The purpose of this project is to create electronic topo maps for the state of Utah for Garmin GPS units with mapping capability. This is an on-going project with additional updates performed as time and resources allow.
The mapset is created from freely available GIS data and has the following data layers:
- Interstates, highways, railroads, county, local and forest roads
- High resolution water data (lakes, rivers and streams)
- Land use, metro areas
- Elevation contours (40ft intervals)
- Points of interest (summits, mines, falls, dams, cemeteries, towers, populated places, etc.)
NEW! Incremental updates are available, the following features are being worked on:
- Better representation of land status data with custom styles
- Defined 4wd trails and POIs
- Custom styles for unpaved roads, 4wd trails
- Update of high resolution water data (streams)
- Update of POIs
- Add detailed data for National Parks
The mapset covers the state of Utah.
Below are a few example screenshots of the maps on a GPS:
Here is a view of a map from within Garmin's MapSource:
The installation of the maps is fairly simple. The maps can be utilized from within Garmin's MapSource software (on PCs), Garmin's Bobcat/MapInstall software (on Macs) or simply uploaded directly to your GPS unit (using freely available utilities).
The accuracy of the data used to create these maps varies greatly. These maps are to be used for reference purposes only. The author(s) are not responsible for any inaccuracies and no responsibility is assumed for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the data presented. Installation and use of these maps is at your own risk!
For use from within Garmin's MapSource (on PCs), download and execute the mapset installer below. This program will install the map files and register the mapset with MapSource. Within MapSource a new mapset product "Utah Topo Maps" will be available in the Product drop down selection list (or from the View | Switch to Product menu option).
For use from within Garmin's Bobcat/MapInstall (on Macs), download and uncompress the converted mapset archive below. Double clicking on the resulting file will initiate MapManager to install the maps for use with Bobcat/MapInstall.
Utah Mapset Archive (for Macs) (143 MB)
The Utah Topo Maps mapset should overlay any other mapset present on your GPS unit. To switch between mapsets (if more than one has been loaded to your GPS) simply hide/show mapsets as described here.
This mapset is free to download and use but if you find these maps useful please consider making a donation to help offset the costs incurred in producing and offering them (software licenses, website hosting, etc.)
There are other ways you can help to support this effort.
The GIS data sets utilized for creating these maps were obtained from the following sources:
Utah State Geographic Information Database (SGID)
The SGID contains files and links to several different categories of data sets. There are two main categories: Vector GIS data dets wherein geographic features are represented by discrete points, lines, and polygons; and, raster data sets, which represent geographic phenomena using a grid of raster cells or pixels.
USGS National Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
The GNIS is the Federal standard for geographic nomenclature. It contains information about physical and cultural geographic features of all types in the United States, associated areas, and Antarctica, current and historical.
USGS National Elevation Dataset (NED)
The NED is a new raster product assembled by the U.S. Geological Survey. NED is designed to provide National elevation data in a seamless form with a consistent datum, elevation unit, and projection.
USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)
The NHD is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data that contains information about surface water features such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, springs and wells. While initially based on 1:100,000-scale data, the NHD is designed to incorporate and encourage the development of higher resolution data required by many users.
Several software applications are used, the main ones being GlobalMapper, which is used for the majority of data manipulation/configuration and cGPSmapper, which is used to compile the data into a Garmin map file.
Last updated: 2 December 2008
Copyright © 2006-2014 David Gadberry