Knowing how to read a topographic map is the foundation to any backcountry adventure. Visualize the rise and fall of the land, and “see” the depths of canyons, the location of boggy meadows, and the height and shape of a mountain. Learn how to read topo maps like a pro.
Recent Posts
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We realize it’s still winter. But prime campsites for summer are going fast. As you pore over the map scheming up your 2023 adventures, you can snag the campsite of your dreams before it’s too late right from Gaia GPS.
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Come for the unparalleled accuracy and detail. Stay for the handwritten guide notes. Here’s how the most trusted and popular recreation maps from National Geographic Trails Illustrated can take your adventures to the next level.
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Cold weather is your phone battery’s nemesis. These tricks will help you save your phone’s juice so you can keep Gaia GPS up and running.
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From planning your route to navigating in the field, Gaia GPS can take your backcountry skiing to the next level. Gaia GPS Group Product Manager and avid backcountry splitboarder Devin Lehman demystifies the process. Join him for a tour of Mount Bachelor and learn how to use Gaia GPS on your own winter adventures.
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Spice up your next adventure with some delicious recipes and simple tips from Marco Hernandez, founder of Ovrlndx and author of The Overland Cook. While Marco brings an oven to slow bake roasts on the go, you don’t have to go that extreme to dine in style on the road.
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You can now discover backcountry ski zones in Gaia Winter! Complete with worldwide ski resort maps plus trails for Nordic, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fatbiking, and uphill skiing, your go-to winter map just got some major updates. Check out how it’s even better for your adventures.
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Looking for a new hobby, erhm, way of life in 2023? If you enjoy getting off the beaten path, overlanding might be for you. Learn exactly what overlanding even is, what an overloading route looks like, and the type of vehicle and equipment you need. Plus, get tips for planning your first trip.
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As our community dreamed up more routes, downloaded more maps, and covered more ground than ever before, our team remained hard at work making Gaia GPS even better for your adventures. Explore the top maps and features released in 2022.
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Together, our adventures spanned 3.9 trips from earth to sun. Discover how the Gaia GPS community adventured this year, the top 10 most downloaded maps, and some surprising trends.
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Scout avalanche terrain easier than ever before. We’ve updated our Slope Angle map with the latest highest resolution lidar data from the USGS—the gold standard for slope angle shading. Use this crisp, clear map to stay safer on your winter adventures.
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Inject some adventure into your holiday spirit. Harvest your own Christmas tree! It’s an outing you’ll cherish forever. We’re here to help you find the perfect tree for your yuletide cheer.
Maps like slope angle shading, topos, and satellite imagery can help you plan safer backcountry tours—if you know how to use them. Learn a few ways you can use maps as one more tool to mitigate risk and help you avoid avalanches this winter.
On April 8, 2024, North America will witness a historic, awe-inspiring event: a total solar eclipse. Discover where to see it with our brand new North America Eclipse map.