Gaia GPS now includes maps from the National Geographic Trails Illustrated series on iOS, Android, and gaiagps.com. You can access this layer with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership.
Description
National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps are the most trusted and highly-rated topographic maps available for the United States' top outdoor destinations. They are produced and regularly updated in partnership with local land managers and experts.
Trails Illustrated maps include detailed topographic information, clearly marked trails, recreational points of interest, and navigational aids.
The National Geographic Trails Illustrated source can be previewed here.
Coverage Updates
- 03/07/2018 - Bob Marshall Wilderness
- 03/25/2018 - John Muir Trail*
- 04/26/2018 - Appalachian Trail*
- 07/24/2018 - Colorado Trail*
- 01/23/2019 - Desolation Wilderness and Big Bend National Park
- 11/20/2019 - Pacific Crest Trail*
- 12/09/2019 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- 03/04/2020 - Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Sun Valley
* Separate layer from the main National Geographic layer
Future Coverage Updates:
There are several maps that we plan to include, but aren't available yet:
- Boston, MA
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Canadian maps
Notes about coverage:
The National Geographic Trails Illustrated source can be previewed here.
The National Geographic Trails Illustrated layer includes almost all of the same areas covered by the paper maps in the Trails Illustrated series. But due to licensing issues or technical difficulties, some areas are not included in the digital version in Gaia GPS. More details about this below.
Some areas we are unlikely to include, either due to licensing issues or a lack of digital availability:
- Anywhere outside of US/Canada, as they are not part of the Trails Illustrated series
- Adirondack Mountains
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- San Rafael Swell
- White Mountains
- Catskill Park
Notes about map legends:
The trail name index found on paper maps is not available in the Gaia GPS digital version.
Comments
44 comments
I am heading to Canada soon. Any estimate on when Canadian Trails Illustrated maps will be included in premium membership? Thanks.
I'm heading to Canada in early August and wanted to see if there were any updates on the availability of the Trails Illustrated Maps for Banff and Jasper National Parks. I really like the details of those maps and would prefer to not have to purchase them separately. Thanks!
The natgeo layers work great for me in the IOS app, but when I load it on the web version, I just see blank tiles. Area of interest is CO, but even zooming out I dont get any content. Browser is Chrome.
@pbasinger if the National Geographic maps don't show in your layers list, tap the button in the top right corner (More Layers or 'Edit' depending on your version).
You'll find National Geographic as an option under Premium Base Maps.
If you have trouble with that, click 'Submit a Request' at the top of this page to contact the support team and someone can definitely help!
OK, I found this page with the info I need, but is there a way to bring this info up while using the app? This would be especially useful for offline scenarios.
https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003639928-Map-Legends
I'm looking at the Nat Geo maps for WA, and while useful, I can't find the key. There are trails in purple, green, and black, but I don't know the difference. Is there some way to pull up the key for these maps? I suspect I'll have the same question with other maps in Gaia. Thanks!
Rob,
There are licensing issues with those maps preventing us from adding them -- sorry!
You could write support for a refund if you no longer need the Premium Membership, just click 'submit a request' above.
@Lnghrn892
We are still working with National Geographic to make the Trails Illustrate map for Big Bend National Park available in Gaia GPS, and I unfortunately don't have an ETA at this time. Sorry for the delay.
Stuart,
Yes, we have an open dialogue with NatGeo -- I personally don't know the exact details about those maps, but I was given to believe adding them was complex in nature.
Gaia Topo and Canada Topo West would be great alternatives for your trip.
Please add the New York Catskills and Adirondack maps to your service. I use Gaia GPS all the time, as well as the paper maps, and would really like to see it integrated. Thank you.
Hi Ashli,
Is the lack of Adirondack trail maps due to licensing difficulty? Just curious.
Thanks,
Tom
Is there a timeline for the Alaska Nat geo maps? I’d love to utilize them ASAP! Excited they are likely to be included!
Would love to have had Jasper and Banff National Parks last summer. They have excellent National Geogrpahic maps available in print, so any ETA on getting these digitized? These are pretty popular hiking/backpacking parks! I’m planning more long trips this summer, so any word would be great. Love the app and rely on it a lot!
Hi Tom,
Yes, some of the data on the Adirondacks maps include licensing agreements which prevent the maps from being published in Gaia GPS.
Thanks again Ashli. Those old maps are ok, but rather outdated. (I've recorded tracks and can see the real world result) Hope you guys get those NatGeo loaded up too, would be very helpful. (can't see why they'd be any tougher than the US ones... as they are the same maps)
Love the app. Keep up the great work!!
Stuart
@howesthehike & @volgrad90
We are still working with National Geographic to add the rest of the available Trails Illustrated maps to Gaia GPS and unfortunately, I do not have an ETA for the Canadian maps.
I will update this article whenever there are additions in coverage, and we'll also make an announcement on our blog.
Catskill Park, NY does not show up in the app. Will that map be added? Thanks.
Been waiting for the Canadian Maps a long time. See my questions above from 7 months ago.
i have the same problem
using firefox and macbook pro
Any update on the San Rafael Swell map that was mentioned above?
Thanks for the quick reply, Ashli!
Any update on the NatGeo Canadian maps?
Hi,
We haven't received data for Canada yet, so, unfortunately, I don't have an ETA.
Hi-
I have a question regarding TI map #712 - San Rafael Swell in Utah. It is in the Trails Illustrated series, yet is missing from the NatGeo Trails Illustrated Layer. The appropriate TI maps adjacent to 712 show up just fine. Thoughts?
Cheers, Jason
Hi,
I was wondering what the issue was with Nat Geo maps of the White Mountains, NH? It was one of the top reasons I became a premium subscriber.
Thanks,
Rob
Hi Jason,
It seems to be working for me -- keep in mind the NatGeo map doesn't have statewide coverage in Colorado. Here's a visual of NatGeo coverage in Colorado, with Gaia Topo underlaid for state-line reference:
If you're still unable to view, can you click 'submit a request' above to contact support?
Thanks Nathan. I found an existing request for this feature, so I added my comment to it.
@Erica_Hausfeld
We are working with National Geographic to make more of the Trails Illustrated series available in Gaia GPS, but I don't have an ETA at this time on when the Alaska maps will be released. Sorry about that.
Ditto here for Canada
THANK YOU SO MUCH for getting these maps included in Gaia GPS! These maps are some of the best I have ever used, and I was devastated when A**T****s dropped them and it's why I came to Gaia GPS even though you didn't have them at the time. I know the licensing must be difficult and I appreciate your working through it.
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