Maps

A Forest Service map is a tool you need to safely navigate national forests and grasslands. They can be great gifts for friends and family. Map lovers might enjoy a framed map as wall art. 

There are several types of maps available to you.

Forest Visitor Maps

Forest Visitor maps have rich content specific to each forest and grassland, providing information on attractions, facilities, services, and recreational opportunities. Features include recreational sites, such as campgrounds, trails and scenic areas, roads, forest boundaries and public/private land distinctions, and legends and symbols for easy navigation. These maps are professionally printed with tear resistant and waterproof synthetic paper to improve durability during your recreational experience.  

National Forest Atlases

National Forest Atlases are full-color printed atlases containing 8.5-inch by 11-inch topographic quadrangle maps scaled at 1 inch to 1 mile. These are professionally printed maps and can be found at many locations where Forest Service maps are sold.

The atlases are especially useful for outdoor enthusiasts who want a convenient map with a comprehensive view of the forest.

Wilderness Maps

Wilderness Maps are specialized topographic maps that provide detailed information about the hundreds of designated wilderness areas managed by the Forest Service. The maps are designed for hikers, backpackers, equestrians and anyone venturing into these remote, undeveloped public lands where nature still calls the shots and motorized access is restricted.

These maps are more detailed than visitor maps and are especially useful for non-motorized recreation, like hiking, horseback riding and backcountry camping.

Each map covers all or part of one wilderness area, and the scale is generally 1 inch to 1 mile (1:63,360). These maps are professionally printed on tear and water-resistant paper.

Get Your Paper Maps

Forest Visitor Maps, Forest Atlases and Wilderness maps may be purchased online through the U.S. Geological Survey Map Store. Forest Visitor Maps also may be purchased using our Map Finder application. Selected hard copy maps and atlases may be purchased at national forest or grasslands offices. Call ahead to ask about availability.

In addition to these resources, many Forest Service maps, including the visitor maps, also are available for purchase as georeferenced PDFs on Avenza, which may be used on most mobile devices.

Your guide to motorized adventures

Whether cruising forest roads in a 4x4, hitting the trails on an ATV or riding a snowmobile on groomed trails, you need a specialized map as your essential companion for safe and legal on national forests and grasslands. 

There are two types of specialized maps - motor vehicle use maps, referred to as MVUMs, and over snow vehicle use maps, or OSVUMs. 

How the maps help you 

• Motor vehicle use maps show designated roads, trails and areas for motor vehicle use, including highway-legal vehicles and off-highway vehicles.

• Over snow vehicle use maps show designated roads, trails and areas open to over snow.

The maps contain information about seasonal use, distance allowances, and other travel rules and regulations.

Routes not shown on the motor vehicle maps are not open to public motor vehicle travel. The maps are important to have because routes may not always have signs designating them for motorized use.

Why it matters

Using these maps helps you recreate responsibly while protecting natural resources and ensuring continued access for all. Do your part by picking up or downloading your free map from the forest or grassland before heading out is how you can “know before you go” where you can ride responsibly.

A route or area not listed on the motor vehicle use maps is not open to motorized travel—even if it appears usable. The map is important to have because routes may not always have signs designating them for motorized use. The same applies to over snow vehicles and over snow vehicle use maps.

You are responsible

It is your responsibility to know which routes and areas are designated for motor vehicle use. That means you should always carry a motor vehicle use map or over snow vehicle use map for the area you are visiting. Use of roads, trails and areas shown on motor vehicle or over snow vehicle use maps - or both - are permitted. Not following a map will likely result in a citation.

These black-and-white maps do not include topographic details, but they serve as a key reference for identifying where motorized vehicles are legally allowed on national forests and grasslands. Use them alongside a Forest Service base map, forest visitor map, or another detailed map that displays the information needed for successful navigation. 

Printing motor vehicle use maps

National forests and grasslands are required to post maps online. Check the website of your forest or grassland destination. On a forest or grassland website, click on Visit, then Visitor Maps and Guides to find the map you need.

The maps also may be found at visitor centers. Maps are updated as needed. Ensure you download or print a map each time you need it. To print a map:

• Select the map for the area you would like to visit. 

• Print a map or a portion of a map by zooming in on the area you will visit. 

• Select FILE then PRINT to save a PDF version. More options are available under PAGES TO PRINT.

What the map shows

Route designations and vehicle classes:

• Roads open to highway legal vehicles only

• Roads open to all vehicles, licensed and unlicensed

• Trails open to vehicles 50 inches or less in width, such as all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles

• Trails open to all full-size vehicles but intended for 4x4s because trails may be rugged and narrow

• Trails open to motorcycles only 

Stay safe, act responsibly

Roads, trails, and areas are open to multiple uses. Anticipate encounters with other users and wildlife. Operate vehicles at safe speeds and using appropriate safety gear. Review state law requirements for safety equipment and operation of motor vehicles.

Some routes may be open only during certain times of the year and for certain vehicle types for various reasons. Route markers exist at the entrance to a road or trail and include route numbers that match those shown on motor vehicle use maps and over snow vehicle use maps. 

Your guide is a current motor vehicle use map or over snow vehicle use map. 

Forest Service geospatial data easily available

The Forest Service maintains a wide range of geospatial datasets and ArcGIS Online applications that support diverse projects and programs. To make this information easier to access, we’ve created an open data site where partners and the public can explore our data by category.

You can use these resources alongside your own data to build maps, apps, and informational products.

Visit the Geospatial Data Discovery hub to browse public datasets. Be sure to scroll to the section labelled “More Applications” for a curated selection of interactive tools and applications.