You're about to head into the backcountry for a weekend hike. You've got your gear packed, your trail snacks ready, and... did you download your maps? If you're like most hikers, this crucial step often gets forgotten until you're standing at a trailhead with "No Service" on your phone.
Downloading offline maps is the single most important thing you can do to ensure reliable navigation in the wilderness. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the exact steps for every major map app, from free options like Google Maps to premium hiking apps like Gaia GPS.
How Much Storage Do Offline Maps Need?
Before downloading, it's helpful to understand how much phone storage you'll need. The size varies significantly based on the area covered and level of detail:
| App | Small Area (50 mi²) | Large Park (500 mi²) | Full State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | ~50 MB | ~200 MB | 500MB - 2GB |
| AllTrails | ~30 MB | ~150 MB | N/A (region-based) |
| Gaia GPS | ~100 MB | ~500 MB | 2-5 GB |
| Organic Maps | N/A (region-based) | ~100-300 MB | 200MB - 1GB |
Google Maps (Free)
📍 Downloading Offline Maps in Google Maps
Google Maps offers free offline maps, though they lack the topographic detail hikers need. Still, they're useful for driving to trailheads and as a backup navigation option.
1 Open Google Maps and find your area
Search for your destination or navigate to the area you want to download. Zoom out to see the full region you need.
2 Tap your profile picture → Offline maps
In the top right corner, tap your profile icon, then select "Offline maps" from the menu.
3 Tap "Select your own map"
You'll see a blue rectangle overlay. Pinch to zoom and drag to select the exact area you need.
4 Tap "Download"
Google will show you the storage size. Tap Download and wait for completion (use WiFi for large areas).
Important notes:
- Offline maps expire after 30 days if not updated
- No topographic/elevation data—not ideal for hiking
- Turn-by-turn navigation works offline for driving
- Business details and reviews require internet
Apple Maps (Free, iOS only)
🍎 Downloading Offline Maps in Apple Maps
Apple added offline maps in iOS 17. Like Google Maps, they're road-focused rather than trail-focused, but the download process is straightforward.
1 Open Apple Maps and tap your profile
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right, then select "Offline Maps."
2 Tap "Download New Map"
Search for a city, region, or park name to center your download area.
3 Adjust the area and download
Resize the selection box to include your needed area, then tap Download.
Apple Maps also includes basic trail data from OpenStreetMap, making it slightly more useful for hiking than Google Maps.
AllTrails (Free & Premium)
🥾 Downloading Offline Maps in AllTrails
AllTrails is designed for hikers, and offline maps are available with AllTrails+ ($35.99/year). The free version does NOT include offline maps.
1 Find your trail
Search for your hike or browse nearby trails. Tap on the trail to open its details page.
2 Tap the download icon
On the trail detail page, look for the download icon (arrow pointing down) near the map or trail name.
3 Choose your map type
AllTrails+ members can choose between Standard, Terrain, or Satellite map styles for offline use.
4 Wait for download completion
The map downloads in the background. Check the "Saved" or "Downloads" section to verify it's ready.
Gaia GPS (Premium)
🗺️ Downloading Offline Maps in Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS offers the most comprehensive offline map options, including USGS topo maps, satellite imagery, and specialized layers. It requires a Premium subscription ($39.99/year).
1 Navigate to your hiking area
Pan and zoom the map to the region you want to download. Choose your preferred map layer (USGS Topo is popular for hiking).
2 Tap the layers icon → Download Maps
Tap the layers button (stacked squares), then select "Download Maps" at the bottom.
3 Draw your download region
Use the selection tool to draw a box around your hiking area. Gaia shows the estimated download size.
4 Select map layers to download
Choose which map layers you want available offline. Downloading multiple layers (topo + satellite) uses more storage but gives you options in the field.
5 Choose zoom levels
Select the zoom levels you need. Higher zoom levels (more detail) significantly increase file size. For hiking, zoom levels 12-16 usually provide enough detail.
Gaia GPS tips:
- Download overnight on WiFi for large areas
- Premium+ adds even more map sources worth downloading
- Create "Saved Areas" for places you visit frequently
Organic Maps (Free)
🌿 Downloading Offline Maps in Organic Maps
Organic Maps is completely free and privacy-focused. It uses OpenStreetMap data and downloads entire regions at once.
1 Open Organic Maps and zoom to your area
Navigate to the region where you'll be hiking.
2 Tap the download prompt (or go to Settings → Download Maps)
When viewing an area without downloaded maps, you'll see a download prompt. Alternatively, access the full region list in Settings.
3 Select your state/region
Maps are organized by country, then by state/province. Tap your region to begin downloading.
Organic Maps downloads are region-based (whole states), so you can't select a small custom area. However, the efficient vector format keeps file sizes reasonable.
Best Practices for Offline Maps
Before Your Trip
- Download on WiFi. Large map files eat through cellular data and take longer on spotty connections.
- Download more than you need. If you stray from your planned route, you'll want coverage of surrounding areas.
- Test in airplane mode. Switch to airplane mode at home and verify your maps load correctly.
- Check for updates. Trail conditions change. Update your offline maps before each trip.
During Your Hike
- Enable airplane mode. Saves battery—your phone won't waste power searching for signal.
- Carry a backup battery. GPS tracking uses significant power over a long hike.
- Mark waypoints. Drop pins at trail junctions and key landmarks for your return trip.