Knowing how to read a topographic map is the foundation to any backcountry adventure. Visualize the rise and fall of the land, and “see” the depths of canyons, the location of boggy meadows, and the height and shape of a mountain. Learn how to read topo maps like a pro.
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Topo Maps
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Maps like slope angle shading, topos, and satellite imagery can help you plan safer backcountry tours—if you know how to use them. Learn a few ways you can use maps as one more tool to mitigate risk and help you avoid avalanches this winter.
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Take your adventures off-road with the best maps for overlanding. This list includes favorites like Gaia Overland, USFS Roads and Trails, and Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Plus unlock a few bonus maps you might not know about. Discover new trails, go further off the grid, and be prepared for what’s ahead with these key map sources.
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Gaia GPS has the perfect map for every adventure. Whether you’re snowshoeing up a mountain, backpacking off trail, or overlanding across multiple states, we’ve got you covered. To help you figure out which map is best for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most popular maps. Learn why these maps are so beloved, and how you can use them on your next outing.
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While you were eating up the trail in 2021, we were busy rolling out improvements. From Android Auto to offline snap-to-trail route planning, Gaia Winter to 3D maps, check out these new maps and features that the Gaia GPS team developed in 2021. Plus, learn about how we joined the Outside family this year and the new outdoor adventure membership you can opt in to.
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Navigation is the one skill that every outdoor adventurer should know. Whether you are planning a multi-day backpacking trip or a complex overlanding excursion off the grid, taking the reins on your next adventure will help you feel safer and more confident in the backcountry. Read on to learn how and why you should be the one in your group to hold the map — even if it’s your first time.
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Our flagship map just got even better. The brand new version of Gaia Topo is chock-full of updates to make planning and route-finding even easier. Tree cover shading makes finding the alpine a snap. Mountains, valleys, canyons, and plateaus come to life thanks to beautiful shaded relief. Plus, enjoy mile markers, brightly labeled amenities, and 150,000 more miles of USFS 4×4 roads and trails.
Finding your way in the backcountry may be as simple as paying attention to the natural world around you. Raging rIvers, prevailing winds, and moss growing on tress can help you stay on course. Learn these top natural navigation clues to stay found even when you don’t have a compass handy.
Access global 3D maps on gaiagps.com! Just click on the 3D button on the map, and watch the canyons plunge and the mountains pop into 3D. Whether you are hiking, overlanding, or backcountry skiing, 3D maps will revolutionize the way you research and plan your next adventure.
See how your hometown has changed, search for undiscovered historic sites, or turn any hike into a walk through history with two historic topo maps. Historic Topo 1900 and Historic Topo 1930 bring digitized archival maps from 1885-1930 to your Gaia GPS account. Enjoy more coverage of the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as higher image quality, thanks to fresh updates to these layers.