
US Topo is the current topographic map series. Today, USGS topographic quadrangle maps are divided into two product types:ġ. At about the same time, a separate project was started to scan the entire historic library of traditional topographic maps. Named “US Topo,” these maps are modeled on the 7.5-minute series, but are derived from GIS data. In 2009, a new USGS quadrangle topographic map series was defined. The last printed USGS topographic maps were published in 2006. Map revision continued, though in decreasing quantities, through the 1990s. The 7.5-minute series was declared complete in 1992, and at that time was the only uniform map series that covered the United States in considerable detail. Similar maps at varying scales were produced during the same time period for Alaska, Hawaii, and US Territories. From approximately 1947 to 1992, more than 55,000 7.5-minute maps were made to cover the 48 conterminous states. The best known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also known as 7.5-minute quadrangles. In addition to the topo maps, a browse through the Custom Maps directory will bring up lots of other specialty maps and data, like trails, POIs, and even raster maps for a few areas like Joshua Tree National Park.The USGS was entrusted with the responsibility for mapping the country in 1879 and has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States ever since. While the official Garmin 1:24K topo maps have more features, like elevation profiles, routing, and shading in supported units, much more of the US is covered by these free maps than is currently available from Garmin. Part of the reason for this flurry of activity may be that Dan Bloomberg, webmaster for the site and creator of most of the older maps, has released a new tool called Topo Process that simplifies the process of obtaining and processing the data necessary to create these topo maps.

Windows installers available for all, Mac for many.


