Next to driving directions, outdoor activities like hiking are where GPS devices get the most use. Although any experienced outdoors enthusiast will tell you that a paper map is a must-have when exploring, a GPS device can be great for finding your way to and from camp and exploring different trails in the area.
Recently, TomTom launched a new page dedicated to helping GPS users more easily find trail maps for popular US National Parks in several states. The maps are available for free download, and are compatible with any device that can read GPX files. Although TomTom has been pushing using its TomTom Spark and TomTom Adventurer watches with the files, devices like the Garmin Edge series should work too.
Here is a list of all the National Park trails currently included:
- Grand Canyon National Park (Widforss Trail)
- Saguaro National Park (Deer Valley Loop)
- Lassen Volcanic (Brokeoff Mountain Trail)
- Golden Gate national Parks Conservancy (Hawk Hill, Lands End, Tennessee Valley)
- Joshua Tree (Lost Horse Mine Loop)
- Yosemite National Park (Elizabeth Lake Trail)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Glacier Gorge Trail)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (North Vista Trail)
- Acadia (Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Pemetic Southwest Trail)
- Minute Man National Historic Park (Battle Road Trail)
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Chapel Rock Trail)
- Glacier National Park (Siyeh Bend and Piegan Pass Trail)
- Crater Lake (Mount Scott Trail)
- Great Smoky Mountains (Forney Ridge Trail)
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Hurricane Wash to Coyote Gulch)
- Zion national park (Watchman Trail)
It should be noted that there are plans to expand this list eventually. Many of these maps feature some lesser-known trails so true adventurers can branch out and better enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors.
“TomTom wants people to get going and enjoy the outdoors, as there is so much natural beauty to enjoy and so many national parks and trails that are ready to be explored,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, President of TomTom, Inc. in a press release. “Our partnership with the National Park Foundation lets us combine efforts to inspire people to get off the beaten path in our national parks – whether it’s the one right in their backyard or the one they travel across the U.S. to visit.”
You can download the map files here.
