Where to Get Topographic Maps: Online, Offline, and Off the Beaten Path
Squatch Survival Gear Blog | April 3, 2025
When you’re off-grid, your GPS dies, and the terrain turns against you — nothing beats a good topo map. If you’ve been following our Land Navigation series, you already know how powerful maps can be for route planning, terrain association, and staying alive when everything goes sideways.
But here’s the real question: Where do you actually get topographic maps worth using?
Let’s break down the best online and offline sources — and why paper still rules when the lights go out.
🧭 Mini Scenario: The Night Re-Route
You’re 10 miles into a multi-day hike. Your GPS is glitching, probably from the storm overhead. You’ve got backup batteries — but no signal. You pull out your printed topo map, slide it into your Squatch Survival Gear chest pack, and use the 90-degree open lid as a field desk. It takes just a few minutes to replot your route using terrain features and handrails. No screens, no loading bars — just you, your brain, and a reliable piece of paper.
📍 Top Sources for Topographic Maps
🔹 USGS (United States Geological Survey)
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Website: https://www.usgs.gov
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Get free downloadable PDF topo maps or order printed copies.
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Highly accurate and maintained by the U.S. government.
🔹 CalTopo
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Website: https://caltopo.com
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Offers incredibly customizable maps with layers like slope shading, fire history, and satellite overlays.
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Great for route planning, and you can print your own maps.
🔹 Gaia GPS
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Website: https://www.gaiagps.com
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Known for mobile app functionality, but also allows you to print custom maps.
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Useful for on-the-go planning before you hit the trail.
🔹 MyTopo
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Website: https://www.mytopo.com
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Professional-quality printed maps shipped to your door.
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You can choose scales, overlays, and custom grids.
🔹 OnX Maps
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Website: https://www.onxmaps.com
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Primarily used by hunters and outdoor professionals.
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Combines land ownership, terrain data, and GPS tracking — and you can print maps directly.
🗺️ Why Paper Still Wins
Digital tools are helpful — we’ve talked about that in our Advanced Land Navigation post — but here’s the truth:
Paper maps don’t glitch, freeze, or need charging. They just work.
Especially when stored flat in your Squatch Survival Gear chest pack, you can read and mark your map on the move, like a built-in nav station.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Build a map binder for your region. Print and laminate maps for your local area, bug-out zones, or training grounds. You never know when you’ll lose power, signal, or access to the cloud.
🧭 More Land Nav Resources:
🎒 Squatch Gear for Map Work:
The Squatch Survival Gear Chest Pack opens at a perfect angle to serve as a shelf for maps, compasses, and marking tools — keeping critical gear close without removing your ruck.