Need A USGS Topo Map? Visit National Geographic To Easily Find What You Need For Free
National Geographic created a new website that makes it easy to find and print every USGS topo map for “any quad in the country” for FREE. Check it out on NatGeoMaps.com.
The easy to navigate site utilizes a user-friendly web interface that allows you to find, download, and print any US Geological Survey quadrangle from the comfort of your home. The maps are available in multi-page PDFs for your standard 7.5 minute, 1:24,000 base map.
The maps come out in five pages – an overview map that looks like the standard USGS quadrangle and then pages 2 to 5 are the standard USGS cut into quarters so that you can actually print it. Hillshading has also been added to the maps. You can download these USGS topo maps to your smartphone or print and a carry a copy with you. The whole process takes about a minute.
Now there are lots of fantastic mapping programs and software out there – CalTopo.com, HillMap.com, GAIA GPS app, and others come to mind. But if you’re looking to find and print a USGS map for your next adventure for FREE it looks like National Geographic’s new database might be the best resource available. If you’re looking for smartphone access to all topo maps in both the US and Canada check out the TopoMaps app.
Outdoor lovers are going to want to check this out right away. @NatGeoMaps even had to upgrade their servers to manage the number of people checking this site out. It’s quality. Here’s the link to National Geographic’s PDF Quads Site.
If you like what National Geographic has done, don’t miss Matt Holly’s NPMaps.com where you can download any National Park Map for free.
