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 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 U.S. Forest Service maps from the U.S. Forest Service Maps website.
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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...
How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?
The UTM ( Universal Transverse Mercator ) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend...
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...
Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?
Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006) : The USGS policy about putting a full UTM grid on 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) topographic maps has changed over time. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then reversed again in...
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...
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...
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...
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...
How are UTM coordinates measured on USGS topographic maps?
The UTM ( Universal Transverse Mercator ) coordinate system divides the world into sixty north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide. UTM zones are numbered consecutively beginning with Zone 1, which includes the westernmost point of Alaska, and progress eastward to Zone 19, which includes Maine. If UTM ticks are shown on a USGS topographic map, the zone is indicated in the credit legend...
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...
Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?
Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006) : The USGS policy about putting a full UTM grid on 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) topographic maps has changed over time. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then reversed again in...
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...
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...
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...
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