The 5 Best Nat Geo Trail Maps (2023 reviews)

There are plenty of places in Zion with no signal, though GPS will work perfectly fine almost everywhere, except for the narrows. This map is one of many in a series with trails marked on a topographic map that is an excellent resource for backpacking or even day. It includes detailed topographic trail maps for all of america’s top national parks.

Though it does not include every trail in the park, it has most (if not all) of the publicly published ones, as well as contours, streams, and other features. The coating on them makes them super strong no matter how many times you fold them. This is the map you need to have in your backpack if you're hiking around the zion area. It is compatible with the full utm grid. The most helpful map is always the tram maps so you know what stop to take for each trail you want to do.

Why We Like This:

Convenient, with good quality paper that can survive getting wet
Shows all trails and backcountry sites
Very detailed and a must have for hiking zion
Really holds up to being shoved into backpacks

Best For alpine loop: National Geographic Maps Good Quality Map

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It's really filling up with these AWESOME water-resistant, tear-resistant, very detailed maps. While it has the one downside, the simple yet thorough and familiar layout of this map make it worth your while. This map basically divides that area in half, requiring constant front and back flipping of the map.

The Latitude 40 map contains significantly more trails than the nat geo maps. It doesn't tear or rip. This is a nice plasticized topographic map of the entire area. It is a good map for the alpine loop. The coating on the map keeps it in good shape for the future.

Why We Like This:

Good quality map with the waterproof coating but yet folds nicely
Shows most of the 4x4 trails around silerton, lake city, ouray and teluride
One of the new comers and featured product

Best With full UTM Grid: Nat Geo Trail Map

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The nat geo trail map is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular usage. It is a well planned book with a nice amount of history and geolgy to make a hike more interesting. They hold up well to moisture and abuse. It is compatible with full utm grid. They are informative, easy to read and understand, and attractive.

Why We Like This:

Useful to use without needing a phone while backpacking
Solid map for exploring the grand canyon
Great maps for seeing the entire park

Best For hikers: National Geographic Maps Great Trails Illustrated Waterproof Map

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The national geographic maps great trails illustrated waterproof map is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features for the price point. This map is the only one you will need to explore the amazing canyons and remote corners of southern utah. It is a typical nat geo trail map. It works like a charm, if you have the cognative ablity to think abstractly. It won't rip and tear when you fold it or change its folds to concentrate on what you're interested in.

There are no marked trails in Grand Gulch, the map provides mileage markers for the ruins and side-canyon turn offs. This makes it easy to track your mileage/progress in an otherwise winding canyon, where you can't easily tell how far you've gone. It can be used in combination with local guidebooks for many available hikes of various lengths.

Why We Like This:

Very high quality with very few trails
Adds much information to the east of grand gulch from previous grand gulch map
Waterproof and tear resistant, as well
Very useful map with good scale for hikers and access to trailheads

Best For Appalachian Trail Lots of Good information: National Geographic Maps Detailed Topographic Map

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The national geographic maps detailed topographic map has killer features for the price point. This is a great map for appalachian trail with lots of good information. It includes a detailed topographic map and a trail profile that shows the distance between shelters, camping areas, and trail access points. These are map booklets, NOT fold out maps.

Why We Like This:

Detailed topographic maps and elevation profiles
Just a general location and geography map
One of the new comers and featured product