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Quickly Find Campgrounds and Trails with the USFS Recreation Sites Map

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

Plan trips faster with the USFS Recreation Sites overlay in Gaia GPS. This map layer clearly marks U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, trailheads, visitor centers, and other points of interest at high zoom levels, letting you view your options across an entire national forest. You can tap on a site to learn about fees, access restrictions, and more.

The USFS Recreation Sites layer receives constant updates as the USFS adds more sites to the dataset. The clear, intuitive icons stand out on just about any base map and scale as you zoom. So whether you’re trying to pinpoint a trailhead within a densely vegetated satellite image, or looking for campsites during the first stages of trip planning, this layer will help speed up your search.

National Forests Lands: Your Best Bet for Dispersed Camping

The U.S. Forest Service manages around 193 million acres of the United States as national forests and grasslands. These areas serve a wide-reaching mission statement, which encompasses conservation and research, as well as multiple-use recreation. That makes USFS land ideal for hiking, camping, trail running, skiing, and climbing, as well as fishing, hunting, and motorized vehicle use.

Dispersed camping is more likely to be permitted on USFS land than in other, more stringently protected areas. And unlike most national parks, national forests and grasslands are typically pet-friendly.

How to Use the USFS Recreation Sites Layer

The USFS Recreation Sites Layer is available with a Premium Membership across all platforms: iOS, Android, and on gaiagps.com. Add the USFS Recreation Site map by tapping the layers icon. Scroll down and select “Feature/Weather Overlays.” Select the “USFS Recreation Sites” map and tap the “Add” button.

Use the USFS Recreation Sites overlay in conjunction with the USFS Visitor map. The USFS Recreation Sites layer is more up-to-date. However, it’s a work in progress, so there may be some sites currently visible on USFS Visitor map that aren’t yet available on the USFS Recreation Sites overlay.

USFS Recreation Sites and USFS Roads and USFS Roads and Trails make another great pairing. The combination gives you a complete look at Forest Service infrastructure that you can overlay on top of any base map.

The USFS Recreation Sites overlay, paired with the USFS Roads and Trails overlay and the Satellite base map.
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Gaia GPSNew Maps

High-Resolution Geologic Map with Worldwide Coverage

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

Get the Bedrock Geology map layer in Gaia GPS, and you’ll always know exactly what you’re standing on. You’ll also know what’s ahead: If you’ve ever looked at a rock formation and wondered whether it was limestone or granite, this is the map for you.

The Bedrock Geology layer is based on the map source Macrostrat, which combines U.S. Geological Survey data with over 200 different geologic maps at various scales around the world.

The result is an exhaustively cross-referenced world geologic map, and the highest temporal resolution geologic map of North America ever produced. It includes information about the ages, tectonic histories, and minerals in the bedrock around the world.

In the Gaia GPS app, Bedrock Geology uses smart scaling to show you the most pertinent geologic information at any zoom level. Use it to scout out new rock climbing areas, improve your knowledge of natural history, impress your friends, or educate the little ones in your life.

How to Use the Bedrock Geologic Map

The Bedrock Geology map is available to those with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership. Currently, information about rock types and physical origins is only available in iOS, where the map is interactive. However, we’re working on a fix to bring that same functionality to the Android app. In the meantime, Android and web users can reference the map legend (below) to learn more about the geologic ages of the rocks around them.

To get started:

  • Find the Bedrock Geology map in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager.
  • Tap the plus sign to add the layer atop any of your favorite base maps.
  • Toggle the transparency as needed to see feature labels or satellite imagery beneath the color-coded swaths of geologic information.

A Note on Resolution

The resolution of map coverage can vary for different areas of the world. Some continents (like North America) have excellent coverage, and draw data from up to a dozen different geologic maps. In countries that lack publicly available geologic data, however, Bedrock Geology relies on the world geologic map provided by the Geological Survey of Canada.

You can use the interactive map on the Macrostrat sources page to learn more about available coverage for different areas of the world.

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FeaturedGaia GPSHuntingNew Maps

Seek Out the Wild with the New Wilderness Areas Map Overlay

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

In the U.S., a wilderness area is officially defined as a place “retaining its primeval character and influence,” a place “untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” As such, wilderness areas are the gold standard for conservation, preservation, and experiencing nature in its rawest form.

But in the developed American landscape, true wilderness can be hard to find. That’s why Gaia GPS created the new Wilderness Areas Map Overlay. Now, getting your next dose of deep-woods solitude is a whole lot easier.

Why Find Wilderness?

Research has proven time and time again that nature is good for human health. But not all nature is created equal. In fact, some newer studies suggest that the deeper you go, the stronger the effect of nature on stress reduction. That means that out of every land management type, wilderness is the most effective medicine.

Plus, wilderness areas come with their own rules and restrictions, so whether you’re looking for guaranteed primitive experience or just trying to make sure you’re using a drone, 4×4 vehicle, or snowmobile legally, it’s a good idea to know where the boundaries are. With the Wilderness Areas Overlay, you can pinpoint those spots with ease.

How to Use the Wilderness Areas Overlay

The Wilderness Areas map overlay is currently available to Premium Members on Android and iOS platforms, as well as on gaiagps.com. Go to the Feature/Weather Overlay category of the map manager, and add the Wilderness Areas Overlay atop any of your favorite base maps. We recommend using the layer in conjunction with the Roadless Areas Overlay to find even deeper solitude, or adding the Snowfall Forecast or Precipitation Forecast Overlays to help you plan your trip.

In iOS, the layer is interactive. Tap on any wilderness to view the area’s land manager, acreage, and the year it was established, or to discover the best hikes within that zone

All boundary, land area, and land management information is sourced from the nationwide database of www.wilderness.net, a public information hub dedicated to United States wilderness areas.

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AdventuresGaia GPSNew Maps

9 Reasons to Adventure in Japan (And the Best Map to Get You There)

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

Volcanic mountain ranges, hot springs, and world-class powder skiing are enough to put Japan on any adventure traveler’s map. Next time you’re considering an international vacation, here are a few reasons Japan should make your short list.

1) Downloadable topo maps mean it’s easy to navigate.

Whether you’re sightseeing, snorkeling, skiing, or hiking in Japan, you can find your way with the Japan Topo map, downloaded straight to your phone via the Gaia GPS app.

Sourced from the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, Japan Topo includes contour lines, roads, trails, regional boundaries, and points of interest. It’s currently available to both Gaia GPS Members and Premium Members. We recommend pairing it with the Outdoors topo map, which contains labels in the English alphabet.

2) Japan has its own Alps.

The Japanese Alps, a chain of stunning 10,000-foot peaks, forms the crown of Honshu, the country’s largest island. The region’s trails and national parks make it the epicenter of hiking in Japan.

3) It’s home to thousands of hot springs, or “Onsen.”

Nothing says Japan vacation quite like a dip in one of these traditional hot springs. Credit Japan’s prime real estate along the Ring of Fire for its over 2,500 bubbling mineral pools. Hike to one, or find a resort to relax sore muscles aprés adventure.

Map Tip: Many hot springs, or onsen, are labeled on the Japan Topo base map. Use the Hot Spring icon to find them. (All icons are in the map key on the Gaia GPS Map Legends page.)

4) Climbing Mt. Fuji is a hiker’s rite of passage.

Summit one of the world’s most iconic volcanoes with the hike up 12,389-foot Mt. Fuji, the tallest peak in the country. Plan your climb for July through mid-September while temperatures are moderate and trails are open.

5) Japan powder skiing is legendary.

In lists of the snowiest cities in the world, Japanese towns regularly take silver and bronze (coming in just behind Valdez, Alaska—no surprise there) with 200 to 300 inches per year. Add that to the country’s hilly interior, and you get world-class skiing both inbounds and off-piste.

Map Tip: You can scout out ski resorts in Japan by looking for lift lines (the straight lines on Japan Topo or colored runs on Outdoor Topo. See both below).

6) It has coral reefs.

World War II-era shipwrecks, Pacific reefs, and abundant marine life make Japan just as beautiful offshore as on. The Ogasawara Islands offer divers and snorkelers with Carribbean-blue waters, sandy beaches, and pristine rocky shorelines. You’ll also find a number of national parks on the country’s northwest islands.

7) “Forest bathing” is a thing.

Nature lovers, welcome home. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” is the practice of taking in your natural surroundings as a way to reduce stress and promote health and wellbeing. The term was coined in the 1980s, but it reflects a more longstanding cultural appreciation of nature, as well as the value of the Japan’s forested regions and rich biodiversity.

8) Every season puts on a show.

If you can’t plan a vacation to Japan during winter’s fairytale snowfall or summer high season, don’t despair. The fall color show and spring’s famed cherry blossoms (blooming January through May, depending on the region) are just as big of a draw.

9) It’s got history you can hike.

Japan is home to thousands of cultural and historical sites you can visit on foot. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, for example, connects temples and shrines in the Kii mountain range. It’s one of the country’s 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a great way to experience local history while hiking in Japan.

Map Tip: Use the Japan Topo legend to identify shrines, temples, and historical sites. The map below shows one of each, plus a hot spring.

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App UpdatesGaia GPSHow-ToHuntingiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Plan Your Winter Adventure with the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

Whether you’re chasing powder or just trying to avoid a day of postholing in two feet of fresh, the new 24-, 48-, and 72-hour Snowfall Forecast overlays make it easy to dial in your winter trip prep.

Available for both iOS users as well as on gaiagps.com, the Snowfall Forecast overlays use color-coded shading to show the expected snow accumulation. That makes it easy to plan ski trips, pick the right traction and flotation for winter hikes, and assess avalanche conditions. Just combine the Snowfall Forecast overlay with your base map of choice (and, if you’re doing avy analysis, the slope-angle shading overlay.)

Snowfall Predictions Updated Every 6 Hours

The Snowfall Forecast overlays draw data directly from the Winter Weather Desk of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Weather Prediction Center. The Winter Weather Desk uses a combination of predictive models to create its forecasts, which the National Weather Service then reviews and refines. The collaborating teams constantly refresh their models, providing updated reports every six hours.

The forecasts can accurately predict snow accumulation as far as three days (72 hours) in advance, and they cover all of the continental U.S. as well as parts of southern Canada.

How to Use the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

These overlays derive their predictions from NOAA’s probabilistic weather forecasts, which calculate the percent likelihood that a certain amount of snow will accumulate over a given time period. Gaia GPS uses NOAA’s 50th percentile forecasts. That means there’s a 50-percent chance that each shaded area will receive the indicated amount of snow accumulation during the forecast period. (This may seem low, but it gives the user the best estimate of land area likely to be affected by snow. For that reason, it’s the percentile most commonly shown on other popular forecasting sites.)

Add the Snowfall Forecast Overlay to Any Map in Gaia GPS

Available for gaiagps.com and iOS users with Premium Memberships, the Snowfall Forecast overlays can be viewed with an internet connection. Since the forecasts are always changing, they can’t be downloaded for offline use. However, when you look at the snowfall forecast in the app, your device will cache snapshots of the areas you viewed. The cached data will remain available on your device for 24 hours.

From the Map Sources menu, navigate to the Feature/Weather Overlays category. Pick the forecast overlay that suits your planning needs, and add it atop any base map. Set the transparency to between 30 and 40 percent for optimal visibility.

Check out this video for more tips on adding new map sources in the app:

A Note on Safety

Weather forecasts make great planning tools, but you should always research the terrain and alternate routes ahead of time, and cross-reference any forecast you use with several others for the most accurate predictions. And no matter what the reports say, plan for inclement weather, just in case.

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