Want to get out with the family and enjoy the fall folliage? Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making it easier than ever with downloadable trial maps and apps.
“We have over 1000 miles of hiking trails in Maryland, ” says Steve Carr, DNR’s land trail planner. “Now we are making it possible for people to access, download, and locate their GPS location on every trail in Maryland.”
The Mapping Exercise Online program will allow hikers to access maps in three different digital forms. First, for the first time, users will be able to download a PDF map of a specfic trail directly from each park’s website. Hikers can print it out and immediately walk out the door. You can get to each park’s website from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. The are currently uploading the maps.
Second, the maps can also be viewed on smartphones, so if you are on the go and want to see the map easily on a smaller screen, its cell phone friendly.
Third, DNR is partnering with a 3rd party called Avenza to provide a free smart phone app. Once downloaded, you can choose whichever park you are going to and pull up the map. The app map also allows for GPS locators which can tell you your location just in case you get lost.
Now get out and enjoy the foliage knowing you can find your way home.
Check out our story on Eight hikes perfect for families.
