The 5 Best Backpacking Maps (2023 reviews)

This is a great map to have in your pack if you plan to go out hiking on mt. It includes detailed topographic trail maps for all of america’s top national parks. It is compatible with full utm grid. It is great for an overview and for planning hikes. This map is a must for planning and supplementing apps.

Why We Like This:

Gps compatible with full utm grid
Will be used while visiting the park
Delivers what they promise

Best With full UTM Grid: National Geographic Maps Good Map

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National Geographic Maps line of map come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. As usual with NatGeo maps of national parks, this one covers the field pretty well, both roads and trails, as well as the scenic waypoints and navigational touchstones. It clearly marks popular trails in red with camping areas flagged and the distances between them are much more difficult to tear than paper quadrangles. Since most of the parks are no-road trail access only, it's a great way to get a 'feel' for / 'grip' on the land, scale the mountains you're facing.

This map shows all the popular trail and ranger stations. It includes trail distances, broken down to markers, so you can calculate the time needed to get to your next stay / camp. If your backpacking, or other outdoor activity, they are highly recommended. It is compatible with full utm grid.

Why We Like This:

Very high quality material & detailed too
A must have for serious hikers
Great quality map with strong durability
Material is thick, durable and water resistant

Best topo Map: Wilderness Press Backpacking Map

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention wilderness press backpacking map for daily purpose.

Why We Like This:

New and hot release
Good brand reputation

Best For All experience levels: Rahtz Backpacking Map

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The rahtz backpacking map is capable of outshining several other map featured in this list in overall features for the price point. Ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day wilderness hikes, the book provides turn by turn directions, info on campgrounds, sights not to miss, permits needed and much more. It provides up-to-date, concise, and extremely helpful information about a variety of backpacking trails in ohio. It provides a rating system for different aspects of each trail, good maps for overviews, and a lot of advice, both general and specific to each trail.

The book is well written and impressively detailed. It is a wonderful resource for experienced backpackers and newbies alike. It allows the reader to choose the hike that is best suited to their own priorities, whether that be a well maintained toilet or an escape from civilization. It is good for all experience levels.

Why We Like This:

Each trail is rated against a rubric, described in sufficient detail, and well mapped
Well written, detailed resource for beginners and experienced hikers
Good brand reputation

Best For Day Hike: Mike white Backpacking Map

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The mike white backpacking map is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily usage. This is the 21st century one can complement every story of where a trailhead lies with a stable 20 character Google maps link to exact said location. You can explore the many waterfalls around Whiskeytown Reservoir almost any time of year, including the famous lost falls. It offers splendid views from mount shasta all the way to the yolla bollys. A good feature of this book are the excursions into local history, including how a large waterfall came to be lost until.

On the whole, this is a fun (and educational) book to read, and should be your first resource when exploring the area on foot. This would make readers' lives so much easier when setting up one's GPS for the trip. It is a thoroughly researched and meticulously detailed guide to hiking in California's Northwest corner. They also have some geological similarities with the coastal range, and an almost unrivaled biological diversity, even considering their many rivals within the Golden State.

Why We Like This:

Makes planning a backpacking trip and peak-bagging easy
Nearly 40 backpacking routes including maps, length, super detailed descriptions, regional history, elevation profiles
Good descriptions and nice selection of hikes