-trail route planning, we hope our newest updates have made your adventuring a little bit easier and a whole lot safer.

Read on to learn more about Gaia GPS’s development highlights from 2021.

Navigate in Winter Mode with the Brand New Gaia Winter Map 

This year, our in-house cartographers designed this frosty new base map specifically for your favorite winter activities. Ride the lifts, tour the backcountry, and explore nordic, fat bike, and snowshoe trails with confidence thanks to the all-new Gaia Winter topographic map.

The new Gaia Winter map is designed with a stronger emphasis on terrain, tree cover, and contours, making it easier than ever to navigate in an endless world of white. It’s special “winter” color palette pairs perfectly with other commonly used winter maps, such as the Avalanche Forecast and Slope Angle maps. Plus, see every run at the ski resort, along with nordic, snowshoe, fat bike, and uphill trails. 

Just like our flagship Gaia Topo map, our new Gaia Winter map comes with industry-leading download efficiency. A tiny file size and lightning-quick download speeds let you save your entire state so you can always have a map on hand, even when you lose cell service. Whether you’re riding the lifts, sliding into the side country, or touring untouched terrain, bring Gaia Winter along with you so that you can always find your location in the thickest of tree glades and whiteout conditions. Available with a Gaia GPS Premium or Outside+ Membership. 

Introducing Gaia GPS + Android Auto 

Our users wanted Android Auto, and we heard you loud and clear! Gaia GPS now connects with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, bringing all of your favorite trail maps directly to your vehicle’s navigation screen. Now you can pull up MVUMs, satellite imagery, National Geographic Trails Illustrated, and more, all on the dash. View waypoints and follow turn-by-turn directions with any saved route on backcountry dirt roads and front-country pavement — worldwide. No cell service needed. 

CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are available for free to anyone using the Gaia GPS app. However you will need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or Outside+ Membership to access the entire map catalog and to download maps for offline navigation. 

Visualize the Landscape with 3D Maps on the Web

Scope out new terrain, plan perfect routes, or dream the day away discovering the world’s natural wonders in 3D mode on Gaia GPS. Every map in Gaia GPS can now be viewed in 3D mode on the web. Just click the 3D button on the bottom right side of the map screen, and watch the canyons plunge and the mountains pop into three dimensions that beg you to explore. Whether you’re backpacking, overlanding, or backcountry skiing, 3D maps will revolutionize the way you research and plan your next adventure. 

Everyone can view a limited number of maps in 3D mode on the Gaia GPS website. However if you want to view our entire map catalog in 3D mode, you’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or Outside+ Membership. Premium Members and Outside+ Members have access to hundreds of maps, including National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps, high resolution satellite imagery, USGS quadrangle maps, worldwide topo maps, and more — all of which can be viewed in 3D mode on the web.  

Discover Millions of New Routes with the New Public Tracks Overlay

Public tracks have long been visible on the Gaia GPS website. But this year, we added public tracks to the app, making it easier than ever to see if a route goes. The Public Tracks overlay shows the two million public tracks Gaia GPS users have recorded all over the world. Click on any green public track to see exactly where others have gone before you. Turn on this layer to discover new hiking routes, connect 4×4 roads, and plan backcountry trips with on-the-ground information.

Public Tracks also show you details of the trips recorded in this overlay. Discover who recorded the track, when they recorded it whether they were hiking, skiing, or driving in an offroad vehicle if they selected the activity type when they recorded the track. You can save any public track to your account and follow it on your own adventure.  

Anyone can access public tracks in the app and on the web. But you’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership to download them for use in areas without cell service. Want to contribute to the database of public tracks? You can choose to make your tracks public and make them available for others to access, too. 

Send Thousands of Trails Offroad Routes to Gaia GPS 

Thanks to a brand new partnership with Trails Offroad you can now send thousands of detailed offroad trail guides directly to your Gaia GPS account. This integration brought to you in February of 2021 lets you reap all the benefits of Trails Offroad’s hand curated trail guides on Gaia GPS. On the Trails Offroad site, get difficulty ratings for each trail, campsite locations, and waypoints for those must-see viewpoints and attractions along the way. When you’ve found the perfect route, simply press a button to deliver the route in a neat little folder to your Gaia GPS account.  

All you need to make this happen is a $25 Trails Offroad Membership plus a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or Outside+ Membership. Join both platforms today and get the best trail guides for your car camping adventures in 2022.  

Plan Routes on the Fly with New Offline Snap-to-Trail Trip Planning Tool

Straight-line route creation is so 2020. Jump into 2021 with our brand new offline snap-to-trail route planning tool. This means you can now create accurate routes on the fly, modify your plans from the road, and see the exact distance to the end of the trip while on the trail — even when you don’t have cell service.  

The gold standard for route planning, snap-to-trail mapping does all the heavy lifting for you. Choose your activity type and let our intelligent planning tool build the route in a matter of seconds. If you want to build a snap-to-trail route without cell service, just make sure you’ve downloaded the map and the offline routing data ahead of time. To access offline snap-to-trail planning and other offline navigation tools and maps, you’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership. 

Avoid Wildfire Smoke with these New Smoke Forecast Maps 

Nothing ruins an awesome weekend adventure like smoky, gray skies. Now you can steer clear of wildfire smoke with our new Smoke Forecast maps. Smoke Forecast (today), Smoke Forecast (24h), and Smoke Forecast (48h) give you a sense of smoke levels all over the continental US for today, tomorrow, and an entire weekend.  

Whether you’re backpacking near a wildfire-ravaged area or overlanding thousands of miles away, get a quick and accurate sense of how much smoke blows over so you can circumvent the bad air and enjoy clear views. Access the Smoke Forecast maps with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership.  

Navigate Trails with Gaia GPS on your Apple Watch

Record a track, drop waypoints, and get turn-by-turn directions using Gaia GPS on your Apple Watch. In 2021, we totally redesigned the Gaia GPS Apple Watch app. Now you can turn your watch into a convenient backcountry navigation tool that works offline and independently of your phone. Use your Apple Watch to experience Gaia GPS’s signature navigation features even when you’re off the grid and far beyond the reach of cell service.

With Gaia GPS on your Apple Watch you can also collect trip details and health stats without having to interact with your phone. The watch will record your moving speed, elevation gain, distance travelled, and more when you use Gaia GPS to record your track. Gaia GPS also integrates with Apple Health to keep tabs on your heart rate, steps, and how many calories you burned on your latest adventure.

Whether heading out on a long trek or squeezing in an afternoon trail run, use your Apple Watch to navigate and record your adventure with Gaia GPS conveniently on your wrist. You’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership to navigate routes offline.  

Gaia Topo: The World’s Best Adventure Map Got Even Better

Our cartographers rolled out a whole new version of our flagship map Gaia Topo, chock-full of ground-breaking updates. Gaia Topo now includes more than 150,000 miles of additional National Forest 4×4 roads and trails, brand new worldwide tree cover and relief shading, and point-to-point mileage markers that show distances between trail segments. Dovetailed with a complete overhaul to the map’s style and design, these improvements make Gaia Topo the best map for planning and navigating on your next backcountry adventure.

Best of all, these updates won’t compromise Gaia Topo’s bedrock feature — downloading efficiency. You can expect the same industry-leading download speeds and tiny sizes that you’re used to seeing from Gaia Topo’s revolutionary design. Whether you’re overlanding across multiple states, sightseeing in a vast national park, or backpacking across hundreds of miles of wilderness, you can still download one huge section of the Gaia Topo map to cover your entire journey.

Everyone can access Gaia Topo on the web and in the app. But you’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership to download Gaia Topo for offline navigation in areas without cell service.  

Discover Old Homesteads and Ghost Towns with our New Historical Topo Maps 

Unlock the mystery of the past with our suite of historical topo maps in Gaia GPS. In 2021, we added the official USGS topographic maps from 1895 through 1990 so you can scout for old homesteads and find little known ghost towns by studying these old , historic maps. You’ll need a Gaia GPS Premium Membership or an Outside+ Membership to access our entire collection of historic topo maps. 

You can also go deeper into the history of an area by viewing the Native Lands map. Available for free in the Gaia GPS app and web map, the Native Lands map marks traditional Indigenous territories across the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and, increasingly, worldwide. Learn more about the past, present, and future of Indigenous territories while planning a trip to a new area or adventuring near your backyard.

Gaia GPS Joined Forces with Outside in 2021

Perhaps the biggest news of the year is that Gaia GPS joined the Outside family in February 2021! This match made in heaven combines Gaia GPS’s best backcountry navigation features with leading outdoor journalism from our award-winning titles like Outside magazine, BACKPACKER, Trail Runner, SKI, Climbing, and more. Plus, our Outside+ membership get you unlimited access to adventure films from Outside TV and the complete Warren Miller collection. 

What does this mean as a Gaia GPS user? You can continue to use Gaia GPS just as you are now. Or you can access all the benefits of Gaia GPS Premium and Outside+ in one membership. Compare membership plans to decide which one works best for you.

December 28, 2021
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Gaia GPSGaia GPS Offroad PodcastNew FeaturesNew MapsOffroading

Gaia GPS’s Best New Overlanding Maps and Features of 2021

by Mary Cochenour December 23, 2021
written by Mary Cochenour

How to listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts |Spotify | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | iHeart Radio | Castbox

If you rode some epic trails in 2021, chances are you used Gaia GPS to get you there. But did you know that, while you were sipping camp coffee from your tailgate, the Gaia GPS crew was hard at work rolling out new maps and features? In 2021, Gaia GPS added stacks of new maps and innovative features to help overlanders discover and navigate away from the crowds.

“My technique [for planning trips] kind of changes all the time because I just keep discovering new things and utilizing different features,” says Wade May, host of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast and long-time Gaia GPS user. “I mean, 2021 has been a pretty big year for Gaia, rolling out some new features that are going to be great for offroaders and overlanders.”

Read on to get the details of Wade’s interview with Chris Kracht of 4X Overland Adventures and Matt McClellan of Ozark Overland Adventures about their favorite new maps and features of the year.

Ozark Overland Adventures’ Matt McClellan getting a little off-camber in his Jeep Gladiator.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Integration with Gaia GPS

The most prominent development of 2021 was the integration of Android Auto in July. Gaia GPS synced with Apple CarPlay in February 2020, and Android users demanded the same. When third-party app integration opened up on Android Auto, Gaia GPS’s dev team pounced at the opportunity. Now, offroaders and overlanders can put Gaia GPS’s quality and custom maps right on the dash.

Matt McClellan of Ozark Overland Adventures just got a 2021 Jeep Gladiator, and he uses CarPlay in tandem with his phone to get two viewpoints on the dashboard.

“I can have a wide view of the whole area on my CarPlay screen and then on my phone I can zoom in to where I am … I love it,” McClelland explains on the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast.

Chris Kracht of 4X Overland Adventures taking the desert by storm in his Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Find New Routes with Trails Offroad in Gaia GPS

Looking to put those perfect trails on your rig’s dashboard navigation screen? You’re in luck because in 2021, Gaia GPS also integrated with Trails Offroad — the maker of thousands of highly-detailed curated trail guides in North America. Maybe the most prized new feature of 2021, this partnership lets you push any Trails Offroad route and way points directly to your Gaia GPS account with a simple push of a button.

Chris Kracht of 4X Overland Adventures says he uses Trails Offroad when he’s headed to a new area. “Trails Offroad is fantastic. I’ll use it a lot if I’m in an area that I haven’t had time to research,” Kracht says.

Public Tracks, 3D Maps, and a Handy New Feature that Hasn’t Been Announced Yet

Gaia GPS also rolled out 3D maps, public tracks in the app, and offline snap-to-trail routing in 2021. Plus, there’s a plethora of useful new maps, including National Geographic’s Sawtooth and Sun Valley maps, brand new smoke forecasts, and a heap of updates to Gaia Topo — our most detailed, updated, and nimble map for downloading.

Tune in to Episode 10 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast to hear Wade, Chris, and Matt riff on all the best new features that Gaia GPS put out this year and how these experienced overlanders used them in their trips — big and small. Plus, Wade spills the beans on a novel, not-yet-announced feature in Gaia Topo that is bound to make camp reservations a snap.

It’s easy to get in a rut with the way you plan and navigate, but these updates make it easy for you to access our new maps and tools on your next adventure. Tune in to this snappy episode to get all the details. Plus, learn more about how to use Gaia GPS on the Ozark Overland Adventures YouTune channel. And get overlanding tips and tricks from Chris at 4XOA.

December 23, 2021
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Gaia GPSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Get Worldwide 3D Maps on the Web with Gaia GPS

by Mary Cochenour November 11, 2021
written by Mary Cochenour

Global 3D maps are now live on the web! Scope out new terrain, plan perfect routes, or dream the day away discovering all the world’s natural wonders in 3D mode on any map in Gaia GPS. Topo maps, satellite imagery, weather, and activity-specific maps can all be viewed in 3D mode at www.gaiagps.com/map/.

3D maps allow you to visualize every mile of your route in a realistic way. Just click the 3D button on the map, and watch the canyons plunge and the mountains pop into 3D objects that beg you to explore. Whether you’re backpacking, overlanding, or backcountry skiing, 3D maps will revolutionize the way you research and plan your next adventure.

Research the Terrain, Create Routes, and View Your Tracks on 3D Maps

All of Gaia GPS’s signature navigation and route planning tools can be used in 3D mode. Scour high-resolution satellite 3D maps to discover new backcountry skiing routes. Explore the best maps for overlanding in 3D mode. Check out your next hiking destination in 3D on Gaia Topo. No matter which map you select, the 3D vantage point gives you a new perspective of the landscape, giving away all its little secrets like slope steepness, impassable cliffs, and low-angle terrain.


Create a route in 3D mode so you can see every swell and dip of the land that you’ll encounter on your journey. Drop waypoints in places you’ll need to remember: trail junctions, water sources, planned campsites, and bail-out points.

Pull up your recorded tracks and relive your adventures on Gaia GPS’s high-resolution 3D satellite map. See all the hills you climbed and how much ground you covered on your track, and show your friends at home all the beautiful scenery you passed through.

You can always import GPX, KLM, and other files and data to your Gaia GPS account. And now you can view these files in 3D mode on the web to get a realistic view of the landscape.

How to Use 3D Map Controls to See all Sides of the Mountain

Toggle on 3D Maps

On www.gaiagps.com, pull up any map in the Gaia GPS catalog. Turn on 3D mode by tapping the “3D” button on the lower right-hand corner of the screen. In 3D mode, use the vertical toggle switch to adjust the pitch of the map. Adjusting the pitch allows you to view the map straight down from a bird’s eye view or sprawled out before you as if you are standing on a mountain top.

3d button.png

Use Your Mouse and Keyboard to View Different Aspects on the 3D Map

Rotate the map so you can see all aspects of the terrain in 3D mode by holding down “control” on your keyboard and left-clicking and dragging the mouse. Another way you can orient the map is by holding down the “shift“ key and using your arrow keys to view different aspects of the map. The 3D map will adjust the bearing accordingly. Also, use the mouse controls to zoom in on the map and pan out for a larger view of the area.

Press the 2D button to return to two-dimensional maps.

Try This: Use 3D Maps to Help Learn How to Read Topo Maps

3D maps make it so easy to read the landscape, but they can’t be downloaded for offline use and shouldn’t be a replacement for knowing how to read topographical maps. However, 3D maps provide a great tool for practicing to read contour lines.

Challenge yourself by first looking at Gaia Topo in 2D mode. Pick out a feature on the map, like a mountain or canyon. See how many landscape features you can point out on the topo map. Look for ridges, gullies, couloirs, saddles, and peaks. Drop waypoints on the features you identified. Now switch the map to view in 3D satellite imagery. Check your work. Did the features check out? Were the slopes the pitch you predicted after studying the contour lines on the map?

Going back and forth between 2D maps and 3D maps is a great way to practice reading contour lines on a topo map.

3D Maps are Available to Everyone

View a limited number of 3D maps for free by creating an account at www.gaiagps.com. View the entire Gaia GPS map catalog, that’s hundreds of maps, in 3D mode with a Premium Membership. With a premium membership, you can layer multiple maps on top of each other on the screen, and view them all at once in 3D mode with just a single click of the 3D button.

3D maps cannot be downloaded for offline use.

November 11, 2021
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turn by turn on iphone
Gaia GPSNew Features

Turn-By-Turn Directions Now Available on Gaia GPS

by Abby Levene October 14, 2021
written by Abby Levene

Never miss a turn on the trail again. Turn-by-turn directions are now available in both iOS and Android. Enjoy the same type of step-by-step navigation you’re accustomed to while driving, now while hiking, running, or biking deep off the grid.

Follow turn-by-turn directions for any saved route in the app, regardless of whether you have cell service. Plus, no more guessing how much longer the climb will drag on. In iOS, see your route’s elevation profile and where you are along it. Read on to learn about turn-by-turn directions and how to use them on your next hike, ride, or offroad adventure.

Stay on Track with Turn-by-Turn

turn by turn on Android

Turn-by-turn gives you a visual, on-screen guide of where to head next. It also tells you how far to the next turn, how much of your route you’ve covered, total trip distance, and elevation gain and lost. Follow your route with turn-by-turn directions in the Gaia GPS app and with voice direction.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, or offroading, you can now follow your route with turn-by-turn directions. Once you start turn-by-turn, a compass arrow on top of the screen will show you which direction to head towards. You will also see the distance until your next turn. Click that top bar to get more details, including how much of the route you’ve covered, total distance travelled, and estimated arrival time.

If you’re hiking with poles or biking a technical trail and don’t want to look at your phone for directions, turn on voice command to guide you to your destination.

Turn-by-turn works even when you’re out of cell range or operating in airplane mode to conserve phone battery. If you’re stopping for lunch and want the pause the directions, no problem. Just tap “End” at the top of the screen. From there, you can hit “pause.” Resume directions whenever you like.

Turn-by-turn directions work for routes saved to your phone. However, turn-by-turn may not work for some saved routes, namely those that do not snap to the trail and in places where the route data remains unavailable. In these cases, you will be guided in a straight line to your destination.

See Where you Stand with the Elevation Profile

elevation profile on iPhone

Wondering how far to go until the climb ends? If you’re in iOS, just tap the turn-by-turn banner at the top of the screen to see exactly where you are along the elevation profile of the route. You can also see how many feet of ascent and descent you’ve covered, and how far until the high point.

How to Use Turn-by-Turn Directions

Turn-by-turn routes are available for all modes of transportation, from hiking to biking to offroading. Here’s how to get turn-by-turn directions:

  1. Map out the route you want to follow. Make sure you use the snap-to-trail route planning function in the app or on the web so that you’re route follows the contours of the trail. Alternatively, choose from any route you’ve already saved on the web or in the app.
  2. Download the map if you want to navigate without cell service.
  3. When you’re ready to start your activity, tap on the route. Click the “More” button. Select “Guide Me.” This will pull up turn-by-turn directions.
  4. In iOS, “Guide Me” will start recording your track automatically. In Android, you have the option of recording your track.
  5. See more details like elevation profile, waypoints, and route stats by tapping the turn-by-turn banner at the top of the screen. This details page also includes the route elevation profile and where you are along it.
  6. Once you’re done, simply tap “End” and then press the next “end.”
October 14, 2021
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