We regularly use the premium version of Gaia GPS when planning our outdoor adventures at home, as well as to help us find our way when traveling off-road. The most useful base-map, Gaia Overland, provides almost all the information we need, but for times when we want to know even more details about an area, there are several map overlays or layers that can be extremely useful. There are over 400 available map layers for Gaia GPS and in this post we’d like to share a few that we’ve found to be helpful when exploring back-country areas by vehicle.
What are Gaia GPS Map Overlays or Layers?
Gaia map overlays or layers are simply additional maps which can be overlaid on top of your normal base-map, which in our case is Gaia Overland, (found under topo maps). There are some useful map overlays available under the basic version of Gaia maps, but the best ones are found in the premium version, which currently costs $3.33 per month, or $2.49 when purchased through Outside Plus.
Gaia map overlays can be toggled on and off under the Map Layers tab, and you can use the slider control to control opacity, or how much of that layer is visible compared to your base-map.
Offline and Online Only Map Layers
Some Gaia GPS map overlays are available only when connected via cellular or WiFi, while others can be downloaded for offline use. For example, the US Private Land overlay, which shows the ownership of private property, is available for offline use, while the NOAA Snow Depth map overlay is only available online.
Gaia GPS Map Overlays or Layers We’ve Found Useful
Mines and Mineral Resources
We love to explore and photograph old mining areas out west, and have found the Mines and Natural Resources overlay (available offline) to be very useful. When visiting the Paria ghost town near Kanab, Utah, the Mines overlay pointed us to a couple abandoned mines which are indicated by the crossed pickaxe symbol (below). By clicking on the symbol for the Cemetary Deposit, for example, we can see more detail, such as the fact this is a gemstone claim for mining jasper ore.
Private Land Map Layer (US)
Another Gaia GPS map overlay we’ve found very helpful to use when dispersed camping is Private Land (US). This overlay, which is also available for offline use, shows property ownership details for privately held land. In many areas of the West, private land adjoins BLM and National Forest land, often with no fencing in-between.
To help us avoid trespassing, we often check Gaia GPS to make sure we’ve not crossed any private property boundaries. We also sometimes camp on rural properties found on Hipcamp, and by using this overlay we can tell exactly whose land we’re camping or hiking on.
NOAA Snow Depth Overlay
When planning a route through higher elevations, knowing where snowpack is still covering the ground is very important. The NOAA Snow Depth map is based on both satellite and field measurements and while not always 100% accurate, can give us a good idea if certain routes are passable.
Other Useful Map Overlays For Gaia GPS
If you enjoy visiting historic places off-road, as we do, you may find one of several historic topo maps useful for locating the ruins of buildings that may no longer exist. The map above, of the Paria ghost town in Utah, shows three buildings alongside the Paria River. We found the past location of these to be consistent with some traces of old buildings that still remain.
(When using these it’s important to note that overlays of historic topographic maps don’t always line up with current maps, since mapping techniques were very different from those used to make today’s topo maps.)
Weather, Fire and Smoke Forecast Overlays
Burn scar areas in national forests may make them more subject to flooding, mudslides and unstable trees, which is why the current and historical wildfires overlays can be very useful when planning an overlanding trip. Current wildfire condition overlay maps may require connectivity, however historical maps can be downloaded for offline use. Smoke Forecast overlays can also be helpful when planning a place to camp for then night in areas experiencing fire conditions.
To see if you might have to put on the rain fly on your tent, the NOAA 24 Hour Precipitation Forecast map is a handy one to overlay if you have cell service.
Gaia GPS Map Overlays For Many Interests
From map layers showing light pollution to hunting seasons and avalanche forecasts, there are ones that can help plan almost any kind of outdoor adventure.
To get more out of your next trip, go ahead and try out some of the many Gaia GPS map layers at home and download those that can be stored for offline use before you head out on your next adventure.
The video below from Gaia GPS gives a brief tutorial on how to use map layers.
