We’ve been looking at ways to make the huge array of features offered by Gaia GPS easier to use and understand. To do that, I’m going to offer a set of real-world “case studies” on the best practices for using Gaia GPS. We’ll post these studies as a series on our blog, and we’d love to have you join us on the adventure! Join me this week as I plan a weekend car camping trip and dive into some pro tips along the way.

This weekend I set out on an adventure in the Sawatch Range in my “trusty” pickup truck, scouting out campsites for the fast-approaching ski season. 

Step 1: Exploring Layers for Road Access (MVUM Layer)

Thursday evening rolls in, chilly with blue skies—perfect for a planning sesh. I fire up Gaia GPS on my laptop and switch to the MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) layer, courtesy of the US Forest Service. This layer shows different forest service roads/trails and their level of access, ideal for scouting the best routes to potential campsites. The MVUM layer includes info on seasonal access, road type, and some limited info on the type of vehicles the route is open to and appropriate for. 

• Pro Tip: Use the map legend to interpret different road access levels. It’s a quick way to identify vehicle access types for specific trails or roads.

Step 2: Checking Cell Coverage

Next, I want to know if I can expect to have cell service where I’m going. Gaia GPS offers five cell coverage maps to choose from, covering AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, US Cellular, and All Carriers. I selected Verizon, my provider, to assess signal strength in the area. This helps me prepare to either bring my Starlink or to let my friends know that I’ll be out of contact for a while.

Choose your cell coverage map by clicking on the map layers icon, searching for ‘cell coverage, & choosing your preferred cell provider map.

• Pro Tip: Use cell coverage layers as a quick reference. Once you’ve checked your coverage, remove the layer to reduce clutter in the app.

Step 3: Downloading Offline Maps

After planning my route and scoping out campsites, I download the essential offline maps for the region. Gaia Topo is my go-to layer—it offers rich detail and manageable file sizes for downloading. This ensures I’m never stuck without navigation, even in areas without cell service.

• Pro Tip: Balance your map download area to cover essential regions while conserving storage space. Consider breaking up larger regions into a series of smaller areas for a more modular approach and to decrease download times.

Step 4: Setting Waypoints and Navigation

With my maps ready, I drop a waypoint in the Twin Lakes area as my destination. Gaia GPS allows you to tap a waypoint and get driving directions to the location through your preferred navigation app, making it easy to switch from highway to trail navigation. 

• Pro Tip: Save frequent destinations as waypoints for quick access. Re-use these waypoints to streamline your trip setup.

With these steps, my initial planning stage is complete. Gaia GPS on the web makes it easy to set up your adventure and avoid unexpected hurdles. In the next post, we’ll switch gears to explore Gaia GPS’s mobile app features for navigation on the go.