Like topographic maps, topographic map symbols have evolved over time. There is no single document that describes all of the symbols used on all USGS topographic maps since they were first created.
- Maps published 2013-present: US Topo maps have a symbol sheet attached to the map file (PDF format only). Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat and click on the paperclip icon.
- Maps published 1947-2009: See the Topographic Map Symbols pamphlet. Most of these symbols are still in use.
- Maps published before 1947: See the 1918 Topographic Instructions (after page 218) and the 1928 Topographic Instructions (plates 15-23, after page 282).
- Symbols for 1:50,000-scale 15-minute quadrangle topographic maps of the United States.
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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...
Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format). Order paper...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
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Are USGS topographic maps copyrighted?
All topographic maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are in the public domain and are not copyrighted except for the following three cases that apply only to US Topo maps (produced 2009-present): Most maps in the period 2010-2016 contain commercially licensed road data (see note below). Orthoimages in Alaska are commercially licensed. Orthoimages in Hawaii were commercially licensed...
How can topographic maps be useful in genealogical research?
Once you've gathered as many facts about family history and customs as possible, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical mysteries. In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place might show the county seat where...
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- FAQ
What does the term UTM mean? Is UTM better or more accurate than latitude/longitude?
UTM is the acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator, a plane coordinate grid system named for the map projection on which it is based (Transverse Mercator). The UTM system consists of 60 zones, each 6-degrees of longitude in width. The zones are numbered 1-60, beginning at 180-degrees longitude and increasing to the east. The military uses their own implementation of the UTM system, called the...
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...
Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format). Order paper...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today's standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way. A new USGS topographic map series was launched in 2009 and branded "US Topo." Though...
Are USGS topographic maps copyrighted?
All topographic maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are in the public domain and are not copyrighted except for the following three cases that apply only to US Topo maps (produced 2009-present): Most maps in the period 2010-2016 contain commercially licensed road data (see note below). Orthoimages in Alaska are commercially licensed. Orthoimages in Hawaii were commercially licensed...
How can topographic maps be useful in genealogical research?
Once you've gathered as many facts about family history and customs as possible, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical mysteries. In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place might show the county seat where...
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