Lidar point cloud of Los Angeles CA post-wildfire. Lidar was collected in winter 2025, while no snow was on the ground and rivers were at or below normal levels. Due to the Palisades wildfire, ground conditions are not to be considered normal given the devastation that took place
What is Lidar data and where can I download it?
Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) is a technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lidar equipment, which includes a laser scanner, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), is typically mounted on a small aircraft. The laser scanner transmits brief pulses of light to the ground surface. Those pulses are reflected or scattered back and their travel time is used to calculate the distance between the laser scanner and the ground.
Lidar data is initially collected as a “point cloud” of individual points reflected from everything on the surface, including structures and vegetation. To produce a “bare earth” Digital Elevation Model (DEM), structures and vegetation are stripped away.
The USGS is in the process of collecting lidar data for all of the U.S. and its territories (status map). Due to high cloud cover and remote locations, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR)—rather than lidar—is being used in Alaska.
The National Map is the primary repository for USGS base geospatial data. Access lidar data using:
- 3DEP LidarExplorer – Point cloud data and lidar-derived DEMs
- The National Map Download Client
- The National Map Services
Learn more:
Related
What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)?
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
What is the coverage of 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?

Lidar point cloud of Los Angeles CA post-wildfire. Lidar was collected in winter 2025, while no snow was on the ground and rivers were at or below normal levels. Due to the Palisades wildfire, ground conditions are not to be considered normal given the devastation that took place

3D view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park from 3DEP Lidar derived DEM USGS_OPR_McKenzie_County_2014_QL2_Lidar
3D view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park from 3DEP Lidar derived DEM USGS_OPR_McKenzie_County_2014_QL2_Lidar
Lidar point cloud image of Cedar Key, Florida, an area that experienced severe impacts from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. The lowest elevations are shaded in blue, while the highest elevations (the tops of trees and buildings) range from orange to red.
Lidar point cloud image of Cedar Key, Florida, an area that experienced severe impacts from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. The lowest elevations are shaded in blue, while the highest elevations (the tops of trees and buildings) range from orange to red.
Lidar Point Cloud of Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming with a brown to gray color ramp symbology with brown representing low elevation, and gray representing high elevation
Lidar Point Cloud of Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming with a brown to gray color ramp symbology with brown representing low elevation, and gray representing high elevation

In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
Geiger mode 3DEP lidar point cloud over Chicago, IL from 3DEP Project USGS Lidar Point Cloud IL 4County Cook 2017
Geiger mode 3DEP lidar point cloud over Chicago, IL from 3DEP Project USGS Lidar Point Cloud IL 4County Cook 2017
USGS scientists preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
linkUSGS scientists Mark Bauer and Matt Burgess preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
During the summer of 2019 NUSO researchers evaluated the viability of using UAS platforms and data collection sensors to characterize and evaluate an urban forest.
USGS scientists preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
linkUSGS scientists Mark Bauer and Matt Burgess preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
During the summer of 2019 NUSO researchers evaluated the viability of using UAS platforms and data collection sensors to characterize and evaluate an urban forest.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
This image is a lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty in New York with a blue to red color ramp symbology with blue representing low elevation, and red representing high elevation
This image is a lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty in New York with a blue to red color ramp symbology with blue representing low elevation, and red representing high elevation
A 3D dimensional oblique visualization made by 3DEP lidar point cloud of the Washington Memorial, Washington D.C.
A 3D dimensional oblique visualization made by 3DEP lidar point cloud of the Washington Memorial, Washington D.C.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.

Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
linkThis video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
linkThis video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
The feasibility of using lidar-derived digital elevation models for gravity data reduction
The 3D Elevation Program and energy for the Nation
The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization
Comparing methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Geology Program for deriving shoreline position from lidar data
3D Elevation Program—Virtual USA in 3D
USGS lidar science strategy—Mapping the technology to the science
Lidar base specification
Related
What is the difference between lidar data and a digital elevation model (DEM)?
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
What is the coverage of 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) DEMs?

Lidar point cloud of Los Angeles CA post-wildfire. Lidar was collected in winter 2025, while no snow was on the ground and rivers were at or below normal levels. Due to the Palisades wildfire, ground conditions are not to be considered normal given the devastation that took place
Lidar point cloud of Los Angeles CA post-wildfire. Lidar was collected in winter 2025, while no snow was on the ground and rivers were at or below normal levels. Due to the Palisades wildfire, ground conditions are not to be considered normal given the devastation that took place

3D view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park from 3DEP Lidar derived DEM USGS_OPR_McKenzie_County_2014_QL2_Lidar
3D view of Theodore Roosevelt National Park from 3DEP Lidar derived DEM USGS_OPR_McKenzie_County_2014_QL2_Lidar
Lidar point cloud image of Cedar Key, Florida, an area that experienced severe impacts from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. The lowest elevations are shaded in blue, while the highest elevations (the tops of trees and buildings) range from orange to red.
Lidar point cloud image of Cedar Key, Florida, an area that experienced severe impacts from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. The lowest elevations are shaded in blue, while the highest elevations (the tops of trees and buildings) range from orange to red.
Lidar Point Cloud of Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming with a brown to gray color ramp symbology with brown representing low elevation, and gray representing high elevation
Lidar Point Cloud of Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming with a brown to gray color ramp symbology with brown representing low elevation, and gray representing high elevation

In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
Geiger mode 3DEP lidar point cloud over Chicago, IL from 3DEP Project USGS Lidar Point Cloud IL 4County Cook 2017
Geiger mode 3DEP lidar point cloud over Chicago, IL from 3DEP Project USGS Lidar Point Cloud IL 4County Cook 2017
USGS scientists preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
linkUSGS scientists Mark Bauer and Matt Burgess preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
During the summer of 2019 NUSO researchers evaluated the viability of using UAS platforms and data collection sensors to characterize and evaluate an urban forest.
USGS scientists preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
linkUSGS scientists Mark Bauer and Matt Burgess preparing a UAS mounted with a lidar sensor for flight at Denver Colorado’s City Park
During the summer of 2019 NUSO researchers evaluated the viability of using UAS platforms and data collection sensors to characterize and evaluate an urban forest.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
This image is a lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty in New York with a blue to red color ramp symbology with blue representing low elevation, and red representing high elevation
This image is a lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty in New York with a blue to red color ramp symbology with blue representing low elevation, and red representing high elevation
A 3D dimensional oblique visualization made by 3DEP lidar point cloud of the Washington Memorial, Washington D.C.
A 3D dimensional oblique visualization made by 3DEP lidar point cloud of the Washington Memorial, Washington D.C.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.

Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
linkThis video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
linkThis video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse