Before you head off on your camping adventure, there’s a good chance you’ve done a bit of scouting regarding your chosen campsite to get a feel for the terrain, layout, and natural surroundings. However, if you are planning remote or backcountry camping, physical scouting may not be possible. You’ll have to rely on research. Whether you find yourself in one of these scenarios, it is advisable to have GPS and navigation apps installed on your Smartphone.
For Android users, Google Maps comes pre-installed on your device, and for iPhone users, you have Apple Maps. These applications are equipped with all the basic features you need for navigation. Before you hit the trail, you can set waypoints, mark out your route, and even download the area where you plan to camp for offline use. So, even if you’re in a signal dead zone, you won’t get lost.
These apps can also give you important information like your elevation, weather statistics, and real-time coordinates of your location. This can be invaluable, especially in emergencies where sharing your real-time position becomes necessary. If you find that the built-in maps apps on your device don’t fully meet your needs, you can explore alternative options. You can do so by seeking recommendations from fellow campers, forums, social media, and conducting your own research.