mapping... need a guide resource

[gnarledwolf]

hello,
     I'm trying to make up a kind of trip ticket that will route me on my computer from NY on a planned route to yellowstone, then up to Washington state.  We want to hit many of the attractions that are free along the way... as well as planning parking sites to sleep at night.  what i'm wondering is:
     are there any offline programs anyone knows that will allow you to do that... complete with any information I want on an interactive map
 
AND

      Does anyone know how to tell when you are on public land???  Are there signs that tell you, or do you have to have a map that tells you?  I don't want to think I'm parking on public land only to find out otherwise in the middle of the night by a knock on my car and an unfriendly cop annoying me or worse.


Thanks for your attention.
Matt

 

[rvwandering]

I use Google maps. I made a little tutorial - http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com/search?q=map+making

 If you don't want to use Google maps this site allows you to make a map and save it - https://roadtrippers.com/?lat=40.80972&lng=-96.67528&z=5

 I don't think there's an easy way to use either of these offline. Maybe take a screen shot of your map and print it out?

 This is a helpful site for public lands in the west - http://publiclands.org/

And national forests - http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml

 National forests will usually have  signs along the main roads when you enter and exit a forest. Forest roads are marked with little brown signs with the route number. Stop at a forest visitor center and get a motor vehicle use map for the area that you want to visit.

Have fun planning!
 
 

 

[akrvbob]

I like paper maps so I have both a DeLorme and Benchmark Atlas for each state I spend much time in.

The best source I've found for public lands is an app called US Public Lands. Outstanding APP!!! It uses the GPS in your smartphone and overlays it on a map with all Public Land. However, I think you have to have internet access for it to work.

Probably your best choice is DeLorme Topo software. You load it on your PC and always have topo maps of all of North America. It also includes public land.
http://www.amazon.com/Delorme-Topo-North-America-10-0/dp/0899334113/

The Delorme interface is not standard windows and is hard for me to use, but it is a good product and worth the effort. It has bad reviews, but I think if you only buy it with the idea of only finding public land, you should be okay. I think it can do that fine
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

for off line, why not go with a GPS with maps? works everywhere no cell coverage needed. I use one for road traveling. as for land use there are several ways to go, to get great detail you pretty much must be online. out west I have found that if it's private property or you are not supposed to camp there is a sign that says as much. if it's not posted I camp, never had a problem. highdesertranger

 

[blars]

US public lands by technomadia does have an offline mode, but there is no detail on roads, etc when using it. Also, it does not have small (a square mile) inclusions/exclusions due to the resolution of the public-domain map data. It's an iphone/ipad/anderoid app.

 

[gnarledwolf]

I like paper maps so I have both a DeLorme and Benchmark Atlas for each state I spend much time in.

The best source I've found for public lands is an app called US Public Lands. Outstanding APP!!! It uses the GPS in your smartphone and overlays it on a map with all Public Land. However, I think you have to have internet access for it to work.

Probably your best choice is DeLorme Topo software. You load it on your PC and always have topo maps of all of North America. It also includes public land.
http://www.amazon.com/Delorme-Topo-North-America-10-0/dp/0899334113/

The Delorme interface is not standard windows and is hard for me to use, but it is a good product and worth the effort. It has bad reviews, but I think if you only buy it with the idea of only finding public land, you should be okay. I think it can do that fine
Bob

would it work on a tablet?

 

[akrvbob]

No, it's huge with all those maps.
Bob