CalTopo: Backcountry Mapping App Reviews

Cal Topo is top notch for Emergency tracking and information

It would be awesome to have some CarPlay integration. I use this whenever I’m on the ground but would love to see my stuff on the screen on the way to project.

Doesn't do anything without creating an account and logging in first

The more I use this app, the more I appreciate the power and customization. Whether building big mountain bike linkups or planning a backcountry ski tour, CalTopo is my go-to app.

Thank you for adding the Snap To feature in the mobile version! This is so helpful!

Very good tools for skiing and hiking with flexibility to import data from multiple sources, share maps, add photos or whatever. Not as “cool” looking as other maps and there might be a single feature (mapped avy danger) CT doesn’t have, but guessing it will be available as a layer at some point or some dork will figure it out and make it available.

Verde Search & Rescue’s primary mapping system for ground ops. We also use in SAR aircraft and drones with great results.

Love the versatility of this application for managing timber stands to burn units.

Me and my friends all use Caltopo for planning climbing, backcountry skiing, and trail running trips. Easy offline usage and a great web mapping system make it the right choice for backcountry use

Excellent. Highly recommended for trip planning

Best navigation platform bar none. Nothing even comes close. It’s great for hikers, backpackers, SAR, hunting. Anything you’d want in a navigation tool.

Our SAR team started using CalTopo and it’s great. I now use it on personal trips. All the information available in one place makes this app an easy to use one stop shop!

This is the best mapping app

My search and rescue unit utilize CalTopo . It would be so helpful if I could view this app in Apple CarPlay

I have to Sign in with Apple every time I want to refer or use app? No thanks. Disappointed.

CalTopo is so good, it has changed my life. I can be more creative in planning trips than I would ever be otherwise. Thanks a million!

Absolutely the best map app… you might have to work a little bit for all the bells and whistles.. but they’re there !

This is the best mapping software out there. It’s what the pros reach for. You should definitely be mapping this way.

I use this app for all my outdoor activities, including backcountry hiking. Overlaying the different map layers is great, including scanned topos and global imagery. I can record tracks easily and add map items like markers. Get the mobile account for $20/year and you can download the map layers for off-line use. There is lots of CalTopo data on the Internet that you can download.

The desktop app is great for mapping, powerful and quick. The mobile version is very usable in the backcountry also but unfortunately there is one feature that I feel makes Gaia better, taking a picture geo locates it in the app. If CalTopo would add this to their app I would use it as my primary backcountry app.

Abused CalTopo, both online and via the app. Information moves back-and-forth seamlessly, the options are awesome..

This is the premier back county mapping tool. Great for SAR.

I have been using CalTopo for years on the computer to plan my adventures. It is a professional grade platform that focuses on the tools that a person needs to plan outdoor adventures, SAR operations, map building. The phone app allows you to take all of that with you right into the outdoors. Get a subscription to really unlock the features so a person can appreciate what this is. I am currently teaching a friend out to navigate in the back country and read maps. This has been a great learning t

This has been a great SAR tool for me and my team. I have also used it for personal hikes and it has been outstanding. It may be a bit overkill for the casual day hiker, but then again the most basic elements can be learned and employed quickly.

I started using CalTopo for Search and Rescue. Now it’s my hiking buddy!

This is an amazing tool for navigation!! I have used this at night and during the day. It has revolutionized GPS navigation.

Love the features and maps but the latency makes it nearly unusable. Even in offline maps it’s super slow.

To glitchy for iPad. Why no pro maps with my full time subscription?

I’ll admit I was getting frustrated at first as there is definitely a steep learning curve. Now that I have a handle on things I cannot wait to plan my summer trips!!!

Love the desktop app but the mobile version needs work. Lots of blank screens, strange artifacts or flashing colors. Restarting the app helps but we shouldn’t need to do this half the time. This app can be fantastic just needs some work.

Whenever I open a map, the app just goes to the last place I was on the map, not the location of the map I’m using. App has a very poor interface.

I’ve tried everything and it only loads part of the map. Very frustrating.

Bought the upgrade and nothing changed

Very detailed and high tech BUT way too technical , difficult to use and long costumer service wait times ( days ) . I jumped ship to OnX backcountry which is WAY more user friendly and has excellent customer service .