Budget/free map printing options?

[COOPDUCK]

I’m doing a hunt in a few weeks into a new area. I’ve got smartphone with onX, and an older gps I mark simple waypoints on for truck, camp etc...

I’d like to bring a compass and map for backup to these methods. I’m just not sure the best method anymore for buying maps or printing out maps for area I’m going to be hunting. It is in southwest Idaho, with parts of National Forest, wilderness areas, and state land. Anybody have any quick and dirty tips for having a decent topo map specific to the area I am hunting?

 

[Mighty Mouse]

1:24,000 scale topo maps can be downloaded for free as PDFs from the USGS website. You could then print them at home or have a local print shop do it for you. Clear packing tape can be used as makeshift laminating material to make the paper more durable/water-resistant.

Map Locator | USGS Store

store.usgs.gov

 

[COOPDUCK]

1:24,000 scale topo maps can be downloaded for free as PDFs from the USGS website. You could then print them at home or have a local print shop do it for you. Clear packing tape can be used as makeshift laminating material to make the paper more durable/water-resistant.

Perfect exactly what I needed, thanks.

Map Locator | USGS Store

store.usgs.gov

 

[Warmsy]

Caltopo(.com?)

You can create custom maps with layers of your choice, and print them with a scale. I use it all the time... my local outdoor stores rarely have the areas I want to go to. It's free. I think you can pay for advanced features. You can share the maps with friends, too.

 

[Rubben15]

New to hunting and this will come in very handy! Thanks for the posts!

 

[Drenalin]

I but USGS quads at a local blueprint shop for $8 each. I mark the heck out of them and just replace when they get too worn or too marked up to ready any more. Lot of hiking and outdoor stores carry quads as well.

 

[Vegas03A3]

I haven't figured out the full functionality yet, but the USGS website seems to have a tool that lets you customize your own 7.5-minute map. Looks like you can specify what kinds of layers, what area to frame, etc.

Has anyone else played with the USGS custom map tool?

TNM Download v2

The TNM Download Client is built on modern web technologies and features a simplified approach to downloading products from The National Map.

apps.nationalmap.gov

 

[mdp22]

I've used National Geographic to print maps before at the following https://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads

 

[Smokeslider]

Caltopo can be very helpful for your purpose.