Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Whether you’re hiking a trail, cycling down country roads, or kayaking along coastlines, having the right navigation app can make outdoor adventures safer and more enjoyable. With thousands of options available on the Google Play Store, it can be challenging to sift through and determine which apps are truly the best for navigation in remote areas without cell service. This article analyzes the top 10 Android apps specifically designed for outdoor navigation needs. We evaluated each app based on offline map support, route planning features, accuracy, customization options, and overall usability.
Gaia GPS
The gold standard for offline GPS navigation, Gaia GPS is consistently at the top of “best apps” lists for hiking, backpacking, hunting, and other outdoor activities. With over 30,000,000 miles of trails, topographic maps, and the ability to download entire countries worth of map data for offline use, it’s easy to see why. Gaia supports GPX, KML, and geoJSON file uploads for turn-by-turn routing on your own routes. The app is highly customizable with options to add waypoints, tracks, areas, trip logs, and more. You can also download satellite, road, terrain, and other map layer types. Gaia has a supportive online community where users share maps, beta test new features, and get route planning help. At $30 per year for the full feature version, it’s considered the gold standard for serious outdoor navigators.
Avenza Maps
As one of the most full-featured offline maps available, the Avenza Maps app stands out for its massive catalog of geo-referenced maps which can be downloaded over WiFi and used offline. The app supports over 1 million public domain maps from national and state agencies including topographic maps from the USGS and Forestry Service, nautical charts, and maps from all over the world. You can add waypoints, routes, and tracks and use the navigation tools like compass and measuring tools right on the maps. Avenza is highly customizable with options to add layers, print maps, book mark favorites, and create map packages for specific trips. While the free public maps are an excellent option, Avenza also offers yearly subscriptions to access more commercial maps. Overall it’s an incredibly robust mapping platform ideal for hunting, fishing, off-roading, and other activities requiring highly detailed offline maps.
US Forest Service’s
For basic turn-by-turn navigation in wilderness areas without cell service, the US Forest Service’s Maps app is an excellent free option. It includes offline access to topographic maps for all National Forests across the country for activities like hiking, biking, OHV use, and more. Route planning tools allow you to measure distances and add waypoints along your route which are saved even without an internet connection. The app updates with fresh map data weekly so you always have the latest trail closures and openings at your fingertips offline. Simple navigation tools include a compass and breadcrumb tracking to retrace steps. It’s ideal for quick overnight trips or day hikes on established trails where you won’t need advanced route customization. The free maps and minimalistic tools make this an invaluable app to have loaded before venturing into remote areas.
OSMand+
For international travel as well as domestic adventures, OSMand+ is a powerful free and open source alternative to paid apps. It boasts over 35 million kilometers worth of offline maps from around the world which can be downloaded before trips. The routing engine is capable of planning routes across multiple map sheets as well as factoring in turn restrictions, speed limits and other details. Marker tools let you plot waypoints, routes and tracks. You can navigate via a dedicated GPS navigation view or integrate with other navigation apps. Additional paid features like live map editing, route backups, and enhanced navigation are available via a $10 in-app purchase. Overall it’s an excellent choice if you need worldwide map coverage and robust route planning tools for trips through rural or remote destinations abroad where cell service isn’t reliable.
AllTrails
Providing navigation for over 1 million miles of trails throughout the United States and Canada, AllTrails is the gold standard hiking app for discovering and mapping routes. Highly detailed offline maps powered by community-sourced GPS tracks let you navigate trails without relying on cell service. A robust route planning section allows adding waypoints and designing multi-day backpacking trips with insights into elevation changes, distance, and more. Rich route descriptions include photos and reviews. AllTrails integrates with fitness trackers and has social features that let you follow friends’ hikes. The $30 annual Pro subscription unlocks heatmaps showing popular routes, trailfork integration, and additional maps. It’s the go-to app for hiking route planning and navigation in the US and Canada.
Conclusion
Whether you need maps for mountain biking rural roads, navigating off-trail while hunting or fishing, or backpacking multi-day routes, these 10 apps represent the top options specifically designed for outdoor navigation on Android. Gaia GPS, Avenza Maps, and OSMand+ are the most full-featured for advanced route planning and customization with massive map libraries. The US Forest Service and AllTrails apps are great for navigating popular hiking trails. Consider your specific needs like accessibility to offline maps in remote areas, accuracy, and specialized features when choosing the right app for your activities. Having a capable offline mapping and GPS navigation app truly expands the possibilities for safe adventures off the beaten path.