Burning eyes, runny nose, and hazy skies indicate that it’s wildfire season. Steer clear of smokey, polluted air on your next adventure with three brand 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 U.S. for today, tomorrow, and an entire weekend. All three maps are free for Gaia GPS users. Learn how to use them to make informed decisions in the backcountry.

The Gaia GPS Offroad podcast launches today with a harrowing story about a run-in with disaster. Experienced overlander Casey Kaiser was on a solo trip in Oregon’s remote desert when all of the sudden his yellow Jeep Wrangler burst into flames, leaving him stranded some 30 miles off-pavement. Tune in to the debut episode to hear how Casey survived this nightmare. Plus, get an inside look at the impressive line up of guests slated for upcoming episodes on our new podcast geared toward dirt road travel.

Calling all history buffs! Unlock the mystery of the past with two new historic topo maps in Gaia GPS. Plus, get the step-by-step guide on using maps to discover little-known ghost towns and deserted homesteads. Turn your next hike or overlanding trip into a walk through time with these simple steps.

Eight years ago, Jenny and Scott Jurek wanted to visit Japan for their honeymoon. But life got in the way, including Jenny’s career as an outdoor gear and apparel designer, Scott’s record-setting Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and the birth of their two children. With two toddlers in tow, the family shipped their bikes to Hokkaido, Japan. They covered 600 miles over a month while carrying their own gear. By the end, the kids didn’t want to go home. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to get the inside scoop on the trip and the Jurek’s wild life.

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!