Adventure awaits: USGS releases detailed topographic maps designed for recreational use

New on-demand maps will enhance outdoor navigation for nature explorers

See the news release

National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC)

3D Hydrography Program (3DHP)

Remapping the Nation's Hydrography

3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

Foundational elevation data for the Nation

US Topo maps - powered by The National Map

Available for free and immediate download

Explore Historical USGS Topographic Maps

The Historical Topographic Map Collection contains USGS topographic maps published from 1884 to 2006

National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

The U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC), under the National Geospatial Directorate (NGD), provides leadership and world-class technical expertise in the acquisition and management of trusted geospatial data, services and map products for the Nation. The NGTOC supports a variety of topographic mapping products and services that constitute The National Map.

Learn more about The National Map

US Topo maps - powered by The National Map

Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River, Chattanooga, TN

Past, present, and next generation USGS topographic maps are available as a part of The National Map.

Visit Topographic Maps for more information on historical topographic maps, US Topo, and OnDemand Topos.

The National Map training

Zhe Zhu and Curtis Woodcock at LCMAP workshop

The National Geospatial Program has released a series of videos for people who are working with The National Map data and services.

These “how to” videos show how to use the services and interfaces to access data and tools.

Quick links

This photograph shows a backpacker on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Adventure awaits: USGS releases detailed topographic maps designed for recreational use

July 31, 2025 - The U.S. Geological Survey has released an innovative new series of topographic maps with a user-friendly design tailored specifically for recreational users, enhancing the outdoor experience.

Read the news release

A screenshot of The National Map Viewer dashboard with "The National Map Viewer" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to The National Map Viewer

A screenshot of topoBuilder image with "topoBuilder" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to topoBuilder

A screenshot of EarthExplorer image with "EarthExplorer" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to EarthExplorer

A screenshot of Landsat data image with " Landsat data access" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to Landsat data access

A screenshot of 3DEP data image with "3D Elevation Products (3DEP)" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to 3DEP products

A screenshot of EROS data archive room with "EROS data archive" text overlain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

Go to EROS data archive

News

September 30, 2025

Regional View, Reliable Data: Introducing the USGS 250K Topo

March 27, 2025

New USGS National Map 3D Viewer

January 22, 2025

The National Map Corps January 2025 Newsletter - Vol. 11 | Issue 1

Publications

September 24, 2025

The National Map Corps—Federal Emergency Management Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory pilot project report The National Map Corps—Federal Emergency Management Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory pilot project report

This report provides an overview of the U.S. Geological Survey National Map Corps —Federal Emergency Management Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory pilot project in St. James Parish, Louisiana, that began in February 2024 and ended at the end of March 2024. The project used the power of The National Map Corps’ volunteer community to improve building classifications in the original...

Authors

Tatyana Dimascio, Greg Matthews, Erin Korris

By

National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

June 12, 2025

U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward

This “U.S. Geological Survey Pollinator Science Strategy, 2025–35—A Review and Look Forward” (“Pollinator Science Strategy”) describes the science vision of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support management, conservation, and policy decisions on animal pollinators and their habitats. As the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the USGS has a primary role in providing...

Authors

Clint Otto, Tabitha A. Graves, Desi Robertson-Thompson, Ian Pearse, Wayne Thogmartin, Caroline Murphy, Elisabeth Webb, Sam Droege, Melanie Steinkamp, Ralph Grundel

By

Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

September 5, 2024

Automated deep learning-based point cloud classification on USGS 3DEP lidar data using transformer Automated deep learning-based point cloud classification on USGS 3DEP lidar data using transformer

The goal of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is to facilitate the acquisition of nationwide lidar data. Although data meet USGS lidar specifications, some point cloud tiles include noisy and incorrectly classified points. The enhanced accuracy of classified point clouds can improve support for many downstream applications such as hydrologic analysis, urban...

Authors

Jung-Kuan Liu, Rongjun Qin, Shuang Song

By

Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS), National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

Science

Collage of software mapper tools.

July 2, 2025

2025 CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) was proud to host the 2025 CEGIS Annual Research Meeting July 22-24, 2025. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our researchers and their...

By

Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS), 3D Elevation Program, 3D Hydrography Program, 3D National Topography Model, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

July 2, 2025

2025 CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) was proud to host the 2025 CEGIS Annual Research Meeting July 22-24, 2025. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our researchers and their...

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