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camping

Planning a Weekend Car Camping Trip with Gaia GPS: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Tyler Jackson November 12, 2024

written by Tyler Jackson

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.

November 12, 2024

Gaia GPS New Features

Book Campsites Right From Gaia GPS

by Abby Levene February 23, 2023

written by Abby Levene

We realize it’s still winter. But put on your sandals and sunscreen because it’s time to snag that primo campsite for summer. Many campgrounds in your favorite national parks, state parks, and national forests take reservations six months in advance. That means the best campsites in the most desirable places around America are going quick for peak summer dates. Now you can make those campsite reservations in a flash right from our Gaia Topo map.

Just open Gaia GPS and poke around the map to find that campsite with the spectacular sunrise view. Or search for a campsite far away from the crowds. Either way, you can discover and reserve the campsite of your dreams right from the map. Simply click on a campground and Gaia GPS provides the link on recreation.gov to snag a reservation.

In addition to reservations, recreation.gov gives you every detail you could possibly want about a campsite. View photos to see if the campsite has the spectacular mountain view. Find out how many cars are allowed, and if pets and campfires are permitted. Even see if there’s a fire ring or a grill.

Recreation.gov Campsites in Gaia Topo

The ultimate tool for reserving public campsites in the US is now accessible right from our app. An official US government resource, Recreation.gov is the go-to reservation hub for 12 federal partners including the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Rec.gov compiles reservations, venue details, and descriptions for over 130,000 recreation locations and more than 4,200 sites and activities around the country.

Plan a family trip to a national park. Or scheme up a solo bikepacking adventure through National Forest land. No matter your style, this new reservation integration makes your life a little easier. Map out your trip and book your reservations all together in one place.

Find All the Campsite Info You Need

A campsite on rec.gov shown on Gaia GPS.

Whether you’re a planner who loves to book campsites far in advance, or someone who prefers to fly by the seat of their pants, check out campgrounds in Gaia Topo to discover everything you need to know about staying there. See where each campsite is located. Find the outhouses and water spigots. Even see where the campground host resides.

Once you find a campsite that looks enticing, click the link to recreation.gov to view:

photos of the campsite (see if there’s a view!)
pet regulations
campfire rules
if RVs are permitted, and if so, maximum length
if tents are permitted

You also get site details, including:

if there is electricity
if the site is accessible by foot
check-in and check-out times
maximum number of people
if overnight camping is permitted
capacity rating
proximity to water
whether there’s shade
amenities, including if there’s a picnic table, fire pit, and grill or fire ring

And finally, scroll down for need-to-know details including whether there is water and if there are any site fees.

How to Book Campsites in Gaia GPS

Campsite reservations are found in our cornerstone Gaia Topo map. To reserve campsites from Gaia GPS, start by making sure Gaia Topo is selected as an active map layer. Gaia Topo also happens to be the premier map for dreaming up your adventures. Our cartographers designed this map to make key features for backcountry travel, like trails, scenic overlooks, and campgrounds, pop out from the landscape.

Explore Gaia Topo to find campgrounds at your destination. Look for blue campground symbols that say “Reservation Information” under the name. Zoom in further to spy individual campsites, restrooms, and the camp host site.

Once you’ve found your dream campsite, click on “Reservation Information.” The recreation.gov link to reserve campsites in that campground will pop up so you can snag your favorite site before it’s too late. Keep in mind that many public campgrounds take reservations six months in advance. And the best campsites book up quickly! Of course, please be mindful of recreation.gov’s rules and reservation policies.

Plan, Reserve, and Navigate All in One Place

With world-class maps and route-building tools, Gaia GPS provides the ultimate platform to plan your trips. Whether you’re backpacking in the Rockies, overlanding across the southwest, or simply looking for the ultimate car camping spot, choose from our deep collection of maps tailored to your adventure. Map out your route with our quick and easy snap-to-trail route builder so you know exactly where to go.

As you map out your route, you can seamlessly reserve campsites with one click. Drop a waypoint on the map to remember where the campsite is. Your future self trying to find your campsite at midnight in the pitch black will thank you. Speaking of finding your way, go ahead and download the map after you plan your route. That way you can navigate along the route and to your campsite even if you have no cell service at all.

Fun fact: Gaia Topo is so efficient that you can download the map for your entire state in a matter of minutes without clogging up precious phone storage. Don’t worry, you still get the most precise and detailed backcountry map on the market.

Recreation.Gov Campsite Reservations are Available to Everyone

Everyone can access the Gaia Topo map and make campsite reservations within it. You just need to create a free Gaia GPS account. To access our entire collection of maps, including hi-res satellite imagery, USFS, MVUM, and National Geographic Trails Illustrated, you’ll want to upgrade to Gaia GPS Premium.

Premium also unlocks our comprehensive suite of terrain features including weather, winter, and wildfire maps. Plus, with Premium, you can download your maps to use offline so you can find your way even when you’re out of cell service. And you can print maps so that you always have a paper backup.

February 23, 2023

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast How-To Offroading User Profiles

Cook Marco Hernandez’s Mouthwatering Camp Meals

by Mary Cochenour January 25, 2023

written by Mary Cochenour

One of the best aspects of car camping is that you can bring any fancy kitchen contraption that fits in your vehicle. Filet mignon on the BBQ, sunset margaritas poured from the blender, and homemade chimichurri can be standard camp fare if you plan your menu in advance. If you’re Marco Hernandez, author of The Overland Cook and the face behind the popular offroading brand Ovrlndx, you toss an oven, yes an oven, in your kit and slow-bake a roast while you make your way towards camp.

“By the time we get to the camp, I just open that oven and dinner is ready,” Marco says of his new 12-volt oven. “I think this is going to be a game-changer.”

Marco admits that not everyone needs an elaborate kitchen set up to cook mouthwatering meals at camp. He explains on the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast this week that some of the best meals can come from cooking burritos under the hood of your Jeep. You read that right. Marco has cooked burritos on his engine.

A Baja California native, Marco shares his famous south-of-the-border recipes. From his traditional birria taco recipe to his secret ingredient for delicious salsa, Marco dishes out his tips for serving up gourmet meals out on the trail. Plus, Marco breaks down all the gear and upgrades on his new brand new Jeep 392, dubbed by the manufacturer as “the quickest, most powerful Wrangler” ever made. Marco confirms that his new Jeep has power.

You can pick up a copy of Marco’s book The Overland Cook (available in English and Spanish) on his website ovrlndx.com and follow his YouTube channel to watch Marco in action.

Impress your friends on your next camping trip with Marco’s famous and easy-to-make chimichurri recipe, an Argentinian sauce that tastes great as a topping for meats or spooned over toasted sourdough bread as an appetizer.

*Ovrlndx’s Marco Hernandez in front of his new Jeep 392*

Get Marco’s Chimichurri Recipe

3 bunches of parsley, finely chopped
2 cups of olive oil
1/3 cup of red wine vinegar
8 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon red pepper chili flakes
a pinch of salt

Step 1: Combine parsley, garlic, red chili pepper flakes, paprika, and oregano in a bowl. Mix until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Add salt, ground black, pepper, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.

Step 3: Mix until all ingredients are completely incorporated.

Step 4: Pour into a glass jar and let sit for 24 hours.

Tip: Chimichurri sits better after letting it sit for at least 24 hours. The flavors will incorporate into the mix.

Meet Wade May, Host of the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast

After a 43-year career of flying A-10 and F-16 fighter jets for the United States Air Force and Boeing 737s as a commercial airline captain, Gaia GPS Offroad podcast host Wade May has put his feet firmly on the ground. With over 20 years of offroading and overlanding experience, Wade constantly seeks out the serenity of remote backcountry adventures with his trusty 4-Runner, “Bullit.“ Between extended solo overland adventures, Wade shares the lessons learned from his broad experience in the sky and on the trail in overland workshops, classrooms, writings, and, of course, while hosting the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast.

January 25, 2023

Gaia GPS How-To New 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?

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 M embership .

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

Adventures Featured Gaia GPS How-To New Maps

Using Gaia GPS to Find Free Camping in National Forests

by Ashli Baldwin March 9, 2022

written by Ashli Baldwin

Many National Forests across the United States allow free dispersed camping. This post will show you how to use Gaia GPS to find free camping spots before heading out and navigate when you get there.

Dispersed camping refers to camping outside of established campgrounds, typically with no amenities like bathrooms or running water. Sites vary from drive-up to walk-in only.

Get the Right Maps in Gaia GPS

The best maps to plan for off-grid camping in National Forests include:

USFS Classic: This map offers detailed coverage in many designated USFS areas.
USFS 2016: An update to USFS Classic, the 2016 map shows some forest service roads missing on the Classic map, but lacks private boundaries. Read more about USFS 2016 here.
Gaia Topo: The proprietary Gaia GPS base map — this map rocks. If you’re not using it yet — why?
Public Land (US): A shaded map meant to overlay on any basemap. The important color you’re looking for here is green, which means US Forest Service.
MVUM (USFS): The USFS’ Motor Vehicle Use Maps overlay shows roads styled to indicate seasonality and accessibility. Tap a road for details on use restrictions and access dates.
USFS Roads & Trails: An overlay of maintained routes, 4×4 trails, backroads, and little-known paths across U.S. national forests and grasslands. All roads are labeled to indicate their level of maintenance and accessibility by passenger vehicles.

A Premium Membership allows you access to these maps and the ability to layer maps together. This feature is key so that you can layer Public Land with USFS maps for the ultimate free campsite search experience.

Using the Maps to Find Free Camping Spots

Below you can see an example of a layered map in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. It shows layered maps using Gaia Topo, USFS Classic, Public Land (US), and MVUM (USFS).

You can see the opacity settings used:

How to Find a Dispersed Camping Spot

You’ll want to find an area that is:

In green (National Forest)
Typically along or at the end of a Forest Service road (but not necessarily)
Check the usage periods for the road for accessibility
Make sure there aren’t a lot of buildings in the area (shown as black marks on USFS maps)

You’ll always want to get confirmation that the area you’ve picked is indeed okay for dispersed camping. Rules and regulations can vary widely, and temporary fire bans may be in effect. Always check before you go and note any posted signs along your route.

Using 3rd Party Resources and Maps

A quick Google search may yield some results for locations of free campsites in your National Forest, but more often than not, these sites don’t come openly advertised. This keeps the area impact low, and your special spot a secret.

If you’re willing to spend the time, here are a few additional resources to help you find that perfect spot:

Call the ranger stations. They know the forest better than anyone else, and will typically advise you on the best places to spend the night.
Find specialized maps for your National Forest. Some even list known dispersed camping sites. Here is an example from Nicolet, where the brown tent symbol with a white background represents a common dispersed free camping area.

Planning for Your Trip

Plot waypoints at the campsites you find and/or plan a route to your desired location. It’s best to plan several backup locations in case the one you want is already taken.

If your forest service area offers printable PDF maps, consider adding them to Gaia GPS. You can follow these steps to geo-reference your maps and add them to your account.

Most importantly, download maps before you leave so that you can view your location and navigate offline.

Leave No Trace

When you’re in the Forest, Leave No Trace. Pick up your garbage and follow all rules and regulations.

Find an amazing spot? Keep it a secret!

Disclaimer: Always bring a back up map. Rules and regulations may vary depending on your area. Always check with the responsible land management agency before heading out.

March 9, 2022

A Toyota 4Runner pulling a camping trailer driving down a dirt road with desert mountains in the background

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast New Features New Maps Offroading

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

by Mary Cochenour December 23, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

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

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Owls and UFOs with Ultralight Expert Mike Clelland

by Abby Levene September 9, 2021

written by Abby Levene

Ultralight backpacking expert Mike Clelland has slept outside as often as possible for decades. Cowboy camping one night 15 years ago, something happened that changed Mike’s life forever. He tried to dismiss it, but it happened again. And again. That series of events sent Mike down the unlikely path of studying how powerful coincidences connect us to the supernatural.

In this very special episode of Out and Back, Mike dives into the mysterious world of owl synchronicities — and their connection to UFO abductions. Yes, you read that correctly.

Mike sits on a rock while prepping lunch.

It all started with a highly charged owl encounter on top of a mountain.

“I saw the owls. And I heard a voice in my head that said, ‘This has something to do with the UFO’s. You are an abductee,” Mike recounts on Out and Back. “To feel that, and to hear it in my head, it changed the direction of my life. I started exploring the symbolic meaning of owls and their connection to the UFO contact experience. And it took over my life.”

Mike is a masterful storyteller and will leave you clutching your seat (or trekking poles) as he shares his first-hand encounters with owls and extraterrestrial life. He weaves his own narrative into the rich history of owl lore, dreams, shamanistic stories, and other first-hand accounts to reveal this mystical world lurking in plain sight.

Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you’ll want to tune in to hear Mike’s perspective. At the very least, you will never see the world the same way again.

Check out Mike’s book The Messengers, which dives into the overlapping worlds of owls, synchronicities, and UFO abduction. His companion book Stories from The Messengers goes further into the symbolic and literal links between owls and UFOs. Mike is also the illustrator and author behind a series of books on mastering outdoor techniques. And finally, check out Mike’s longstanding blog, Hidden Experience, and his podcast, The Unseen with Mike Clelland.

Last Episode: Overcoming Backpacking Fears with She Dreams of Alpine

Allison smiles next to a trail sign on the JMT.

Newbie and seasoned backpackers alike all hold fears around backcountry travel. Outdoor Backpacking Educator and Empowerment Coach Allison Boyle shares how to overcome them on the last episode of the Out and Back podcast. Allison is the face behind the ultra-popular blog and coaching service She Dreams of Alpine, which teaches women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient in the backcountry.

Allison shares her stumbling blocks when she started adventuring outside, and how her fears initially continued to grow as she gained more experience. She talks about the top three fears beginner backpackers face, and how to overcome them. She explains “trip resistance,” that dark cloud of anxiety that seems to float over your head the week before any trip — no matter your experience level. Learn how to quiet that inner voice telling you to abandon your plans, so you can get out and have a blast on the trail. Tune in to learn Allison’s favorite breakfast foods in the backcountry, the one item she can’t leave behind, and how she turned her outdoor passion into a career.

Follow She Dreams of Alpine on Instagram, check out the blog for tried and true advice (including the free Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Starter Kit), and consider signing up for She Dreams of Alpine’s Backpacking Badass program to learn how to become a confident and self-sufficient backpacker.

September 9, 2021

Gaia Topo with Public Land (US) and Private Land (US) overlays on gaiagps.com

App Updates Gaia GPS How-To

Navigate Public and Private Lands with Gaia GPS

by Abby Levene June 24, 2021

written by Abby Levene

Find hidden game reserves, connect the dots on your big hiking loop, and camp in solitude using the Public Land (US) and Private Land (US) maps. This duo can be used in tandem to quickly and easily decipher public and private land right in Gaia GPS.

Always know where you can and can’t go with this toolkit in your pocket. Avoid trespassing, or see landownership if you want to ask for permission to pass through. Find those peaceful, obscure camp spots so you can beat the crowds. View who manages public land areas so you can find more info about camping regulations, vehicle accessibility, and hunting laws. Plus, the Public Land map just got even better. We’ve added 1.5 million acres to this map to give you an even more comprehensive look at federally-managed land across the US.

Whether you’re route planning on your desktop at home or navigating offline in the field, the Public and Private Land maps can assist on any adventure. Each map provides coverage across the entire US. Read on to learn how to use the Public and Private Lands maps on your next trip.

Public Land (US) Map

Discover state forests to explore in your backyard, or BLM land for camping during your next road trip. America’s public lands provide some of the best resources for hiking, offroading, bikepacking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing — you name it. The Public Land (US) map gives you the most current and comprehensive data of these government-managed areas.

Hikers, hunters, overlanders, and anyone exploring areas of mixed land ownership may want to consider using this layer, which emphasizes:

National and state forests
Parks and monuments
Wildlife refuges
Conservation lands and game preserves
Bureau of Land Management areas

Color-coded federal lands let you easily identify which government agency manages an area. Plus, this map just got even better. We’ve added 1.5 million acres of public land to the map to ensure you get the most accurate and comprehensive coverage available. This expanded coverage encompasses everything from nearly 327,904 more acres of land managed by the National Parks Service (an area the size of Grand Teton National Park) to 106,447 more acres of Forest Service land (the size of Antigua and Barbuda combined).

The updated layer draws on the most exhaustive and precise datasets available so you can find secret caches of public land you may never find otherwise. It displays the privately-held inholdings in federal and state parks that may not appear elsewhere, as well as smaller public lands missing from many popular maps. Bear in mind that not all of the areas in the layer will be open to the public, and watch for any restricted zones within otherwise accessible lands.

Private Lands (US) Map

Use the Public Land (US) layer in conjunction with its complement, the Private Land (US) map, to get access to land ownership data for every single state across the US. Various outdoor enthusiasts and professionals ranging from hunters to conservation officers and first responders can easily access critical information using the Private Land map. If you’re planning a hunt in a new zone, use the Private Land map to quickly scout the area and surrounding property lines. Bird hunters pursuing everything from pheasants in South Dakota to mallards on the US flyways also enjoy the quick access to land ownership data.

The Private Land map lets users easily view land ownership information and parcel sizes. Just tap on a land parcel to get more ownership information, including the address if publicly available. Property lines are marked by bright yellow boundaries that you can’t miss.

Downloading offline maps with the US Private Land overlay will benefit game wardens working with land owners in remote areas. Search and rescue personnel can use Gaia GPS as a single source for coordinating search efforts in areas with multiple land owners. Using both the Private Land map and the area feature, firefighters can use Gaia GPS to complete wildfire incident reports.

How to use the Public and Private Land Maps

Pair the Public and Private Land maps on top of your favorite base map, such as Gaia Topo or the Satellite Imagery layer, to get a quick and clear sense of land designation. Layering the Public and Private Lands overlays on top of the Satellite Imagery map proves especially useful for hunters who want a crisp areal view with property lines. Combining the Private Land and Public Land maps along with state-specific game management unit overlays will let you focus on the hunt and not worrying about where the big bull or buck you are stalking goes.

While you can see public land information right in Gaia Topo, area shading in the Public Land map gives you an even clearer picture. Add the Private Lands map to make sure you avoid trespassing, or so you can get permission to pass through a landowner’s property. Get detailed directions for layering maps together here.

Get the Public and Private Land Maps

Public Land (US) and Private Land (US) maps are available with a Gaia GPS Premium membership. Premium comes with the ability to layer maps on top of each other so you can see public and private land markers as well as topographic detail, landmarks and waypoints, and satellite imagery.

Going Premium also lets you download maps for offline use so you can always find your way and see whose land you’re on while in the field. A Premium Membership gives you access to 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.

June 24, 2021

iPhone screenshot showing BLM land in Gaia Topo.

App Updates Gaia GPS How-To

Find Free Camping with Updated Gaia Topo

by Abby Levene June 9, 2021

written by Abby Levene

Nothing says summer like eating s’mores in the woods and sleeping under the stars. With 10 million new campers in the US last year, the catch is finding where to go. Newly updated Gaia Topo now includes all BLM land — where you can find places to camp for free and without a reservation.

If you don’t mind foregoing amenities, BLM and other public land provide a trove of private and peaceful campsites for you to enjoy. Our flagship map now clearly shows all 248 million acres of BLM-managed public land, as well as expanded state public lands. Highlighting these public lands in the map that you know and love means you can navigate the forest roads, avoid trespassing, and find the best dispersed camping all in one map.

Read on to learn how to spot BLM and state-owned lands in Gaia Topo. You’ll also master how to use the map to find the best free campsites.

Camp for Free and Without a Reservation on Dispersed Sites

A tent with a sleeping bag and mat next to it in the desert.

Dispersed camping simply means camping outside of a designated campground. This includes everything from pulling your car up to a fire pit on the side of a forest service road, to cowboy camping next to the trail during your backpacking trip. Dispersed campsites don’t include the typical amenities of a campground, such as running water, bathrooms, and a camp host. But they do generally afford more privacy and seclusion. Plus, you can find a dispersed campsite at the last minute, and it won’t cost you a penny.

Once you’re prepared from safety and comfort perspectives, dispersed camping can provide a peaceful getaway for even the biggest procrastinator. The catch is that you can’t just camp anywhere you wish. Much of BLM land around the country allows for dispersed camping, as does National Forest Land. You can find these areas using the freshly updated Gaia Topo.

Full BLM Land Coverage Now in Gaia Topo

You can now easily see BLM, state, and locally-managed land right in Gaia Topo. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land accounts for 248 million acres of public land. That’s over 10% of American soil. State and local entities own an additional 199 million acres, accounting for another 8.7% of the US. We’ve expanded both BLM and state land coverage, as well as made these areas easier to spot in the map.

Recognize BLM land by its yellow shading in Gaia Topo. Be on the lookout for BLM land especially when you’re traveling out west, where most BLM land is located. National Forest Land, Wilderness Areas, and other locally managed lands are now shaded in hues of green. Check out the Gaia Topo Legend for a full list of color-coded public lands in the map.

Zoom in on BLM land to see the field office that manages that parcel of land. When you zoom into state and locally managed land, you’ll see if it’s state trust land, state forest, or another publicly accessible state-managed land area.

Find Dispersed Camping on Public Land

iPhone screenshot of Gaia Topo shows BLM land shaded in yellow.

Use Gaia Topo to find dispersed camping on BLM, National Forest, and other public lands. Dispersed campsites tend to be in undeveloped areas, yet right along county and forest service roads. These sites are usually quite accessible for car camping yet feel remote.

To find dispersed campsites, look for BLM and National Forest Land with access roads in less developed areas. Chances are you will find a place to camp. Dispersed campsites are usually marked by a fire ring. Check the BLM website, call the field office, or inquire at the ranger’s station to make sure dispersed camping is allowed in the area.

Choose a pre-existing campsite if possible, and camp at least 200 feet away from water sources. Of course, leave no trace rules apply to dispersed camping. Make sure you practice the seven LNT principles. And only build a fire if permitted in the area during that time. Check the local county or state website to see if a fire ban is in place.

To ensure you can navigate and find a campsite even if you drive out of cell service, download your map for offline use. Gaia Topo’s tiny file size makes this easy to do without taking up too much storage space on your phone. In fact, you can download the map for the entire state just to be safe.

Gaia Topo is Available to Everyone

Access Gaia Topo on the web at www.gaiagps.com/map/ and in the Gaia GPS app on both Android and iOS. With Gaia Topo you can search for hikes in your area, record tracks in the field, and create a custom route on the map for free. Create a free account to save your routes and tracks so you can revisit them later.

Get a premium membership to download Gaia Topo and take the map offline with you in areas without cell service. A Premium Membership also gives you access to 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.

June 9, 2021

Sonya and Necota smile while standing on a large rocky plain. They are wearing matching shirts that say "camping, overlanding, rebelling, biking, diversify, hiking, rafting, kayaking, climbing."

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Camping and Overlanding Save Atlanta Couple’s Marriage

by Abby Levene February 11, 2021

written by Abby Levene

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After 10 years of marriage, Sonya and Necota Staples reached the brink of divorce. They had gotten so caught up in the business of living that they drifted apart. That’s when these city dwellers tried something new: camping. That one trip changed the trajectory of their lives.

In this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Out and Back podcast, Abby and Shanty bring you the story of Sonya and Necota Staples and how the outdoors saved their marriage.

Sonya and Necota met as physics majors at North Carolina A&T, a historically Black college in Greensboro, North Carolina. They bonded while studying together outside. Study dates eventually led to picnic dates, walks through botanical gardens and trips to foreign places. Their adventures didn’t always go as planned, but they continued to enjoy the peace and serenity of experiencing the outdoors together.

The Staples got married and settled down in Atlanta. Here, the allures of the city won out over nature. As they settled into their prescribed roles, their relationship started to crumble. They continued to struggle until their marriage counselor gave them one crucial piece of advice — say yes to each other.

Saying yes led to their first camping trip together. Things got off to a rough start. But by the end of the weekend, they were hooked.

“It was new territory for us to be outside and have to figure it out,” Sonya says. “So it did give us more space to say, you know, no one is an expert here. And we really learned what the other person’s strengths and weaknesses were.”

Tune in to learn how camping and overlanding rejuvenated the Staples’ marriage. The Staples share their story openly and honestly, with humor and insight along the way. They talk about what inspired them to start the Youtube channel and social media presence StaplesInTents. And they get into why they swapped out their BMWs for a Land Cruiser and adventures off road. In fact, the Staples have gone overlanding all over the world, including overseas to Columbia.

Check out Sonya and Necota’s blog StaplesInTents, YouTube channel, and Instagram. And connect with their other Instagram handle, BlackPeopleOffroad.

Necota and Sonya smile at each other while Necota sits in the back of their car and Sonya sits in a camping chair behind the car.

Episode Highlights:

2:30: Meet Sonya and Necota Staples.
3:25: Sonya and Necota met as physics major at North Carolina A&T State University, a historically black college in Greensboro. It wasn’t love at first sight.
5:20: Sonya and Necota started studying together outside. Eventually their friendship leads to more.
8:40: Sonya and Necota strengthened their relationship hiking the gorges in upstate New York.
10:00: Sonya and Necota tell their crazy engagement story. It did not go according to plan.
14:45: Sonya and Necota move to Atlanta, and they settle into city life.
15:30: Sometimes, Sonya went camping with her best friend Teressa. Necota never went.
17:00: Sonya and Necota’s marriage starts to unravel.
18:30: The Staples start marriage counseling. Things don’t improve, until their marriage counselor gives them one key piece of advice.
19:40: The marriage counselor’s advice came at the perfect time. The Staples go camping for the first time together.
20:30: The camping trip starts off very poorly.
21:50: Sonya says something to Necota that flips a switch in his head. He makes the choice to be happy.
23:00: Necota shares why a campfire is so important to him.
23:45: The Staples go all-in on camping.
25:00: How camping and connecting with nature healed the Staples’ marriage.
30:00: The Staple’s start their blog, Youtube channel and social media account StaplesInTents. Tune in to find out why.
32:33: How the Staples’ love for shopping intersections with their passions for camping and overlanding.
34:00: Sonya and Necota purchase their first offroad vehicle, Frank the Tank, and go on their first overlanding trip to Tray Mountain. A few things go wrong.
35:50: The Staples become seasoned overlanders, overlanding across the US and in South America.
37:00: The Staples start their second social media account, BlackPeopleOffroad.
40:00: 2020 got off to a rough start for the Staples, even before the pandemic made its way to the US. They turn to camping and overlanding, and realize how far they’ve come.

Last Episode: Luke Smithwick Brings Himalayan Backcountry Skiing into Focus

Smithwick skis down a steep wind-swept slope. Tall jagged peaks are visible above clouds of snow in the background.

Tune into the last episode of Out and Back to get the inside scoop on the next great backcountry skiing destination: the Himalayas. Shanty and Mary catch up with Luke Smithwick, one of the most prolific ski mountaineers and guides in the world. Smithwick is 200 lines deep into his Himalaya 500 skiing project — a mission to highlight 500 of the most unique and beautiful backcountry runs on the world’s tallest mountains. With more than 75 Himalayan mountain expeditions to his name, Smithwick unravels the mystery of skiing in places like Tibet, India, and Nepal.

“It’s truly a Wild West. It’s just very remote. We take several flights to get out there from Katmandu and then we go with horses up to the snow line,” Smithwick says of one of his expeditions in the Himalaya. “The skiing starts at around 11,000 feet and goes up to 18,000 or 19,000 feet. The snow is really good. And I just love the people out there. It’s like a different world.”

Smithwick tells us why the Himalayas could become the next all-time backcountry ski destination. Tune in to find out what it takes to get on one of Smithwick’s guided Himalayan ski mountaineering trips, learn about his mission to ski 500 classic Himalayan descents, and get his take on the best zones in this colossal mountain range.

Learn more about Smithwick on his personal Instagram page or his Himalaya 500 page. Check out all the 2021 skiing and climbing expeditions that Smithwick plans to offer through his company Himalaya Alpine Guides.

Next Episode: Climber and Entrepreneur Matt Segal on Finding Balance

Matt hangs from a rock wall with the snowy Colorado plains in the background. He's lead climbing the route, with one hand hanging onto the wall and the other hand holding the rope. — Photo: Ian Glass

In the next episode of the Out and Back podcast, Abby and Shanty catch up with professional rock climber and business owner, Matt Segal. After moving to Boulder, Colorado, for college, Segal quickly established himself as one of the best trad and sport climbers in the country. He sent first ascents on the Iron Monkey (5.14) in Eldorado Canyon, the Orangutan Overhang (5.14-) in Independence Pass, CO and Air China (5.13d R) in Liming, China.

But simply excelling at sport was never enough for Segal. He combined his climbing expertise with his degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies with an emphasis in Tibetan Buddhism to assist on an archaeological exploration of 800-year-old man made caves high on rock faces in the Mustang Region of Nepal.

Fed up with drinking crappy coffee on expeditions and with one eye always fixed on what’s next, Segal started his own instant coffee company — Alpine Start. In 2017, Alpine Start was just getting off the ground when Segal suffered a near-death paragliding accident. Shattering his body only motivated him further to make the best coffee possible. Segal experimented with medicinal herbs, plants, and vitamins during the healing process, inspiring him to create products that give you more than a caffeine jolt.

All of that led to Alpine Start’s newest venture: Coffee with Benefits and Matcha with Benefits.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Segal goes deep into the recesses of his mind after breaking nearly every bone in his body, while simultaneously nursing a broken heart. He also gets into how he combines his passion for the outdoors with a passion to protect these places he loves to play.

Keep up with Segal on Instagram. And check out Alpine Start’s Kickstarter campaign while it’s still live throughout February.

Meet the Hosts

Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

Abby Levene

Abby smiles through a face caked in snow and ice.

When she’s not busy writing and editing content for Gaia GPS, Abby Levene can be found trail running, biking, and skiing around her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. In 2017, Abby broke her wrist eight miles into her second ultra. She went on to win the race, and has been hooked on the sport since. She’s passionate about using her graduate education in environmental journalism and her love for playing outside to tell stories about the issues, people, and places of the outdoors.

February 11, 2021

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