A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail. BLM photo.
When would I use USDA Forest Service maps?
USDA Forest Service Visitor Maps are best used to view an entire National Forest. They are great for driving through or planning a trip to the forest and for showing recreational sites, campgrounds, public information sites, and other attractions in the forest.
Forest Service Wilderness Maps are topographic maps that show natural features such as mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation. Each map covers all or part of one wilderness area and the scale is generally 1 inch per mile (1:63,360). These maps typically provide more detail than the Forest Visitor map and are used for hiking and other activities.
National Forest Atlases are full color atlases containing 8.5-inch by 11-inch topographic quadrangle maps at a scale of 1 inch to the mile (1:63,360). Atlases are only available for selected forests in California.
Order paper maps for individual national forests using the online USGS Store. Enter the name of the forest in the search window at the top of the website or in the Find a Map section, or select Forest Service Visitor Maps from the Products/Maps and Publications section.
Download free digital Forest Service maps from the USDA Forest Service Maps website.
Learn more: Interactive Forest Service Visitor Map
Related Content
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles . In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos , which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
Are all Forest Service maps available from the USGS?
Paper copies of all Forest Service maps--including Forest Visitor Maps, National Forest Atlases, and Wilderness Maps--are sold through the online USGS Store, though they might not always be in stock. Paper maps are also available for purchase at some Forest Service offices and at some retail outlets. Order paper maps for individual national forests using the online USGS Store . Enter the name of...
Are trails and/or symbols clearly shown on U.S. Forest Service maps? Where is the legend?
Trails and symbols are clearly shown on USDA Forest Service maps. A comprehensive legend appears on each map. Since each map is unique, placement of the legend and symbolization might vary from map to map. Order paper maps for individual national forests using the online USGS Store . Enter the name of the forest in the search window at the top of the website or in the Find a Map section, or select...
How do USDA Forest Service maps differ from USGS topographic maps?
USDA Forest Service Visitor Maps are at a smaller scale (they show a larger area but less detail) than standard 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) USGS topographic maps. Unlike USGS topographic maps, Forest Service Visitor maps typically do not show elevation contours. U.S. Forest Service Visitor Maps include recreational information about camping, fishing, biking, and other outdoor activities. They...
Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks. UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010. Order paper maps for...
A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail
A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail. BLM photo.
Related Content
- FAQ
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles . In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos , which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
Are all Forest Service maps available from the USGS?
Paper copies of all Forest Service maps--including Forest Visitor Maps, National Forest Atlases, and Wilderness Maps--are sold through the online USGS Store, though they might not always be in stock. Paper maps are also available for purchase at some Forest Service offices and at some retail outlets. Order paper maps for individual national forests using the online USGS Store . Enter the name of...
Are trails and/or symbols clearly shown on U.S. Forest Service maps? Where is the legend?
Trails and symbols are clearly shown on USDA Forest Service maps. A comprehensive legend appears on each map. Since each map is unique, placement of the legend and symbolization might vary from map to map. Order paper maps for individual national forests using the online USGS Store . Enter the name of the forest in the search window at the top of the website or in the Find a Map section, or select...
How do USDA Forest Service maps differ from USGS topographic maps?
USDA Forest Service Visitor Maps are at a smaller scale (they show a larger area but less detail) than standard 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) USGS topographic maps. Unlike USGS topographic maps, Forest Service Visitor maps typically do not show elevation contours. U.S. Forest Service Visitor Maps include recreational information about camping, fishing, biking, and other outdoor activities. They...
Why don't U.S. Forest Service Visitor maps have Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids?
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is not used on the Forest Service Visitor Map series because of the maps’ small scale and intended use. The more detailed Wilderness maps and Special Area maps published by the Forest Service might have UTM grid ticks. UTM grids are included on all US Topo maps (7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale) published by the USGS after 2010. Order paper maps for...
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A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail
A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail. BLM photo.
A hiker on the Lower White River Wilderness trail. BLM photo.
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