The 7 Best Topographic Hiking Maps (2023 reviews)

We consider a topographic hiking map to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: National Geographic Maps Yellowstone Map READ REVIEW

Best For Day Hike: Buy: National Geographic Maps Good Map READ REVIEW

Best For Hiking: Buy: National Geographic Maps Tom Harrison Map READ REVIEW

Best For exploring The More remote areas of Joshua tree: Buy: National Geographic Maps Great Map READ REVIEW

Best size Map: Buy: National Geographic Maps Detailed Topographic Map READ REVIEW

Best Map: Buy: Topographic Hiking Map READ REVIEW

Best For someone: Buy: National Geographic Maps clear Map READ REVIEW

Best Overall: National Geographic Maps Yellowstone Map

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Trail books often have small maps of the trails they describe, and those maps are fine for short hikes, but it's a good idea to have a larger topographic map for longer hikes. This map is very high quality material and nicely shows the roads around Yellowstone. It includes detailed topographic trail maps for all of america’s top national parks.

These maps are printed on waterproof, tear-resistant paper. The map is a nice heavy waterproof material that can hold up to the elements and general beating a map takes when on multi. There are a handful of significant spots that have breakout boxes which are very helpful. It's durable to boot. It is coated so this will keep for many years to come.

• Durable hiking map for yellowstone trails
• Great quality maps for going to the national park areas
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best For Day Hike: National Geographic Maps Good Map

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This is a great map for the Appalachian trail. It is easy to read, durable map with major roads and trails. It is made of a thin, water proof material rather than paper. The pages are also waterproof and tear-resistant, so it should be durable enough, at least for the portion of the A.T. It covers.

Many of the other maps only focus on one or two states, while this map covers three states along the trail. It is a booklet so it does not spread out like a traditional map. It is not a fold out, but rather several pages, like a booklet. It will be somewhat more practical than a folding map.

• Detailed topographic maps and elevation profiles
• Nicely made and well laid out
• New and hot release

Best For Hiking: National Geographic Maps Tom Harrison Map

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Compared with other products by National Geographic Maps, the national geographic maps tom harrison map has a convenient design. Expertly researched and created in partnership with local land management agencies, this product provides detailed topographic maps, interesting history, a waypoint table, information about wilderness safety, and key points of interest you will encounter along the trail. This is a very good map for the JMT that complements the Harrison and the Erik Black books and maps.

The JMT trail is highlighted and centered on each page so you can easily track your progress. The front section includes a wealth of helpful information for planning your trip and staying safe on the trail, including a sample. It has everything you will need and you should mark it up with a Sharpie with additional information (2) waterproof and rip-proof. The planning keeps you off the peaks at.

This map is all you need, especially if you plan on doing side trails or alternate routes while hiking the JMT. If you're an ultralight packer and want a waterproof non-digital backup, this is probably what you want.

• Includes elevation profile for each section
• Compact and thorough jmt foldout map to plan and to carry
• Great color shading and high definition
• Great resource for hiking the john muir trail

Best For exploring The More remote areas of Joshua tree: National Geographic Maps Great Map

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The national geographic maps great map should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. It is a must have if you plan on trekking around the desert. It is complete with points of interest and popular trails. It is made of sturdy paper with a water-resistant coating, but you can still write on it. It is also waterproof and tear-resistant, a definite plus if you want to take it hiking with you.

The map is highly detailed with important landmarks clearly marked and distances (in miles) between various points on the map. It's easy enough to read, though can be a bit large when unfolded. It's also easy to find roads and trails that may not be shown in detail in other resources. Highly recommend to have this for full enjoyment of the park and it is an awesome park.

• Very helpful with maximizing time in and around joshua tree national park
• Super helpful for finding those secret little hikes for less crowds
• Excellent, excellent map for your joshua tree trip
• Shows contours, trails, paved and partly paved (or gravel/dirt) roads, as well as amenities/services

Best size Map: National Geographic Maps Detailed Topographic Map

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The Pacific Crest Trail, one of the first national scenic trails, spans 2, 660 miles from the Mexican border through California, Oregon, and Washington to the northern terminus on the Canadian border. It has created a series of 11 easy-to-use topographic map guides which together, cover the entire length of the trail at a scale of. It includes a detailed topographic map and a trail profile that shows the distance between camping areas, and trail access points.

The waterproof and small size makes it very appealing. They are so zoomed out you have to keep flipping pages every 20 miles. This is an easy-to-carry map with excellent detail.

• Zoomed out, flipping pages, spatial disorientation
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best Map: Topographic Hiking Map

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory map, this product is your end point. This map is decent in that it provides plenty of information and has good detail. It's made out of sturdy material that won't tear. This makes it very easy to determine the elevation gain/loss between each backcountry campsite.

• Good brand reputation
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best For someone: National Geographic Maps clear Map

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The national geographic maps clear map's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use.

• Clear map with mileage and water stops
• Good investment for long term