Source for High-Quality Physical Topo Maps?

[RockAndSage]

Anyone here got any tips on finding high-quality printed maps with smaller scale - something you might use for just a small segment of a mountain range, or a smaller segment of a hunt zone, that has really good detail?

 

[Marbles]

Have them custom printed. Topozone does this, if you have the maps digitally, your local printer can likely make some for you.

 

[sconnieVLP]

You make custom 7.5 minute topo maps from USGS then get them professionally printed on some weather-resistant paper. Or you can go the cheap route and throw regular paper in a waterproof map case that you can mark up.

 

[RockAndSage]

These are great tips, thanks guys.

 

[ElkNut1]

Here's what I have done & still do. I'm pretty frugal! (grin) You want 1-24000 USGS UTM Grid 7.5 minute Topo Maps, these are what Surveyors use for ground navigation. I buy mine from the town closest to the Hardware stores where I'm planning my hunt. Most run 8-10 each, generally takes 4 maps to cover my entire area & then some.

I then take 2"-3" clear packing tape & tape both sides, it's a piece a cake at 3-5 minutes for both sides. They are now waterproof & fold & unfold nicely & are very resilient to any weather. I have some that are 15 years old & still perform perfectly with not much money spent!

ElkNut

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Caltopo.com and a sheaf of rite in the rain paper. Haven't bought a physical quad in a decade.

Edited for detail: it has FS topos and quads + aerial imagery, and then you can print your own custom maps from it. Super useful.

 

[awbowhunter]

Mytopo.com

They can do some pretty large format and detailed prints. Waterproof material or laminated. Used them multiple times now.

 

[ODB]

Here's what I have done & still do. I'm pretty frugal! (grin) You want 1-24000 USGS UTM Grid 7.5 minute Topo Maps, these are what Surveyors use for ground navigation. I buy mine from the town closest to the Hardware stores where I'm planning my hunt. Most run 8-10 each, generally takes 4 maps to cover my entire area & then some.

I then take 2"-3" clear packing tape & tape both sides, it's a piece a cake at 3-5 minutes for both sides. They are now waterproof & fold & unfold nicely & are very resilient to any weather. I have some that are 15 years old & still perform perfectly with not much money spent!

ElkNut

Do the same tape trick. Very easy, durable, and cheap.

 

[Dust Rider]

A local engineering, architectural, surveyor supply store can print and laminate them. Or they might have them on hand ready to purchase. For example, western Montana has Selby’s.

 

[BLJ]

Tag. Interested.

 

[Southeast]

I have a drawer full of custom maps from Mytopo.com. Have used them since about 2007.

Durable, waterproof paper - rolled or folded. Your name comes printed right on them so people that "permanently borrow" them can always feel a little guilty when they open them up. Yes, I'm a little bitter about that happening over and over!