US Public Lands

3.70

Information

Category:

Travel & Local

Price:

$ 3.99

Rank:

8

Rating:

3.70

Overview

US Public Lands is an essential navigation tool for outdoor enthusiasts, offering detailed offline maps of federally owned properties across the United States. With nearly 30 percent of US land under federal ownership, this app provides users with instant access to boundaries and information about lands managed by key agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Forest Service (FS), and National Park Service (NPS).

The app's core functionality lies in its customizable map layers, which allow users to identify public land types and their managing agencies. Whether you're planning a hiking trip or researching land use regulations, the app provides direct links to agency websites for further details on permits, fees, and activity restrictions. Its offline capabilities make it especially valuable for travelers exploring remote areas without internet connectivity.

This app proves particularly useful for campers and boondockers who need to scout dispersed camping locations within public lands. By combining satellite imagery with boundary data, users can better assess trails and roads while ensuring compliance with local rules. The built-in GPS feature also helps users confirm their current location relative to public land boundaries, making it a reliable companion for responsible exploration.

Features

One of the standout features of US Public Lands is its comprehensive collection of map layers stored directly on your device, enabling full offline functionality. These layers cover major federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Bureau of Reclamation, and Department of Defense, each color-coded for easy identification. Users can toggle these layers individually to create personalized maps tailored to their specific needs.

In addition to offline mapping, the app integrates advanced tools like a 'Locate Me' function that uses GPS to pinpoint your exact position relative to nearby public lands. For those with internet access, supplementary options include standard and satellite views, enhancing the ability to explore terrain details. A built-in search tool further simplifies navigation by locating cities, zip codes, addresses, and points of interest, dropping pins for quick reference.

Another innovative aspect is the app’s utility as a boondocking assistant. While not a dedicated campsite locator, it allows users to overlay satellite imagery with public land boundaries, helping them identify potential dispersed camping spots. This combination of detailed mapping, offline usability, and real-time location tracking ensures that adventurers have all the resources they need at their fingertips.

Booking authenticity

In the context of travel and local applications like US Public Lands the authenticity of booking information is paramount to ensure users can trust the data they are accessing for their trips and explorations. The US Public Lands app provides a reliable source of information regarding federal lands across the United States without requiring an internet connection which enhances its authenticity as a dependable tool for travelers. This application compiles data from the Protected Area Database PAD-US of the U.S. Geological Survey ensuring that the information presented is sourced from authoritative public domain raw map data. Although the app itself does not handle bookings in the traditional sense it offers a trustworthy aggregation of federal land data allowing users to plan their visits with confidence. Users can be assured that the boundaries and details of public lands including those managed by agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management US Forest Service and National Park Service among others are accurately represented. While the database is continually evolving and some locations might have varying degrees of accuracy the app commits to updating its maps to align with improvements in the dataset. Therefore when using US Public Lands app users can expect a high level of booking authenticity in terms of accessing verified and credible information about public lands which is crucial for making informed decisions about their travel plans.

Price transparency

Price transparency within the realm of travel and local apps particularly one like US Public Lands pertains to how openly and clearly costs associated with accessing or utilizing services on public lands are communicated to the user. In this case the US Public Lands app operates on a different model than commercial travel services since it provides its mapping and informational features entirely offline and free of charge. There are no hidden fees or subscription models involved which greatly enhances price transparency for the end-user. The layers containing detailed information about various federal agencies and the lands they manage are stored directly on the device after installation meaning users won't encounter unexpected charges related to data usage or access fees while using the app's core functionalities. Additionally because it includes links to each agency's website users can further investigate any potential costs such as permits or fees associated with specific activities on these lands. By offering a comprehensive solution that requires no financial transactions within the app itself US Public Lands ensures that users are fully aware of any possible expenses they might incur thereby promoting complete price transparency. This approach allows users to budget effectively for their trips knowing upfront what costs if any they will face when visiting these public lands.

Props

User-friendly interface

Offline map support

Customizable layers

Accurate GPS tracking

Comprehensive agency coverage

Cons

No private land details

Limited resolution in some areas

Occasional outdated boundaries

Not a campsite database

Requires manual updates

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