OnX GPS, Gaia GPS, All Trails or other for hiking and public land boundaries

[stevo_pct]

I'm looking for (ideally) a single GPS app that I can use. The features that are most important to me are:

1) Download maps for use offline (out of range)

2) Public land boudaries - I do a lot of dispersed camping and want to be sure I'm on public land

3) Backcountry roads - although I am not doing difficult "off roading", just navigating

4) Hiking/Backpacking trails

OnX Hunt looks like a good option, especially with respect to private/public land boundaries, but it's not really geared toward hiking trails. They have an "Off Road" version, but that's a lot of the same info as "Hunt" and I don't need any information on "off roading". They also have a "Backcountry" product, but apparently the trail system is not as large as other more trail oriented apps.

It looks like Gaia GPS is geared toward hiking trails and also shows public lands for the purpose of dispersed camping.

Has anyone else figured this out? Are there other ideas/apps that would work?

I'm basically looking for a hiking trails app that I can also use to make sure I'm camping on public lands and not private property. I plan to use it here in the Rocky Mountain states.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Hard to beat Gaia. It has a lot of layers that you can customize to your use (including private and public) and it's super easy to download huge areas unlike OnX. Been using it for years for work, hiking, exploring around, and hunting.

 

[pcstockton]

GAIA for the win! Does everything you want. I believe you need the highest tier of membership to get the Public/Private lands map layer.

It is worth every penny and there are hundreds of layers you can download.

 

[mbuckner]

Thumbs up for GAIA...

 

[Errant]

I do a lot of dispersed camping as well as backpacking. GAIA has been my goto for years.

 

[stevo_pct]

Thanks everyone! Gaia seems to be the clear winner.

 

[Markal]

I do all those things and use Gaia. Get it via Outside + and you’ll also get AllTrails Pro and the various media sites.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Gaia doesn’t show land ownership. Does it?

 

[m-l_johnny]

Gaia doesn’t show land ownership. Does it?

It does with premium membership

 

[Howard70]

While I use and enjoy Gaia, it isn’t a one-stop shop for me. Typically I combine Gaia and CalTopo on my mobile devices and computers. If Gaia supported editing of tracks (aside from just trimming) and had a more robust folders structure I’d be happier with it.
I’m in the Apple world and can attest that both programs work well there. Several years ago I was less enthusiastic about Gaia when I was a Windows/Android user. I suspect Gaia’s Android app has improved since then.

Howard

 

[86scotty]

@Steve, are you IOS or Android? If IOS try PocketEarth, which isn't available on Android. I use Gaia and a couple of other apps but I revert to the simplicity of Pocket Earth quite often because it seems to always find me with/without a signal and just runs more seamlessly than other apps I use. It used to be free, I have no idea if it is anymore. The one thing is doesn't do, that I know of, is offer downloadable maps.

Unfortunately, for me, there is no one app for my mix of activities in the backcountry. Driving (roads), offroading, hiking, camping. But Pocket Earth is a better general app for all of these than any specific app I've used for one thing.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

It does with premium membership

Really where I have a premium membership but have not stumbled across that feature. I thought that was a major distinction between onX and Gaia

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Oh and how do I find it?

 

[IdaSHO]

its just another layer to add to your list

We have been using Gaia since 2017 for backpacking and public land boondocking.
Typically have a USGS topo, sat-imagery, private land and public land layers on.

BTW, the property ownership layer is a must-have for those hunting real-estate

 

[m-l_johnny]

Oh and how do I find it?

With the private land layer enabled, tap or click on the area in question. A window will open and tap or click on the info in the window. Property owner's name, lot size and address should show.