Viewranger is a GPS app for trekking, hiking and camping. This allows the user to access the map without signal. This is embedded with AR and loaded with the data of the terrains so the user can know or experience what it is that he is seeing or will experience. The app works with Rescue Teams from USA, Canada and Europe. The app can work for free but in the free version you cannot download and print routes, get accommodation suggestions, get the weather forecast. But you can try the “Paid” version for free up to 30 days.
All Trails is an application that emphasizes creating a community which updates each other. The app has an enormous amount of people using it and they share their photos and reviews on the routes/trip for the campers that follow them later. Although, currently the details uploaded on app are vague and limited, It helps to find new routes for the journey and the reviews from preceding users can prove to be helpful. A helpful feature of it is that it can show you child- and dog-friendly paths. And this app is free to use. Overall, this app can be a good way to explore more.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Free to use
The route details are limited
Works on iOS and Android
There may be no routes to find in small cities and towns
Not a GPS app but an application that is good at highlighting the amenities along your path. Wikicamps is like a guide app that you can use to look up and narrow down the options for various activities. This app has a good filter that can help you find types of places you are looking for such as parking spots, toilets, WLAN, BBQ; dog-friendly places etc. The application only functions in five English speaking countries and is paid. And the price varies from country-to-country.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Works on Windows, iOS and Android
Works only in UK; USA; Canada, Australia and New Zealand
This is a non-profit app that completely runs on donations. Its worldwide functionality helps many campers to find the right sport to carry out their activities. It can search for basic amenities, users can post photos to inform the succeeding campers and the community itself is highly engaged. The application also provides a detailed description of places. It offers offline functionality only people cannot view the maps in that mode. It is completely free to use on mobiles.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Free to use
Some of the information is outdated
Works on iOS and Android
Tends to slow down or crash after prolonged usage
Worldwide functionality
Some places are hard to find without GPS coordinates
As the name suggests it is a Manual for the people who want to learn more about camping. The book provides the user with useful information like tying knots, species of tree, plant, fungi etc. While this app is only available for Android, there can also be many options in the App Store. This resource can be useful if you are a serious camper, you are in an emergency. It is an offline free-to-use application. Overall this application can be a good addition to the camping software.
Gaia GPS is another navigation app helpful for campers. It has the functionalities like basic maps, record activities and create routes in the free version, most of the useful functions are available in the Premium version. For now the pricing goes maximum upto 5 USD per month.
The Premium version also gives you access to extended European maps and offline use. As it works on iOS and Android it is suitable for almost every mobile user.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Works on iOS and Android
Need to buy the subscription in order to download European Maps
FreeCampsites.net is a website that is community driven, and it provides the user with the information of campsites. Here users can add campsites as they discover them and help other people. The sites which are listed have detailed descriptions like amenities, charges, weather etc. The application has many sites listed in the United States, but out of that there are less sites. The website looks old-fashioned and has floating ads, but can be used for free. Also some information on this can be outdated.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Free to use
Website is a bit old-fashioned and has floating ads
Maps.me is an open-source multilingual application which comes packed with plenty of good features. The application is suitable for everyone from the hikers to the people who are on a journey / hitchhikers. The app is Web-based but also has applications for Android and iOS. It helps you find a range of places and amenities across almost every country. The interface is clean and easy to use. It has integration with a virtual wallet that can be helpful while on a journey. It is also integrated with other services like Uber. The highlight-feature of this app is it’s place-finding feature can be done in a click.
Caltopo is a very powerful map-building app for planning a trip and more. The app allows its user to plan the very details of the journey. The software is mainly Web-based but is also available for iOS and Android. You can view the map with many permutations of lenses like OpenStreet , OpenCycle, Global imagery, Forest Services etc. and overlay it with Geology, Sun Exposure, Public Land etc. These advanced features are useful even for the researchers. The app does have a Pro version but for the travelers the basic version would be more than enough.
This app can be very useful if people plan ahead of time where they want to go. This app does not have all the maps preloaded on it, instead you need to manually download them according to the place you want to go to. The maps are detailed and users can track the journey and drop pins on the points of interest. When you wish to look for a new map you cannot preview it instead you have to download it. This occupies space in the device. This application can be helpful if the user already has a trip planned.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Very detailed maps
Uses more space overtime
Records GPS tracks
Map search is time consuming
Need to plan before and download the maps for different places
