You won't have to worry about getting lost in a national park with this free tool
National parks are known for a lot of things, but cell service isn't always one of them. Many parks are located in remote areas, where wireless reception may be weak or in some areas, nonexistent.
No worries about getting lost though.
You can download a map ahead of time on Google Maps that will work even when you lose cell service.
In the Google Maps app on your smartphone, simply type in the name of the national park, then select "Download for offline use" at the bottom of the screen.
The app will then ask "Download this map?" and give you a choice to download or cancel, advising that downloads will take up memory on your phone. Select download.
Once it's ready, the app will say: "Download is complete. Just use Maps normally, even when offline." It will also note that the download will expire in a year unless it's updated.
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Make sure to download the map before you go to the park and potentially lose cell service.
Once you're inside, you'll see your location as a dynamic blue dot, as well as the location of amenities like restrooms.
The free tool is available for all U.S. national parks. It was introduced in April 2023 along with several other features for park visitors:
▶ Key attractions are identifiable at a glance with photo highlights you can click on to find more details, images and reviews from the Google Maps community.
▶ Popular trails are mapped out from start to finish and include crowd-sourced photos, tips and reviews from fellow users.
▶ More detailed directions are available to park entrances and trailheads, whether traveling by car, bike or foot.
Of course, it's always a good idea to stop by park visitor centers to talk to rangers about plans in person. Make sure to grab a park brochure with a paper map for backup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These national parks maps work even when cell service drops out
