Hiking
Blue Ridge Parkway Maps for Your Phone, Offline
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The Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Virginia to North Carolina, and cell service drops out in the gaps between towns and overlooks. Download your maps at home and your phone's GPS dot stays on the road and the trails even with no bars.
What we have
Cartahaven carries free National Park Service maps and USGS topo maps for the Blue Ridge area. Search by state to see what is available: Virginia maps and North Carolina maps.
Each map page shows its source, so you can see who made it before you download. We do not claim any map is the official Parkway map unless its page says so.
Before you go
Check the National Park Service for closures. Sections of the Parkway close in winter and after storms, and trail conditions change quickly. Fog and rain can also make it hard to tell one overlook or trailhead from the next, which is when a map with your position on it is most useful.
- Search the state you are visiting.
- Open a map and check its source and the area it covers.
- Download it on Wi-Fi.
- Test it in airplane mode.
Plan your trip with topo maps
Topo maps show contour lines, which tell you how steep a trail is before you start. Read backcountry trip planning with USGS topo maps and how to download USGS topo maps as GeoPDF.
Common questions
Is this the official Parkway map?
Look at the source on each map's page. Only maps labeled with their source are what they say.
Does it work offline?
Yes, once downloaded. See GeoPDF maps offline on your phone.
Should I bring a paper map?
Yes. Phones run out of battery, so carry a paper map and a compass as a backup.
Download maps for both states if you plan to cross the state line along the Parkway.
Find Parkway-area maps and make a free account to save them.