Quick Answer: The best off-road mapping resources fall into two categories: government websites and dedicated GPS apps. For legal trail information, road conditions, and OHV regulations in national parks and public lands, start with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management websites. For route planning on the go, AllTrails, Gaia GPS, and OnX Offroad are the top apps used by the off-road community. AllTrails and Gaia GPS both offer free tiers, while OnX Offroad is paid-only but built exclusively for off-road use. Before any trip, cross-reference at least one official government source with your mapping app to confirm trail status and any current closures.

Planning your next off-road adventure takes time, preparation, and research. If you’re not looking in the right place, chances are you’ll be missing out on crucial information about potential trail closures and conditions. Quantum Fuel Systems is here to get you squared away with our guide to off-road mapping.

We get out on the trail as much as we can. We want to help anyone getting into the hobby, so we've compiled a list of resources for anyone planning to off-road while using their ATV, motorcycle, UTV/Side-by-Side, or four-wheel-drive vehicles. 

From family-friendly Jeep trails to black diamond-rated routes, the resources listed here give you access to information listing legal off-road trail systems throughout the United States and outside the continental U.S. in some cases. Bookmark this page and download these apps while you gear up for your next off-road excursion. 

QFS specializes in direct OE-replacement components for the widest selection of Powersports and automotive applications. Be sure to check out our extensive catalog before hitting the wilderness. Stocking up on dependable fuel pumps and fuel system components could save your trip.

Off-Road Mapping Resources - Websites

The United States Forest Service:

The U.S. Forest Service is an invaluable resource for anyone planning their next off-road trip who lives near or plans on passing through a national park. Off-roaders can find a comprehensive list of Off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes and recreation areas in every national park across the country.

In addition, there is plenty of important information regarding camping, camping restrictions, road conditions, closures, and weather or general hazard warnings. Other apps and services may offer the same information, but these are the people providing that information to the public regarding national parks.

Beyond that, the U.S. Forest Service website provides detailed outlines of which vehicles are suitable for any given trail. Some OHV parks and certain trail systems may have specific regulations to follow, all of which will be stipulated here.

In addition, the USFS is responsible for maintaining these routes and provides contact information for district offices, where you can speak with USFS Rangers, who often have up-to-date information available. We strongly encourage readers to take down relevant field office phone numbers in an emergency.

Bureau of Land Management:

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service serve similar functions in that both agencies manage public lands, keeping them maintained and suitable for multiple uses. Their websites offer helpful information, including a database of all OHV recreation areas and trails managed by the BLM. 

Camping information, including amenities, restrictions, pricing, and more, is readily available for those interested. Not unlike the U.S. Forest Service website, all this information is free and constantly updated. Once again, contact local field offices for the most up-to-date information. BLM staff have a wealth of knowledge regarding the areas they serve, including closures and poor trail conditions. 

Off-Road Mapping Resources - Apps

AllTrails

AllTrails is available on Android and iOS and is one of the best free resources for route planning available today. We should note that there is a $29.99 Pro service plan, but the free account is more than enough to plan a route and search for trails by location. Pro does unlock helpful features such as downloadable maps and offline access, lifeline features to alert your whereabouts, an off-route alert system, and real-time map overlays (air quality, weather, light, and more).

Many readers may associate AllTrails with outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, or bicycling. However, users can search for OHV trails specifically. Even more helpful is the detailed user-generated information, such as reviews, difficulty ratings, trail length, time estimates, and photos.

This information is invaluable, as popular, regularly trafficked trails receive regular updates and can provide quality insight regarding your upcoming journey. Trust us; nothing is worse than hitting a path you and your vehicle aren’t entirely ready to manage. 

Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS has quickly taken over the off-road scene. It has become especially popular with 4-wheel-drive owners and even more so with ADV, dual-sport, and enduro motorcyclists since it has comparable functionality to standalone GPS units.

Much like AllTrails, Gaia has a thriving community and user-generated trail data. You can isolate off-road trails, ensuring that you aren’t taken down standard hiking routes. Difficulty ratings and mileage are references, too. 

As with many GPS apps, these are multifunctional tools that allow users to always remain on legal trails, providing accurate campsite, park, and forest locations in conjunction with weather overlays. Gaia is no different in that regard.

300LPH Universal External Inline Fuel Pump w/ Inlet Outlet, QFS-607FT

ADD TO CART

Gaia has grown in popularity within the off-roading community because it allows users to create custom waypoints and develop off-roading routes. There are also detailed layers of information providing elevation, grade, and much more. Users can also import premade GPX files, which are often distributed for rallies and other off-road events. Lastly, Gaia GPS supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seamlessly integrating with a modern dashboard.

Premium Membership is $19.99 per year and unlocks numerous features that hardcore off-roaders deem worthy. Some of the best features include mass-download maps for offline use and access to the worldwide map database.

That database includes ESRI World Satellite Imagery, NOAA weather forecasts, U.S. Private Land Ownership (including owner names and addresses for parcels), US Hunting Layers, U.S. Public Land (BLM, Forests, and more), and most importantly, U.S. Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs), and more.

The main downside of using your mobile device instead of a standalone GPS unit is that they are not as pinpoint accurate. However, they’re unlikely to get you off course, and unless you need absolute precision in your route tracking, using your smartphone is more than adequate.

Gaia GPS is available on Android and iOS.

OnX Offroad

OnX Offroad is one of the few apps designed for off-road navigation specifically. Unfortunately, it is the only app on this list that doesn’t have a free membership. The yearly service fee is $29.99.

The upshot is that OnX Offroad is geared toward anyone looking for off-road trails and prevents users from accidentally combining non-off-road trails into their lists. It does not list standard trails. OnX Offroad boasts a massive database with 985 million acres of public land and over 550,000 miles of roads and trails, with specific information such as open dates and width restrictions. 4WD owners will appreciate that.

Reference countless topographic and satellite maps to create routes and custom waypoints that can be shared with friends in your group. More importantly, what sets it apart from other mapping apps is that it caters to the off-road community in more ways than one.

The map interface allows users to filter trails and display routes into specific categories. Categories include Dirt bike trails, 50-inch trails (dirt bikes and ATVs), high-clearance 4x4 trails (Jeeps, Side-by-Sides, ATVs, motorcycles), and full-width roads.

Again, no other app in this article accommodates those features, giving you unparalleled route-planning knowledge. Need to create a loop and keep it dirt bikes only? You can do that. Want to make sure that your ATV or Side-by-Side buddies can join in? Well, you can map that out as well.

Lastly, OnX Offroad supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

OnX Offroad is available on Android and iOS.

Stock Up on Spares Before Your Next Off-Road Trip

Quantum Fuel Systems offers high-quality off-road vehicle fuel system components that meet and exceed OEM specifications. If you’re planning on hitting some major off-road trails, bring spares that could save an expensive tow. We are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST. Have technical questions? Contact us via phone or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best app for off-road trail mapping?

It depends on what you're riding and how much you want to spend. OnX Offroad is the strongest option if you want a purpose-built tool with vehicle-specific trail filters for dirt bikes, ATVs, Side-by-Sides, and 4x4s. Gaia GPS is the go-to for ADV and dual-sport riders who want detailed elevation data, custom waypoints, and GPX file support. AllTrails works well for beginners who need a free starting point with community-generated trail reviews and OHV search filters.

Are off-road trail mapping apps accurate?

Generally, yes, but no app replaces a call to the local field office. Apps like Gaia GPS and OnX Offroad pull from real data sources including USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps and BLM public land databases, but trail conditions, closures, and seasonal restrictions change. Always cross-reference with the U.S. Forest Service or BLM website before heading out, especially for remote or backcountry routes.

How do I find legal off-road trails near me?

Start with the U.S. Forest Service website (fs.usda.gov) or the Bureau of Land Management site (blm.gov) and search by your state or region. Both agencies maintain searchable databases of legal OHV recreation areas with details on vehicle restrictions, open seasons, and permit requirements. From there, use an app like OnX Offroad or Gaia GPS to plan the actual route.

Can I use Google Maps for off-road trail navigation?

Google Maps is not designed for off-road use. It lacks OHV trail data, vehicle-specific restrictions, elevation profiles, and offline capability for remote areas. For anything off pavement, use a dedicated app like Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad. Both support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so you can still use your vehicle's infotainment system.

What is the difference between AllTrails and Gaia GPS for off-roading?

AllTrails is more accessible and community-driven, with detailed user reviews and photos that help you gauge trail conditions before you go. Gaia GPS is more technically robust, with superior map layers, GPX file importing, elevation and grade data, and better tools for building custom routes. Hardcore off-roaders tend to graduate to Gaia GPS once they need more than basic navigation.

Why should I carry spare fuel system parts on an off-road trip?

A fuel pump failure in the backcountry is not a minor inconvenience. It can strand you miles from the nearest trailhead with no cell service and an expensive tow ahead of you. Carrying a QFS replacement fuel pump that matches your bike, ATV, or outboard motor means a mechanical issue stays a quick trailside fix instead of a trip-ending breakdown. QFS parts are built to OEM spec and backed by a lifetime warranty, so the spare you bring will actually work when you need it.