Calling all overlanding enthusiasts—are you ready to elevate your adventures to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just beginning your overlanding journey, having the right apps and tools at your fingertips can transform your experience. That’s why, in this ultimate guide, we’ll dive into the must-have apps and tools designed to enhance every aspect of your overlanding trips. From navigation to campsite planning, we’ve got you covered.
Navigation is key when it comes to overlanding, and having a reliable GPS app can help you navigate off-grid areas with ease. These apps are designed specifically for off-road enthusiasts, offering detailed maps, waypoint marking, and even offline navigation capabilities. Additionally, with these apps, you can explore remote trails confidently, knowing you’ll never get lost. When you’re out in the wilderness, staying connected is crucial for safety and peace of mind.
What to Look for in an Overlanding Navigation App
- Offline Maps – Essential for areas without cellphone service
- Trail Data & Waypoints – Includes existing Trails, campsites, water sources & current weather conditions
- GPS Accuracy and reliability – Ensures the trails are open to public and not private land
- User Interface & Ease of Use – Important for quick route planning
- Community Features – Community recommendations, reviews & updates
- Integration with different Devices – Sync with phones, tablets & computers
- Pricing & Subscriptions – Free vs paid
Top Offroad Apps for Finding the Best Remote Trails
When it comes to overlanding, two apps stand out as the most popular choices in the community. Before diving into other options, it’s worth focusing on these two, as most users tend to choose one or the other—unless they prefer to avoid a monthly subscription. To determine which app suits your needs best, the most effective approach is to try both. Plan the same trip using each app, and compare their features, usability, and overall experience. This hands-on method will help you decide which one aligns better with your overlanding style and preferences.
1. Gaia GPS
- Best for: Detailed Topographic maps & offline navigation.
- Key Features: Offline maps, customizable overlays, route planning, and integration with external GPS devices.
- Pros: Highly detailed, and great community resources.
- Cons: Steeper Learning curve, paid version for access to full features
- Pricing: Free, Premium $4.99/mo ($59.90 Annually), Outside+ Premium $7.49/mo ($89.99 Annually)
2. OnX Offroad
- Best for: User-friendly interface with trail-specific data.
- Key Features: Offline maps, public/private and land boundaries, vehicle-specific trail ratings.
- Pros: Easy to use, well-curated trail information, works on multiple devices
- Cons: Subscription required for full features
- Pricing: Free 7-day Trial, Premium $2.92/mo ($34.99 Annually), Elite $8.33/mo ($99.99 Annually)
I use and prefer On X because I like that it is more user-friendly and I enjoy the layout and how the app is structured over Gaia but they are both incredible navigation apps and they both provide all the features we could ever need to go overlanding. There are several other apps worth considering. Here are a few lesser-known but highly effective navigation apps for finding remote trails.
3. iOverlander
- Best for: Finding campsites, water sources, and overlanding stops.
- Key Features: Crowd-sourced camp spots, gas stations, repair shops, border crossing details.
- Pros: Free to use, extensive database of user-submitted locations, works offline.
- Cons: Not a dedicated navigation app, limited trail details.
- Pricing: Free
iOverlander is a great companion to pair with your dedicated navigation app. The best part is that it is completely free!
4. Google Maps
- Best for: Basic navigation and preloading offline maps.
- Key Features: Free offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic updates, satellite view.
- Pros: Free, widely available, easy to use, works on nearly all devices.
- Cons: It lacks detailed off-road trail data, no topographic maps, and limited waypoint functionality.
- Pricing: Free
5. Overland Bound One
- Best for: Connecting with the overland community and discovering user-submitted trails.
- Key Features: Offline maps, route planning, community-driven trail sharing, waypoint marking and trip logging.
- Pros: Strong overlanding community, detailed trail information, offline capabilities.
- Cons: Smaller trail database compared to Gaia GPS and On X, some features require membership.
- Pricing: Free Basic version; premium membership starts at $3.33 per month (39.99 Annually)
Bonus Tip
If you are looking for an affordable but sturdy and reliable phone/tablet mount holder that won’t shake around on those rocky off-road trails, check out Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions
