Some places just seem to call for paper maps, where a yellow highlighter can trace and remind you of your rambles.
Interstate rest stops are some of my favorite places when it comes to getting ideas for new adventures. Inside their doors are racks filled with printed brochures and colorful maps that promise excitement just down the road. It’s a banner day when I can replace my old, well-worn, highway map with a brand-new, up-to-date one, indicating where freshly laid blacktop can now take me and previously unheard-of natural areas have been set aside—and where the “blank spots” still exist.
According to a recent article in the Associated Press, however, paper maps supplied by government agencies and private businesses may soon be displaced by our own GPS units and the built-in navigation technology on our smartphones. You and I could soon walk into a rest stop on I-94, let’s say, and find nothing inside but bathrooms and canteen machines.
But is there still a value to paper maps that our electronic devices haven’t yet been able to duplicate?
It’s on the “blue highways” that you’re likely to encounter the things you didn’t plan on.
Hearing voices
According to the July 22, 2012, Associated Press article, a drop in map printing began around 2003, when affordable GPS units became popular Christmas presents. Public demand started to go down; and today, with transportation departments around the country facing limited budgets, paper maps are often the first things on the chopping block. Some states have opted to print new maps every two years rather than every year, others have decided to publish them every five years and some have done away with them altogether.
I understand this thinking. Tough decisions have to be made in these economic times. It makes sense to cut the services that are thought will be least missed.
But that GPS Lady who verbally gives you directions is only concerned about getting you from here to there in the quickest, most efficient way possible. She cares nothing for the “blue highways,” as writer William Least Heat-Moon calls them—the small, forgotten, out-of-the-way roads (which were drawn in blue on the old-time Rand McNally road atlas) where you’re likely to encounter the things you didn’t plan on: a remote nature reserve, an encounter with a bear or even a great diner that serves an exceptional piece of pie.
GPS Lady doesn’t understand when you don’t follow her instructions and reprimands you with a stern word of “recalculating” when you venture off her chosen route.
GPS Lady may not understand when—and why—you veer.
Keeping a paper record
I’m not against technology. I think those who go into the wilderness unprepared cost the rest of us a lot of money. But by never taking a wrong turn or never feeling that heart-pounding thump when you believe for a moment that you’re totally lost in a strange land takes away from how we’ll experience adventure in the future. Adventure will no longer be in the journey but solely in the destination.
Besides, keeping marked-up maps of where you’ve been creates a permanent record of your wanderings. There are places in the world that just call for paper maps, where you can take a yellow highlighter and trace your rambles—the highlands of Scotland, national parks or state forests come to mind. Twenty or even 10 years from now, long after your current GPS unit and smartphone have become extinct, the paper trail of your travels—drawn in neon ink—may be the only tangible chronicle of your past adventures.
Paper maps never lose their power source or fail to work because of unreliable service. And they don’t admonish you when you veer.
Do you think paper maps are becoming obsolete?
Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,
Candy
Good question. Two things to consider:
1) is it road or bush?
2) there are maps, gps and smartphones. GPS and spamrthones are similar but different.
I think both paper and digital are good and it depends of the situation.
Let’s take a road example. Last week, we went from Lévis (Québec) to the Baxter state park (Maine). We tried to access the park by the north-west. Mainly using our GPS that has outdated maps (thanks to garmin for their insane maps update prices). Well, we got lost in gravel and bush roads…with a prius… We had a map but it was only a good free state map. So we had to ask our way. A typical scenario where you get lost with a GPS. On our way out though, the GPS told us to use the paved road on the south-west. That was also what a ranger recommends us to do to avoid flat tires. Paper map win on this one. But…
We are planning a trip to South Africa. We’ve been told to have a gps has road signs are very average there. GPS win on this one.
On the bush, we frequently have my outdoor gps (etrex legend hcx) which can do the job very well as long as I have the map information for the area (otherwise I can use only waypoints). But I frequently have a printed map for my girlfriend. It’s quicker to use as I don’t let my gps open all the times. Lost signal? What’s that? I know that some old gps unit had weak signal reception capabilities (like the olds etrex) but it’s not the case since years. Out of batteries? I always use sanyo enenloop rechargeable batteries and they are pretty much always full before a trip. And because I open my gps only when needed, I got plenty for many days. Breaking it? Yes, it’s possible, but the risk is extremely low. Oh and it’s rainproof (use it when kayaking).
Conclusion? Both (paper and digital) has their plus and cons. It depends of the person, the situation, etc.
Thanks for your thoughts and blog. I post your link in my hiking blog margin as one of my few favorites!
I love my GPS for the numbers…speed of travel, feet of elevation changes, and so on. But my paper maps (including my grandfather’s collection dating all the way back to the very early 1900s) are tangible, and historical. Tech-wise, I print a smaller area map with my trail marked to carry hiking, but only after I do all the research and get oriented with a full sized map. On Grampa’s maps I can find old mines, unmaintained historical bridges, where rivers used to run, and where train tracks used to be. I plan to keep printed maps forever, especially now that we can print on waterproof, tear resistant paper in full color at home. I still purchase the beautifully created large maps of forests.
they’re not reliant on a GPS capable device
they’re not reliant on batteries
they’re not reliant on functioning GPS satellites, or GPS coverage in out of the way places
they’re lighter than a big enough device to show the surrounding area
they’re still easy to read in bright sunlight
Are books dead? Nope, cos you don’t need a battery, clear sky and 24 satellites before you can read them. Ditto for maps.
My nephew is currently in a jungle with no maps and no gps signals- making a map on paper as he goes because that is so much easier than felling the entire forest to get a decent gps signal 🙂
Besides, one good computer virus in the US and the gps system could literally come crashing down 🙂
I hope not, I don’t own a GPS
No. And neither are paper guidebooks. And I hope they never will be.
I use both GPS and Paper Maps. Paper is great for studying and planning your initial trip, and then following through on the unexpected trips.
I don’t really think maps are obsolete. I’m pretty high tech now but when I head to the wilderness I always have a paper map and compass – you never know what will happen out there and you best be prepared. I have nothing writing with GPS, etc. but they don’t put paper out of business.
First think of the millions of people in the world who can’t afford the monthly cost of a smart phone and therefore have absolutely no use for “apps” of any kind.
I agree with the other comments that opening up a paper map to get the whole picture of where you’re going in relationship to where you’re at is still the best.
I’m still a big fan of paper maps. In fact, I don’t use my smartphone when I travel abroad at all, so if I’m going to look at a map, it has to be a paper one.
I personally tend to be a late adopter when it comes to technology anyway, but I much prefer to hold a paper map in my hands, look at the “big picture,” mark the places I want to go, etc., and I just don’t think I’d feel the magic of possibility if I had to completely rely on a digital experience.
Really nice article. I share all the same feelings about maps, although a GPS would be very helpful navigating inside some European cities I just visited.
i never use gps, only maps. I’m a map person, it’s like a puzzle, there to figure out.
Not at all! Digital maps can be useful and easy to use, and they can help searching for places and locations…but paper maps are always there for you! And you can make notes and comments on them, easing your life and that of those with or after you!
We are working in Utah in forest canopy and the Trimbles and shapefiles have failed us twice. Our 7.5 quads have been indispensable in finding our sites when machines fail.
My father used to say he and my mother had some of their best experiences when they took a wrong turn, and I agree. I love my GPS but have learned the hard way that it is fallible. In a strange place I always supplement my GPS with a map. On one trip the GPS kept telling us to turn left– into a lovely lake. Since we don’t own a duck boat we ignored the insistent female voice.
Technology is great but human brains are still better.
Both are essential tools, especially for field work. I would not think of giving up paper topo, trail or highway maps, which provide the big picture. Whether doing field work or out for recreational rambles in the wilds, I rely heavily on paper map and compass. GPS units and electronic maps are great tools, can offer many layers of up to date information, and can give you a precise location (unless you run into a host of interference problems, low batteries, etc.) But it’s like looking through a keyhole and such a pain to pan and zoom in/out. A paper map can give you the entire landscape at a glance. When I’ve worked with young people who only know GPS/GIS, they seem to have a profound lack of understanding of topography and get themselves into trouble following the GPS blindly in the field–I still think basic map and compass skills are an essential skill. I hope the USGS paper maps never go away, although for many areas the most current topo maps are MANY decades old.
I love paper maps and blue highways!
I love paper maps!
Some old maps are beautiful pieces of art. However, for every day work i don’t don’t find a need for a drawer full of quad maps. When I started working about 25 years ago, the first thing we did with a new project was head to the survey supply store and pick up a set of quads for the project. Sometimes we would tape them together as the project invariably would land at the corner and we would have 4 quads, many times with different contour intervals. Today I use ArcView and Google Earth to make site specific maps that I take to the field. I also down load base maps into my hand held GPS, smart phone, or other electronic Gizmo that I may have. You either lose the GPS connection or run low on batteries at the most inopportune time, so paper back up is always a safe bet.
I can speak for my company. We distribute trail maps and others. We just recently saw a surge of sales when I added the maps to our Amazon account. I suppose it depends on the reason for needing a map. I personally like to see where I am going. My GPS can do that, but not always.
There are many blackout areas still, just as with phone service, that GPS can’t touch. Also paper maps often include cliff-notes on the area and enable you to make your own marks or notes.
I have to say, from professional experience and from personal preference, paper maps are still alive.
I loved this article! We ponder this all the time and HOPE that paper maps will always be around. I liked many of the comments under the article. Sometimes you really NEED a paper map, especially “out in the boonies”. And sometimes you just want to have it to find, as you have said, those out of the way places. Thanks for another great article, Candice!
A paper map is absolutely necessary in the backcountry; it isn’t damaged by dropping it on a rock, and it never loses signal.
GPS units also don’t work well even under a forest canopy, where we often find ourselves when we need them most.
As with all discussions that involve replacing paper with electronics one issue is always ignored – that of the poor and under privileged – by replacing paper with electronics we are saying that millions of people around the world have no right to read, learn, explore, dream – that because of their situation they should be denied all access to information of any type. And don’t talk about how cheap this technology has become – millions have no clean water, sewerage systems, cloths, food, electricity, etc.., do you really think they care about gps and smart phones. Just because we are lucky enough to live where this technology is readily available and cheap, let us not forget that there are millions that are not so lucky.
Not if we have any sense.
what happens when the batteries run out ? when the canopy is too closed ? A basic safety consideration in boating is too always have a copy of the charts.
I agree with Rob. On longer trips, it’s a good idea to have one so you can get an idea of what’s further down the road. Plus, I’ve used paper maps when my smartphone GPS failed me.
Nope, if you are in a place where you can not pick up a gps satellite signal then you need the paper map. Same with your cell phone if you were to drive from Alaska to Montana all phone services are not working. I drove this route 2 times and could not pick up either. In this case I used my trusty paper map. They are most trust worthy.
When people ask me which GPS system I use, I tell them that I don’t use GPS but another method of much longer standing, called MAP.
I disagree with you there, H.S. I love paper and maps are some of the most beautiful things ever made. They contain history and interest of a different sort than a GPS. I will admit that GPS is nice in certain circumstances, like trying to find the post office in a new town, but not nearly as nice as finding one’s own way to the picnic spot on the mountain top that’s on the map. Cheers.
No.
Although I hire Sat Nav when travelling overseas usually I also have a map because the navigation systems are not as always accurate as one thinks.
Also on maps you sometimes get clues to more interesting places to see.
I’m a big user of maps, and in fact collect them too! Just returned from a three week trip to France where I used big Micheline Maps for trips through the Loire Valley and out to the coast of Grand Bretagne (Brittany). One of the advantages of a paper map, is you can take a highligther and mark your route, and make notes directly on it. Try doing that with a GPS screen!
I typically fold travel maps into a 12 x 12 inch square for easy usage and viewing while driving. My Dad was a collector too, acquiring maps in the 50’s when many of the oil companies issued them for free to customers. Many have become collectables.
And of course, unlike a GPS… paper maps don’t need batteries!
Cheers,
Frederic in Montréal
https://www.RemarkableImages.ca
Maps on Paper! Paper maps are not obsolete yet. They may be one day. Now the usability of online maps is for the large part quite poor. Fine to zoom in to a cluster of streets, but when the perspective of relative place or position is needed, scrolling or moving from one area to another does not work well. Getting lost on a digital map is easily done long before you get lost in the real world.
What will change this is far more controllable zooming and scrolling and the greater use of a “reference” map insert or sidebar. What that means is having a graphic map representation of the whole area/region/city/country you are looking at visible, while the detailed inspection is done in a window or frame on the website, phone or pad/tablet you are viewing through. You thus gain “relativity” of large and small scale views.
For now, travel without a paper map is highly uninformative. It has limits on experience, postioning and again “relativity” of things. If robotic satnav movement from one place to another is all that is wished for, easy and map-less it can be. But the level of nourishment, enrichment and learning from that travel will be minimal and experience-less. Also for casual exploration of towns and cities, maps on paper really help glimpse that palace, building, square or “that’s the road the cafe where they used to disuss political intrigue of the day” moments.
As tablets become lighter and thinner, and if then for the occasional “grand view” of a large area, All At Once (without scrolling), you could project the map on the wall of a cafe you might be sitting in – well perhaps it’d be bye-bye paper!
[Note: The mention of cafes is unavoidable…as to travel without the punctuation of stops in cafes or local equivalents is unthinkable! ]
Happy Travels…Roger, SuperbWorld and Thankly.com
Printed maps will never go away, although there may be fewer sold. Having just been on a trip, I can say a printed road map does things that smartphone GPS can’t — and vice versa. You can see the big picture faster on a road map, how things relate. You can get finer detail on a smartphone.
Paper maps are obsolete and a waste of money. GPS systems give you INSTANT information about travel conditions, detours, traffic jams etc. I admit to my bias. I loath anything on paper. Give me pixels not paper. Why spend money and valuable resources on something that is obsolete BEFORE you have printed it?
If you want to wander of the beaten path and not be chastised by your GPS, turn off the sound until you need to get where you are going. I’m interested in being where I’m going. Getting there is a royal pain. Beam me up Scottie.
There’s no serendipity with GPS. Only miles and miles of concrete and blown-out tires and toll booths. I’d never given this subject a single thought, and now you’ve given me something new to worry about when I venture out of my snug burrow.
Let me know how those smartphones & GPS units work in the Boundary Waters after you’ve swamped a canoe due to spring whitecaps. I’ll take maps anyday. Still don’t have a GPS nor a smartphone. I have an inate sense of direction. Whenever my Honor Guard team travels TDY across the state they just ask me where to go because after being some place even just once, I usually remember it.
Nor do they run out of power on the long hike!
Absolutely not. A 7.5′ topo and a compass is still needed. The number of times I’ve been out and run into people that couldn’t get a signal or battery ran dead is ridiculous. Or I see hiking partners trying to use direct routes (that is following their GPS units) instead of looking at the lay of the land and following the best route.
Even just driving around I’ll take a gazetteer any day of the week over a GPS unit. There are roads not covered on many GPS units but are in a gazatteer.
Yes, they’re probably becoming obsolete, but many of us still prefer them. I suppose it has more to do with what you grew up using, but I still get a better ‘feels like’ sense of how to route a trip using paper maps. I like to get a big-picture feel from a big map on a big piece of paper rather than GPS on a small screen.
Are you serious? Ya gotta have paper maps if you are on the road. Only way to gain spacial perspective. Many times while “out there”, from Maine to Alaska to the Florida Keys to the deserts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah, we would have been lost without a paper map for reference, as our GPS led us wrong. We learned early on that if you are gonna take a 35,000 mile road trip, or just a weekend jaunt of 800 miles, you darn well better have the paper map with you.
Sadly, I think that I function better when I have street-to-street navigation than when I’m using a paper map. And I don’t need a copilot!
Are Paper Maps Obsolete? – No.
In fact, many people still print out copies of digital maps they fine online. After all, your nifty hardware’s battery may die. Thus, only where people “get” their “paper” maps have changed. They simply download them and print rather than buying actual paper copies.
I see two problems with losing paper maps.
1) GPS units break down and quit working – usually at the most inconvenient time.
2) GPS units don’t show you the entire “layout” of the land you wish to explore, whereas paper maps do. Google maps or similar service does provide that, but Google is not always available in the navigator seat of the vehicle – and it’s hard to see all of the “stuff” piecemeal a screen at a time.
I think paper maps will always be used by many people…including me. I have and use GPS but I like to scribble notes on my paper maps. I also read books on my iPad, but I like the feel of holding a real book in my hands on occasion also.
I simply refuse to get GPS. It takes all the fun out of travel and getting lost – and having been in a car with a friend who has it, I know I would throw the thing out if I had to listen to that voice all day. Travel should allow for instant change of plans, new directions and learning.. for instance, I’ve driven up the Dempster Highway to Invuvik and it would a total horror to have GPS for that grand beautiful trip. And that’s just one of many adventures. I surely hope paper maps can hang in for old foggies like me when traveling.
yep
Try plotting out a summer trip from Massachusetts to Oregon, up the west coast to British Colombia and back across Canada through New York back to Massachusetts. Along the way I want to visit every national forest, park, wildlife management area, national monument, historic western towns, and battle fields. Also need to pinpoint all the camping areas that do not allow RV’s, all the streams and lakes that offer excellent trout fishing and all the waterfalls along the way. Map this out using as few highways as possible and do it all on your smart phone with no paper assist. – Are Paper Maps Obsolete – are you kidding me?
The use of a mobile GPS and downloading of the maps, even the preparation of the trip with google, have an impact on the environment (energy, CO2). So printing a brochure.
Mitigation is possible: FSC-chainpaper, green renewable energy. I think that paper maps will be going on for a while, because GPS is indeed the fastest way from A to B via C.
When I visited the N’tl Parks in the USA, I was very fond of those park maps, with beautiful photography, clear information and handy maps. It’s not an adventure walking with a device in your hand thru nature. A map and a binocular, that’s for me walking in the nature.