How do you use it. Looking for trails and places near me. What GPS trails apps do you use?

 

I have Gaia GPS, but I haven't used it enough yet to really give you a review.

 

I just got back last week from doing back country in Death Valley National Park in a rented (nicely lifted) Jeep through Turo. On Saturday went across Hunter Mountain Road from Saline Valley and almost got lost on the other side. Panicked a bit, turned around, and went back over the mountain before it got dark. About 3 hours each way. Turns out just didn't go far enough by 1.5 miles to get to Teacup Junction (just a post with teacups hanging where two roads meet). Next day in Vegas when I was inside renting our next vehicle, my wife said she figured out that the JEEP had GPS. Since then I have learned to use "GPX Viewer" app on my Android phone and GPX files to view my exact location. Found the GPX files on the Internet for all of Death Valley via Google. That's how I know where we turned around.

 

Thank you..I will check out gpx

 

Looks like ExpertGPS and NPS web sites are good sources for downloadable maps that work with the app.

 

I've been searching all day guys.

 

I've been looking for canadian maps/apps, haven't had any good luck on the electric side other then memberships through sites.

I did come across map books that include trails for everything from hiking,snowmobiling, atvs, fishing lakes and camping in Ontario where I live. They update them a few times a year, about 20$ a book and it's a set of 4.

I think they would have options like that other places.

 

Expert GPS maps seem to be free. They charge for their app. I use the maps in the free GPX Viewer app.

Here's the links to all of the USA maps they have.
https://www.expertgps.com/data/default.asp

 

I had a thought for an app a while back, and maybe something like this already exist. If so I'd love to know.

Could be used for all sorts of offroading; in a vehicle, atv, side by side, heck even hiking.

Doesn't need to be super detailed as far as the map goes, basic representation of labeled roadways and bodies of water, but of course sat imaging pulled from Google or something would be a cool feature. But it would allow you to track your travels via gps, then basically play a turn-by-turn navigation to go back the same way you came. Would also have a "friends list" feature, you could set up your own accounts, and when logged in you can see where your 4x4 buddies are on the trail, how far away they are and in what direction. With your account, you could also save all the trails you've taken, maybe even create custom labels for personalized trails, add photos and notes at certain points on the trail.

 

Where I go there is no connection for an app, therefor I use maps. Though most of the time I just wander and have no problem finding my way back. Part of the fun of driving off road here in Colorado.