GPS Map for offroading

[wibornz]

What mount are you using for your tablet?

I use 67 Design and this tablet mount.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PZZYR4K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[west tex]

How well does the Uconnect NAV map work for off road trails?

 

[Steve JLUR]

David,

Yes, earlier the better at making reservations at any Colorado State or National Park. Especially with Covid restrictions.

However, I would also explore the National Forest Service published Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) throughout the entire state. These can be obtained online at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/arp/maps-pubs

Find the National Forest(s) of interest and download whichever maps are most appropriate for your journey. Every map is organized by Ranger District. Furthermore, each map typically also highlights all the authorized dispersed camping sites along each and every designated trail.

In addition, there is a mobile app called "Avenza" which will also help you download any US Forest Service MVUM for free or many other State or Commercial maps for a small fee.

Along with the MVUM's (which are the official authoritative source for all National Forest motor vehicle access), you can also download free Topographic and/or Motor Vehicle Travel Maps (MVTMs) which show a lot more detail but are not the officially declarative source for showing which trails have legal access. Only the MVUMs show which trails are legally accessable to the type of vehicle you are driving based on seasonal or special instructions.

Furthermore, when using the Avenza app in real time with GPS Location Services enabled on your phone or tablet, the app will track your live position on any downloaded map while offline. Better yet, by downloading corresponding maps to a 'Collection' folder, the app will automatically follow you from map to map between any Forest Service Ranger Districts or National Forest Boundaries. It will do this for any map type: MVUM, MVTM, Topos or any other map that you purchase or acquire through it's online store.

So with a little organization and planning you should be able to camp in literally tens of thousands of possible locations (free) in any of the authorized dispersed spots anywhere within the National Forest system. Of course the primary downside to 'dispersed' camping is there are no amenities. You get what you pay for (or bring along). The up side is there are so many more locations available to camp with absolutely no reservations required. Clearly however, this is always explicitly on a first come basis.

In addition, every MVUM also indicates all the primary contact resources, such as the Ranger District office address and phone number contacts for any additional and all up to date Forest trail access / closure information.

My wife and I live very close to Rocky Mountain National Park but rarely go there due to the crowds and now the covid 'reservation.gov' red-tape. With the Roosevelt along with many other National and State Forests nearby, we're never very far from truly amazing trails. Some are highlighted in the published Jeeping Trail Guide books but most are not. So we are frequently out exploring our really incredible 'backyard'.

We only ask that while visiting please 'Stay the Trail', be respectful, and resposible. Please don't give the governmental authorities any further reasons to close our public access. It seems that we're loosing more and more access every year due to irresponsible and improper trail usage. It doesn't take much trail abuse for the Rangers and District Managers responsible for this Forest land to close trails either temporarily or even permanently these days. Our local Jeep Club along with many other Public Access minded people are always struggling to prevent closures and foster public land access. It's more of a problem than most people realize.

Hope this helps. Welcome to colorful Colorado. Very happy trails. Enjoy...

Jay

Thank you. This is great info. we are anxiously waiting to become a first time Jeep owner. We want to have fun with it and, it is great to have direction responsible use.

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