Find, Buy, and Print Your Own Topo Maps

Finding topographic maps may seem like a daunting challenge, but it doesn't have to be. They exist for every square foot of the United States, and the US Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary source.

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[sandygap]

Many times, map details are not "past onto current the current edition." Not because the feature doesn't exist, it was simply ovetlooked. My map tip is to purchase the latest updated map and then review much older maps for these "lost" features. I vertify either by "boots on the ground" or aerial pictures. Since most of my outdoor hunting/fishing, etc, happens on BLM or Forrest service public property, I go to the nearest office and ask to see their current working copy and update my copy. Several times, they asked to see my map, with details from older maps and other sources, and they asked me if they could make a copy of my map. They ask if features have been verified and I direct them to my sources. In my opinion, maps are an incredible and underutilized resource.

[Messier.]

I just discovered the USGS developed a web based map tool called Topobuilder. All free, all the most up to date contours (updated every three years) you can get USGS quadrangles or custom ones for your specific needs. Highly recommend

[rickm]

Finally....Ive been trying to figure out how to buy maps for a minute now

[debragarrett]

Many thanks for taking the time to make this video. It was very helpful and easy to understand.

[jtaylor]

I have been searching for a map like this for a couple years. A hidden gem. Ty Stoker

[GenXGemini]

Many, many, moons ago when I was about 15, I wrote to a government address and got a free topo for my area. I'm not sure what the address was. I found it in these old "Books of Knowledge" my parents have. I think it was a 1966 edition, but it was the late 80's when I did this. Good info, Stoker. I've been wanting a paper copy of my current location. Thanks for the video. 🥃

[monte]

This is great information Mr. Stoker! New subscriber. Watching all your land navigation and map reading videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God Bless you.

[joshpeterson]

One quick note; I've been doing this for backpacking trips in AK and WY for the past few years, and it actually is quite a bit cheaper to do this at local print shops IF you are ok with a smaller map (which I think is more convenient to carry on a trip). I typically print out a few 1:24k maps, depending on the length of my route, then get them laminated, or do it myself. I do it on 8.5x11 printer paper in color (professional print shops have good printers, so the clarity is sufficient). It is quite small print and helps to have that magnifying glass on the compass, but is sufficient for most trips IMO.

It's a bit of a compromise because it's a pretty small map, and it's not as sharp as the ones you buy from USGS site, but it's cheap, convenient, and good enough for off-trail navigating if you know what you're doing.

[AlucardFeeds]

Yo! Thank you so much for doing this. I have been having a terrible time trying to get these maps at stores and people not knowing what they were.

[Darryl.Harris]

Beautiful! Just what I needed. Thank you, bruh.

[stewarttrains]

Idk if you still can, but at tines you could go to a Army corps of engineers office and get maps local to that office.

[alexmanne]

This video was incredibly informative. I never knew you could easily find topo maps like this. Thank you

[BarbellThor]

I found the USGS site and realized what an amazing tool it was. I didn't know, though, you could order a paper map from them.

[olddominionmedic]

great Info! Any resources for 1:50, 000 maps?

[jacklowe]

Old Grunt here! Much Appreciated Info.!

[apprenticegilligan]

As always amazing information. Thank you.

[marclucier]

Where I live. I went to the forestry office. And got a topo quick book that I carry in my pack. Great resource

[danielroncaioli]

You can find protractors on e-bay for the correct 7.5 quad scale maps.

[Ray_Mac]

Using CalTopo/SARTopo you can print of maps with different layers/matkers/etc on your plain old printer