How to download free topo maps for garmin gps

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Free Garmin GPS Maps I remember my first search for free Garmin GPS maps had me pulling my hair out after spending hours trying to download them and getting them to work on my GPS, which is the one I list below, but the good news is that getting the maps is the easy part.

The map on the left is the free map. You could create whole websites devoted to the subject, and people have see below.

OpenStreetMaps are the Wikipedia of maps. The public contributes to, confirms, and edits the data on the map. This curation goes for hiking trails too. The maps are regularly updated, and over the last few years have seemed the most accurate in my experience. You can even become a contributor if you like. First off, the Garmin unit you have might have maps already.

Then pick the region you want, and download the appropriate map package link way at the bottom of the page. The files are pretty big. The download might take a while. The instructions are different for Mac and PC. The map website has a link for installation instructions, click on that. My instructions cover the installation on a Mac, but I have some general that fill in the gaps for installing on Windows below.

You can download and install these programs while you wait for your maps to download. The maps are on your computer. It will allow you to browse maps, create tracks, and is invaluable in planning hikes.

Make sure the device firmware is updated to get the latest settings. Here are some tips from fellow hiker Dave T. Check the website where the maps are offered for directions on how to install them.

I recommend planning your hike and creating a GPX file beforehand. Most Garmin GPS units are too small for anything more than impromptu navigation planning. I have a tutorial on how to plan a hiking route for your Garmin GPS here. And I could use your help. Have an idea on how to make these guides better? Leave me your thoughts here. What is a GPX File? Garmin Fenix 6 In-Depth Review. How To Read a Topographic Map. GPS for Dummies. Hiking Gear. Garmin Fenix. Gifts For Hikers —