How to Search for Specific Topographic Maps on Trails.com

You can use Trails.com's sizeable database of topographic maps to learn more about the specifics of the terrain of the trail, National Park or campground you're interested in visiting. The trail database is searchable by keyword or latitude and longitude, making your search for specific topographic maps easy as pie.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with access to the Internet
• Credit card (if purchasing a membership)
• Current membership to Trails.com (recommended)

Locate Specific Topographic Maps

1. Open your preferred Web browser and access the Trails.com homepage (see Resources below) to begin your search for specific topographic maps.
2. Sign in to your account, either by clicking on the 'Log In' link and filling in your email address and password, or simply entering your information in the provided fields in the 'Member Login' section of the homepage.
3. Click the 'Start a Free Account' link to join Trails.com if you don't already have an account. Follow the easy instructions to fill out the required fields in the membership form. This step isn't required to search for specific topographic maps on Trails.com, but it's recommended.
4. Find the 'Topo Finder' tab and click on the corresponding link once you've finished logging in or signing up. This will bring you to the 'Topo Maps–Topographic Maps' page.
5. Scroll down until you reach the 'Search For Topo Maps By Keyword' heading. Enter the name of the feature you wish to search for (the site uses the example of 'Pike's Peak' as the name of a feature). Choose the 'State' the feature is in from the drop-down menu and select a 'Feature Type' from its drop-down menu. Click 'Search' to retrieve your results.
6. Search for specific topographic maps not located in the United States by using the 'Locate a Topo Map by Latitude and Longitude' feature.
7. Enter the 'UTM Zone' and the 'Easting' and 'Northing' coordinates in the given fields and click the 'Locate' button for your results, or simply enter the 'Latitude' and 'Longitude' of your region by typing the degrees, minutes and seconds into the indicated fields. Click 'Locate' to retrieve your results.
8. Check the 'Browse by Points of Interest' section to see whether Trails.com supplies a direct link to a topographic map of the area in which you're interested.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit Trails.com's 'Help' page if you have any questions about your search for specific topographic maps (see Resources below).
• Get a free, 14-day trial membership. There's no cost or obligation to join, and you'll be given full member access to Trails.com's extensive array of user features for 2 weeks.
• Sign up for a new email account with a free provider and use your new address specifically for Web site registration purposes. This will ensure the privacy of your normal email address is not compromised.
• Remember to sign out of Trails.com (and any other site that requires a login) whenever you finish using the site.
• Guard your credit card information from identity thieves by clearing your Web browser's cache and history as soon as you finish any Internet transactions involving your credit card number. Consult your browser's 'Help' feature if you need instructions.