Map Descriptions

Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series and Forest Visitor Maps are at a scale of 1:126,720 (one half inch to the mile) and are useful for general trip planning and navigating the main state, county, and primary Forest Service roads. These maps denote land ownership, and highlight developed recreation sites including campgrounds, trails, boat launches, and day use areas. *Pacific Northwest Recreation Maps feature both National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands. 

Ranger District Maps are at a scale of 1:63,360 (one inch to the mile) and are useful for detailed trip planning and navigating a District’s secondary, unpaved, one-lane, and backcountry roads. In addition to developed recreation sites, these maps show hiking trails and roads closed to vehicle use. District maps include elevation contours. These maps are popular with hunters, hikers, and those interested in dispersed recreation and cross-country foot travel.

Wilderness Maps are generally at a scale of 1:63,360 (one inch to the mile) and are useful for those planning and completing trips into designated Wilderness. These maps include elevation contours and vegetation cover, and highlight Wilderness boundaries, trailheads, and trails and include pertinent information needed by visitors to Wilderness areas.

Forest Service Topographic Maps  cover all Forest Service lands and is created at a scale of 1:24K (2.6 inches to a mile) for the continental United States and Puerto Rico and at 1:25K (2.5 inches to a mile) for Alaska. and offer the most detailed view of the terrain. These maps also feature recreation features, such as such as roads, trails, and campgrounds. 

Motor Vehicle Use Maps. These maps display National Forest System routes (roads and trails) that are open to motor vehicles. They are generally at scales of between 1:42,000 and 1:75,000 (about 1.5 and 0.85 inches to the mile) and display only National Forest System routes (roads and trails) that are open to motor vehicles. It is the responsibility of motor vehicle users to acquire the Motor Vehicle Use Map. They are available FREE at Forest Service offices and online via the Avenza App.

Digital versions of Forest Service  maps are available on Avenza. The Avenza website allows for georeferenced maps to be downloaded to a mobile device. The software offers GPS tracking for the user and shows where they are on the map.