Tag:

overlanding

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

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 Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading

Inside the Never-Ending Road Trip with Dan Grec

by Mary Cochenour November 20, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Since 2009, Dan Grec has traveled the world in his Jeep Wrangler, searching for connection in the local culture and beauty in wild landscapes. After some 90,000 miles behind the windshield, the author of the popular adventure travel books The Road Chose Me Vol.1 & 2, finally returns home to Australia.

But Grec’s homecoming won’t be filled with the rest and relaxation you’d expect after a decade-long road trip. Grec will continue his odyssey to see and experience the world up-close and personal. This time, he returns to his birthplace to tackle Australia’s classic routes and unknown trails. He expects to be out in the bush for at least 12 to 18 months.

“The more I read about and learn about some of the iconic spots around Australia, I think to myself, ‘I really want to experience that because I want to understand my own country,” Grec says. “I’ve seen way more of the US and Canada than I have seen of Australia.”

Overlanding Africa

Grec stands on his Jeep tire, in front of pyramids.

Grec’s Australian expedition begins any moment now and comes on the heels of his 54,000-mile adventure around Africa. From the Sahara desert to the grasslands of South Africa, Grec chose muddy backroads and quiet villages over paved highways and bustling cities. Those roads took him through 35 countries over three years.

Each of Africa’s diverse ecological regions offered top-notch overlanding routes, opportunities for dispersed camping, and friendly locals willing to lend a hand when needed. Grec said that while it’s easy to get swept away in Africa’s giraffes, elephants, gorillas, and zebras, it’s really the kindness of the people that made the trip special.

As far as offroading destinations go, Namibia ranked highest on Grec’s list.

“Namibia stands out as absolute overland paradise,” Grec says. “It has coastline and stunning wildlife. You can fly into the capital city, rent a 4WD, and that afternoon be out camping in a dry riverbed with elephants walking by.”

Overlanding the Americas

Jeep parked on a beach in front of a sunset over the ocean.

Before his trip through Africa, Grec gained valuable international experience on the Pan American Highway. This classic route from Alaska to the tip of South America, plus plenty of side trips, was Grec’s introduction to overlanding. He logged some 40,000 miles in a used, soft-top Wrangler with zero upgrades. He remembers how spotting an international license plate in Alaska inspired him to take the leap.

“I was in Alaska and I saw a motorbike that had Peruvian plates on it,” Grec says. “And I remember thinking to myself, ‘well, it can be done.’ And that that’s all I needed to know.”

For Grec, traveling has never been a race to get from point A to B. He takes his sweet time and focuses on the many non-vehicle adventures along the way, including kayaking, mountain climbing, camping, and backpacking. He explores every village, making a point to eat local cuisine, especially inexpensive street food.

Sometimes, when he needs to, he stops his trip and works. When he reached Ecuador, he managed a hostel. The extra money helped him prolong his time on the road.

“My trips last as long as the money lasts,” Grec says.

Paying for the International Overland Lifestyle

Grec in front of his Jeep with giant snow-capped peaks in the background.

An engineer by eduction and training, Grec views working not as a career, but as a way to pay for his next worldwide adventure. He works intensely for a period of time, saving as much money as he possibly can. When he’s saved enough to pay for a couple of years on the road, he quits the job and travels. It’s a simple financial formula.

“I genuinely believe that I am just an ordinary guy. You know, I don’t write for National Geographic. I don’t have millionaires for parents. I just became determined to make these dreams come true,” Grec says.

Grec unlocks his secrets to worldwide travel on Episode 9 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast. Learn how Grec masterfully makes his dollars go the extra mile to prolong his trips. In this honest and exposing chat with Wade, Grec also covers everything from avoiding bribery at international border crossings to what to do when you get Malaria … twice.

Follow Grec on Instagram. Get exclusive content on Patreon. Read about Grec’s adventures on his blog and in his books The Road Chose Me, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

Last Episode: Backcountry Rescue with a Press of a Button

A person sits at the edge of a canyon holding her phone, with a ZOLEO unit attached to her backpack.

You’re all alone, 45 miles from pavement, and your truck quits … forever. You whip out your cell phone to call for help, but there’s not even one bar of service. What do you do? Well, if you have a satellite communicator, you send a message for help. Yes, rescue and recovery in the backcountry can be that simple.

If you want to learn more about how these palm-sized devices keep you connected in areas without cell service, check out our last episode with Morris Shawn, president of ZOLEO — one of the newest and most affordable satellite communicators on the market.

Shawn has decades of experience in satellite communications and he’s here to answer all your questions about how they work, how many bones it’ll cost you to get a monthly ZOLEO plan, and some of the dumbest calls for help he’s heard of over the past few years.

Plus, ZOLEO is having a killer sale right now. Until November 30, you can get a ZOLEO satellite communication device for only $149, that’s 25 percent off the retails price. Click the button to go to the sale.

November 20, 2021

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast How-To Offroading

How to Get into Vanlife without Breaking the Bank

by Mary Cochenour October 27, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Van life with its sunset views and cozy living quarters seems like a dream — until you see the price tag. A decked out 4×4 Sprinter van can cost more than the price of a modest home. But Jason Darrah, star of the viral YouTube show Primal Outdoors, is here to show you a better way. All it takes is buying – and being happy with – the vehicle you can afford.

Jason carrying a log over his shoulder. — Photo credit: Jason Darrah

For years, Jason has been living in a Ford van that he bought off Craigslist for $2000. He named the van “Sasquatch“ and considers it a solid upgrade from his first overland rig – an ancient $350 Ford Explorer. Both of Jason’s economical vehicles have explored the farthest reaching corners of the Pacific Northwest, where Jason calls home.

“I like to encourage people to look at this as an option … maybe start with something used,” Jason says. “Something you could build and tinker with and just over time it will get better and better. And pretty soon you’ll look back maybe two, three years later and it will be like, ‘wow, I’ve got this really rad overland vehicle’ and I just built it from nothing.”

Over time, Sasquatch has seen tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades, including a conversion to four wheel drive, a propane heater to warm the cab, and an electrical system to keep the lights on. Jason adds on to the van when he can afford it. Now, Sasquatch is built out perfectly for full-time living and 4WD exploring.

“People might look at the van at this point and think that it’s crazy,” Jason says. “But if you add up all the stuff I’ve done to it, I’m still under the base price of a Sprinter.”

Sasquatch has proven to be a worthy overland vehicle for Jason. He used the van to discover and map out a 300-mile custom route from Bend, Oregon to the Alvord Desert. The trip takes about a week to complete, yet only about a mile of the route touches pavement.

Jason explains on episode 7 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast that almost any high clearance 4WD vehicle can complete the Bend to Alvord route. Plus, get the low down on Jason’s method of building out a van for everyday living, how backpacking has influenced his vehicle-based adventures, and why he loves to cook up and eat chicken hearts while out on the trail.

Learn more about Jason on his YouTube channel, Primal Outdoors, and follow his exploits on Instagram. Join Primal Outdoors Patreon to get Jason’s exclusive GPX tracks and files.

Last Episode: Around the World with Hourless Life

Brittany holds her son next to a fully rigged jeep. Sunset desert in the background.

Brittany and Eric Highland moved out of their home seven years ago and have lived on the road ever since. A few weeks ago, they crossed the US border into Mexico, kicking off their biggest adventure yet — a giant road trip around the globe. With no return date in mind, the couple expects the trip to take 10 to 15 years.

Go back and listen to episode 6 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast to hear how they built out their Jeep Gladiator for international travel. Plus, get the details on traveling around the world with their adorable four-year-old son, Caspian.

For exclusive content, join the Hourless Life Patreon. Follow their journey on Instagram. Get their best tips and tricks on the Hourless Life website.

Trails Offroad: Get 2,700+ Detailed Trail Guides with Difficulty Ratings

You don’t have to go around the entire world to have an overlanding adventure of your own. Our show’s sponsor Trails Offroad has thousands of routes for you to explore right here in the United States. Trails Offroad’s trail guides come with detailed route information, including a downloadable gpx track and waypoints, campsite information, photos of important places, and a difficulty rating so you know what you’re getting yourself into. And the best part: you can send all your Trails Offroad routes straight to your Gaia GPS account with a single press of a button.

October 27, 2021

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading

Road Tripping Around the World with Hourless Life — and their Toddler

by Mary Cochenour October 14, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Brittany and Eric Highland moved out of their home seven years ago and have lived on the road ever since. They started out in a giant RV and eventually moved to a Jeep Wrangler made for rock crawling. When their son Caspian arrived, they built out a Jeep Gladiator so they could drive around the world all together.

Last Saturday, they crossed the U.S. border into Mexico with a long-term goal of driving every continent on the globe. They have no date of return in mind.

Their journey started with one word: overlanding.

“I stumbled on the word ‘overlanding’ and it caught my attention because I had no idea what it meant,” Brittany said. “Come to find out, overlanding is vehicle-based adventure travel usually with an international border crossing aspect to it. And that really blew my mind because I had no idea that people went on extended trips with multiple border crossings, or even that they drove around the world.”

Brittany (holding son) and Eric pose in front of a canyon.

The concept of a worldwide road trip grabbed ahold of Brittany, but she thought international travel would be impossible to accomplish with their then one-year-old son.

A podcast changed her mind. Looking for inspiring stories from overlanders, Brittany listened to Episode 30 of the Overlanding Podcast. This show featured the Snaith family who has completed a 4-year journey around the world with their two young children. The Snaiths’ story convinced Brittany that overlanding long distances with a toddler was possible.

Brittany and Eric spent the next three years searching for the perfect vehicle to cross international borders. They chose the Jeep Gladiator Sport S with a max tow package and topped it with an Alu-Cab Canopy Camper on the back. From there, everything was custom-built to their needs.

“The entire build was based on one thing, and that is where Caspian is going to sit,” Eric explained. “We knew we wanted Caspian to sit right behind the driver for two reasons. One: so he wouldn’t distract the driver. And two: so that the person sitting in the passenger seat could minister to him, whether that’s reading him a book, passing him some snacks or toys, having a conversation, or going through school while we’re driving.”

Hourless Life's rig: a jeep with a pop up tent.

The Highlands have named their personal brand “Hourless Life.” The name reflects their family mission and the fact that they no longer wake up to an alarm clock or report to a boss at a conventional job. Their days are literally hourless and they are guided by the map on their dash and loose plans to complete their round the world journey in say, 10 to 15 years.

Caspian will be homeschooled throughout the journey, but much of his education will come from experiencing new and different cultures.

“It’s just so apparent that some of the most important things that we need to learn in life, we can’t learn from a book,” Brittany said of Caspian spending his formative years on the road. “And each person in this world has something to teach. They have an experience, a career, an insight, some wisdom. And so we are so looking forward to all the people that we’re going to meet across all different cultures and languages and countries.”

Giving up the nine to five and hitting the road for a decade sounds like ultimate freedom, but the Highlands admit that it’s not all glowing sunrises and relaxation on secluded and exotic beaches. The family will face challenges and have to maintain ordinary responsibilities, like doctor appointments and paying bills.

The Highlands have vowed to give an honest look at their lives on the road in their popular YouTube Series, Hourless Life.

“We’ve learned to roll with the punches as much as we can. We just try and educate people that this is the reality of full-time travel and there are some big challenges along with all the wonderful days,” Brittany said.

Tune Into the Hourless Life

If you’re intrigued by the Highlands’ nomadic life, tune in to their complete story on Episode 6 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast. Wade asks the hard questions, including how to make money on the road, vehicle modifications for international travel, and what, if anything, the family hopes to find on this journey.

For exclusive content, join the Hourless Life Patreon. Follow their journey on Instagram. Get their best tips and tricks on the Hourless Life website.

Trails Offroad: Get 2,700+ Detailed Trail Guides with Difficulty Ratings

Last Episode: Mouthwatering Camp Meal with Overland Chef Marco Hernandez

If you want to learn how to make mouthwatering meal in camp, then go back and listen to episode 5 with camp chef Marco Hernandez. Marco is the founder of the popular YouTube channel Ovrlndx and author of The Overland Cook, a recipe book for car camping meals.

Marco joins us with a complete walk-thru of his camp kitchen, including a full size blender and an oven. He gives insights on how he keeps those things and his refrigerator powered on the road. Plus, learn why he bought a Jeep 392 and how he’s building this one out, less for rock crawling, and more for overland comfort.

October 14, 2021

Adventures Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading User Profiles

How to Build Your Dream Overlanding Vehicle with Mountain State Overland

by Mary Cochenour September 2, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Building out your dream overlanding vehicle can be an overwhelming task, leaving you in a state of “analysis by paralysis.” Self-proclaimed “professional car camper” and offroad guide Jason Specht is here to help. Jason is one of the founders of Mountain State Overland, a popular YouTube channel and overlanding guide service dedicated to responsible offroad recreation. Jason joins us on the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast this week to walk us through the upgrades you need instead of wasting money on the upgrades you want.

In this casual and informative chat sponsored by Trails Offroad, Jason teams up with podcast host Wade May to dish out the best tips for modifying your vehicle with utility and purpose in mind. Jason asks you to be honest with how you intend to use your rig, and start building from that vantage point. From rooftop tents to camp cookware, Jason points out the gear worth the investment and the gear that’s not. Do you really need those giant tires and a light bar, or are these additions actually detrimental to your overall adventure goals?

“I don’t want to turn people away from the passion to buy stuff, because we do live in a consumer-driven economy. but you know, really think about what you need before you do it,” Jason says on the podcast.

Jason’s sound advice includes fun tidbits on his favorite driving music, the cheapest and tastiest camp dinner, and the sketchiest route he pulled a trailer over. Learn more about Jason and Mountain State Overland on Instagram, YouTube, and on the web.

Last Episode: Get a Complete Trip Report on the Classic Rimrocker Trail from Trails Offroad

A view of a gravel road on the Rimrocker Trail in Colorado and Utah with blue sky and mountains in the background.

If you want to see high desert mesas, alpine forests, and Moab’s copper-colored canyons all in the span of a single weekend, put the Rimrocker Trail on the top of your to-do list. This patchwork of 4×4 roads weaves across 160 miles of diverse terrain, offering five-star campsites, forever views, and a route that almost any 4WD vehicle can travel — no special equipment or modifications necessary.

If this sounds like medicine for your soul, then go back to Episode 3 and get the complete trip report from John Lumia, co-owner of Trails Offroad. John recently mapped this southwestern classic and he spills all the trail’s secrets. Learn about the best time to go, trail ratings, and things to see along the way. You’ll get all the details you need to make a successful run on the Rimrocker — even if it’s your first time overlanding.

You can get John’s complete Rimrocker Trail Report on Trails Offroad. Click the button below to snag a discount on a Trails Offroad membership. Once you have a membership, you’ll be able to send all your Trails Offroad routes to your Gaia GPS account with a single click of a button.

Meet the Host of the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast: Wade May

After a 43-year career of flying Air Force fighter jets and commercial airline jets, 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 in 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.

September 2, 2021

Gaia GPS Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Offroading

Get the Complete Rimrocker Trail Report from John Lumia of Trails Offroad

by Mary Cochenour August 18, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

If this sounds like medicine for your soul, then don’t miss episode 3 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast for a complete trail report from John Lumia, co-owner of Trails Offroad. John recently mapped this southwestern classic and he spills all the trail’s secrets. Learn about the best time to go, trail ratings, and things to see along the way. You’ll get all the details you need to make a successful run on the Rimrocker — even if it’s your first time overlanding.

“It has really some of the best scenery that the southwestern Colorado high desert has to offer,” John says on the podcast. “If you’re trying to get into overlanding, which I classify as basically multi-day car camping, this one is a really good option for that.”

In addition to all the trail information, John explains how he became co-owner of Trails Offroad — a friendly vehicle-based, adventure travel website that offers written trail guides, GPX tracks, and ratings on more than 2,600 offroad routes in North America. Also, if you love arguing over Toyota versus Jeep, or rather, Jeep versus Toyota, tune in to hear why John owns both a Tacoma and a Wrangler while his fiancee remains a die-hard 4Runner fan.

Next Episode: Mountain State Overland

Jason Specht’s built-out Toyota Tacoma was totaled in a rear-ender on the freeway. He replaced it with a stock Tacoma straight off the sales lot and outfitted the truck just the way he wanted it. Tune in next time for a deep dive on how Jason of Mountain State Overland built a rig specifically for his needs. Learn how to decide what upgrades you should choose, where to spend your money, and where to hold back. Warning: Jason asks you to have an honest talk with yourself about what kind of trails you run. Do you really need that snorkel?

Catch up with Jason’s outfit Mountain State Overland on Instagram, YouTube, and on the web. And subscribe to the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast wherever you listen so you never have to worry about missing the next episode.

Last Episode: Pan American Highway with Dirt Sunrise

Tim and Kelsey Huber of Dirt Sunrise Adventures quit their jobs a few years ago and sold almost everything they own to pursue overland travel on a full-time basis. Their first major adventure took them to South America on the Pan-American Trail. After two years plus on the road, Dirt Sunrise is back in the states and ready to talk about their adventures abroad.

Go back and catch Episode 2 of the Gaia GPS Offroad podcast for a fun chat with Tim and Kelsey about gaining the confidence to explore across borders. Learn what’s in their vehicle recovery kit and what methods they rely on to keep people on track when you have too many cooks in the kitchen on a rescue mission. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on their dream vehicle that they are building now.

Learn more about Dirt Sunrise at their website, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to the Dirt Sunrise Youtube channel to virtually join them on all their offroad adventures.

Meet the Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast Host: Wade May

August 18, 2021

Android Gaia GPS New Features Offroading

Gaia GPS on Android Auto: Put the Best Backcountry Maps on Your Dashboard

by Mary Cochenour July 28, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Android Auto is here! Gaia GPS now connects with Android Auto, bringing all of your favorite trail maps directly to your vehicle’s navigation screen. Pull up the MVUMs, satellite imagery, National Geographic Trails Illustrated, and more, all
on the dash. View waypoints and follow turn-by-turn directions with any saved route on backcountry dirt roads and front-country pavement — worldwide. No cell service needed.

Whether you are overlanding across an entire state or navigating to a remote trailhead to escape the crowds, Gaia GPS delivers seamless, hands-free navigation on unmarked dirt roads, scenic byways, and unmaintained trails. Access hundreds of specialized maps in Gaia GPS’s map catalog and find hidden routes in places where other in-car navigation maps, like Apple or Google, are blank. And with a Premium Membership, you can download your maps so you can pull them up anywhere you go on Android Auto.

With connectivity to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Gaia GPS is the only backcountry navigation app in the world that lets you navigate with hundreds of outdoor adventure maps on the dash. Tuck your phone away in your center console, pull up your maps in Android Auto, and navigate dirt roads and 4WD trails without distraction.

Display Your Favorite Gaia GPS Map in Android Auto

There’s a map for every activity in Gaia GPS and now you can display them all on your auto’s dashboard touchscreen with Android Auto. Get access to our entire map catalog with a Premium Membership and choose from hundreds of map sources to navigate backcountry offroad routes.

When in a National Forest, try out the USFS 2016 map. Bring up National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps for sightseeing trips in America’s National Parks. Catch a bird’s-eye view of the terrain ahead with high-resolution satellite imagery. Customize your base maps with weather overlays like our precipitation, wildfire, and smoke maps to get detailed information about the places you plan to visit.

Switching map sources on the fly is a snap. Android Auto mirrors the map source on your’s phone’s screen. Any map source you select from your phone will appear on your vehicle’s dashboard navigation screen.

Once you start driving, Gaia GPS’s location arrow will follow your progress. Whether on unmaintained forest roads or cruising along a scenic highway, you’ll always be able to see your exact location on the map. Find land features, trailheads, campsite, restrooms, and places you’ve marked with waypoints conveniently from the dashboard screen in your car.

Navigate with Turn-by-Turn Directions on Dirt Roads

Get turn-by-turn directions on all your saved routes. Android Auto will access all your saved drivable routes in the area, no matter how far off the grid you plan to go. Select any route and get notifications for upcoming trail junctions and turns in the road. See your speed, distance and time traveled as you move across the map. Notifications will also let you know any time you’ve veered off the planned route

Turn-by-turn navigation on saved routes works even when you’re out of range of cell service. Never get lost on a maze of unmarked, unmaintained backroads again.

Zoom, Navigate, and Record Your Tracks From the Dash

From the touch screen controls in your vehicle, you can zoom in and out on the map, preview and select saved routes in the area around you, and change your navigation mode between “north up” and “course up” on the map. Use the settings button to choose to view or hide routes, tracks, or waypoints on the map and switch the map in dark mode for navigating at night.

Press the +/- buttons to choose from three different zoom levels on the map. Zoom in to to see the finer details of the terrain around you and back out on the map to get a bigger picture of how you fit in the landscape.

Select between two navigation modes: “course up” or “north up.” “Course up” mode keeps the location arrow static and pointed to the top of the screen while the map rotates and moves underneath the location arrow as you drive across the landscape. “North up” mode keeps the map steady on the screen while the location arrow rotates to reflect your change in direction.

Android Auto Limitations

Navigation apps are limited to a set of development guidelines provided by Google due to the danger of distracted driving. In line with Google’s rules for third-party app integration, you will not be able to create routes or switch map sources on your vehicle touchscreen.

You can still get to all of Gaia GPS’s comprehensive backcountry navigation features while connected to Android Auto. Simply use your phone to change map layers and create and save routes while you are in the field. Android Auto will display any map source, drivable routes, and waypoints that you have saved on your phone.

How to Get Android Auto

Getting your Gaia GPS account connected to Android Auto is easy. First, make sure you download or have the most up-to-date version of Gaia GPS for Android by visiting the Google Play Store. Plug in your Android device to an Android Auto compatible vehicle and the Gaia GPS app will appear as an option on your dashboard navigation screen when you turn the car on. Select the app and start driving. Note that if you have Android 9 or below, you must get the Android Auto app on your phone. Android Auto is built into Android 10 and later. For more information on setting up Android Auto on your device or vehicle visit android.com/auto.

Everyone can connect Gaia GPS to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the free version of Gaia GPS. The free version of the app allows you to navigate with a limited amount of maps in areas with cell service. Unlock the entire Gaia GPS map catalog and be able to download maps for offline use with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership.

July 28, 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

two mobile phones showing public tracks on the Gaia GPS map on the screen

Android App Updates Gaia GPS iOS New Features New Maps

Discover Millions of Routes with the New Public Tracks Overlay

by Mary Cochenour March 24, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

Wondering if a route goes? See if anyone’s blazed the trail before you with the Public Tracks layer in Gaia GPS. Available on both gaiagps.com and in the app, the Public Tracks layer shows the two million public tracks Gaia GPS users have recorded all over the world. You can choose to make your tracks public and make them available for others to access, too. Turn on this layer to discover new hiking routes, connect 4×4 roads, and plan backcountry trips with information from people who made the journey before you.

Use public tracks to enhance your own creative route planning. Whether linking up remote roads for your next overlanding adventure or connecting trails for a new loop to hike, the new public tracks overlay offers deep insights on what’s humanly possible in the outdoors.

Public tracks can be viewed online in any Gaia GPS map, including Gaia Topo, USGS quad maps, MVUMS, satellite maps, and more. Click on any public track on the map to see the distance traveled, elevation gain and loss during the trip, and the total time it took that user to complete the journey. When you’ve found the track you want to explore, save it to your account and follow it in the field — even when you are miles away from cell service.

Get Detailed Trip Stats from Any Public Track

Public Tracks give you all the information you need to get ideas for new routes and to plan a successful backcountry trip. Click on any track on the map to see the total distance traveled. Check the track’s time so you can estimate how long it will take you to complete the same journey. See the total elevation gain and loss on a track to know how much climbing to expect if you follow the same path.

Trip stats also show the date and time the track was recorded so you can account for varying weather conditions when viewing the track. For example, if someone recorded the track in the winter months, you can consider whether the track was likely recorded in snowy conditions. If the user selected the mode of travel, you will be able to see whether they recorded their track on foot, bike, skis, or motorized vehicle. Also, keep an eye out for trip notes, giving you personalized, first-hand information from the user who recorded the track.

Save, Share, Follow, and Get Turn-by-Turn Directions to Any Public Track

Once you find the perfect public track for your next adventure, you can save it to your account and pull it up on your map even when you’re offline. Share the track with your adventure partners and the people who are staying home so they know your backcountry plan. Use the “Get Directions” button within the app to get turn-by-turn directions to the beginning of the track. When you’re set to begin the journey, press the “Guide Me” button to stay on course.

To access these features, click on the public track and tap the “i” icon to get more information. A new screen will open, showing all the stats of the track and all the buttons to save, share, follow, and get directions to the track.

How to Turn On Public Tracks in the App

Public tracks have always been a key planning tool on the web. Now you can access the same public tracks layer in the field on your iOS and Android devices online. To add public tracks in the app, tap the layers icon on the top right of your screen and select “Map Overlay” at the top of the list of options. Toggle on “Public Tracks” and public tracks will appear on the map in light green.

Make Your Own Public Tracks to Contribute to the Map

You can contribute to the bank of information on the map by simply recording tracks on your own adventures and sharing them with the public. When you record a track on Gaia GPS, your track is set, by default, as a private track. You can choose to manually set your track to public to share it to the map. Making your track public allows other outdoor enthusiasts to access your trip data to enhance their own trip planning.

The Public Tracks Overlay is Available to Everyone on Gaia GPS

Everyone can view public tracks in the app on iOS and Android and on the web at www.gaiagps.com/map/. However, you will need an account to save public tracks for use offline. Visit www.gaiagps.com to create a free account or purchase the premium membership to see all the public tracks on your favorite maps in Gaia GPS’s expansive catalog.

March 24, 2021

Two off-road vehicles driving along a mountain gravel road with blue skies and puffy white clouds in background.

Featured Gaia GPS New Features Offroading

Get 2,400+ Overlanding Routes with the New Trails Offroad and Gaia GPS Partnership

by Julien Friedland February 11, 2021

written by Julien Friedland

Trails Offroad, a premier source for overlanding routes in the U.S., brings thousands of hand-curated, offroad routes directly to your Gaia GPS account. With Trails Offroad, you can discover 2,400+ off-road routes sourced from hundreds of experienced off-road experts and outdoor enthusiasts. Thanks to this new partnership, you can now take any route with you offline in the Gaia GPS app with just one click.

Explore More than 2,400 Overlanding Routes from Trails Offroad

Old blue offroad vehicle followed by a read vehicle drive through the sand.

Trails Offroad compiles detailed reports from experienced off-road experts and outdoor lovers who have driven each route. Each report provides a detailed trip guide with notes to help you navigate along the way. Easily select the best route depending on your interests with difficulty ratings, duration, trail descriptions, and road type details. You can also learn about obstacles, unique points of interest, and dispersed camping opportunities along any route.

From iconic overland routes, desert and mountain trails, remote mud bogs, hidden lakes, swimming and fishing holes, ghost towns, and old mines to the farthest backroad path, Trails Offroad has you covered.

How to Download Trails Offroad Routes to Gaia GPS

Uploading routes from Trails Offroad to Gaia GPS is available to everyone with a Trails Offroad and Gaia GPS account, including free accounts on both platforms. In addition, All-Access Trails Offroad Members can import waypoints, color-coded difficulty ratings, and include the option to download the GPX file directly from Trails Offroad.

To start downloading a route, connect your Gaia GPS account to Trails Offroad by doing the following:

Sign in to your Trails Offroad account
Visit any trail page
Scroll down to the toolbox areas and click the ‘upload to Gaia GPS’ button
A new page will pull up prompting you to log in to your Gaia GPS account
Log in to your Gaia GPS account and click ‘authorize’ to allow your Trails Offroad routes to be imported
Trail data will automatically sync to your Gaia GPS account
You won’t have to login on future syncs when you click the ‘upload to Gaia GPS ’ button; the app will remember your info and sync the routes right to your account

For more details on uploading Trails Offroad routes to Gaia GPS, view this help center article.

The Best Backcountry Navigation App Meets the Best Off-Road Trail Guides

Sign Up for a Free Gaia GPS Account

Sign up for a free Gaia GPS account to access the worldwide, tiny-to-download, Gaia Topo map, plus discover trails, plan trips, navigate, and record data. Access hundreds of Gaia GPS maps and download them for offline use with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership.

February 11, 2021

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