Local Overlanding: Is there a GPS App or website to locate dirt and minimal use roads?

[fredygump]

As the title states, are there any tools you use to find scenic or minimal use roads?

I live in Southern Minnesota. We don't have any proper offroading trails for full size vehicles. There are some ATV/ UTV trails, but they are mostly far away up north.

But we do have gravel roads. I've already found some interesting roads that I didn't know existed, but the trick is connecting the dots, linking gravel or dirt roads into a little adventure.

Is there a map or GPS app that can help with this?

I've always enjoyed finding technical driving roads out in the country, but I avoided unpaved roads since I was always driving a car, like my GTI. But now that I have the Tacoma, I'm interested in seeing how close I can get to an offroad adventure, but on local/ regional roads.

Sponsored

 

[tgrneal]

OnX Offroad
Gaia
Trails Offroad

 

[Lars]

OnX:: I think there is a new Toyota 2026 year trial from OnX. States only which sucks.

 

[Sagebrush]

I use both Gaia and OnX. Each has its own place.

 

[Dirt]

OnX user here, but be careful. Like all the mapping devices, it can take you down a trail you can't climb out of.

 

[cyranodabum]

I paid for OnX Offroad to be able to create routes, stitch together multiple segments, etc. Does anyone know if I can share those maps/routes to my trailmates who don't have a subscription? I see that there's a free tier, which I assume kicks in if someone signs up for the trial and then doesn't renew.

 

[astroboy]

I am now on my second year of using the paid version of OnX. I did some research before I bought the subscription, so far, I feel like it was a good call. I use it a lot when I go off roading.

 

[fredygump]

Do these programs just show a map with your GPS location on top? Or do they also highlight the road/ route you select?

Which program would be best for route planning, to easily identify roads by pavement type, like paved, gravel, or dirt/ minimum maintenance?

I want to identify the most rustic roads, be able to create a set route using these roads, and then the app needs to show me where I am on that route, without recalculating and changing the route if it thinks I am off the route.

Having a map on the screen is part of the solution, but I also need it to display my route. The type of route I'm thinking of will be complicated. It might include 50+ roads as I avoid paved roads and small towns.

Which program is better/ easier for creating a fixed route?

 

[cyranodabum]

Here's how it'd look in OnX. I can start with a map of the area I'd want to explore. I clicked on the Holcomb trail, and pulls up the details. I like that it also shows where the nearby dispersed camping is, which are the yellow highlights (at least around my area, the data seems pretty good).

But then I can also set up my own custom route in advance, so I can stitch together whatever roads/trails I want.

The day of my drive, I'll load up OnX in Apple CarPlay, and it'll all show on my dash screen. I don't have a picture of that, but look at @Sagebrush 's post above for an example, and imagine your GPS marker arrow right on top of the red route. I get voice routing directions, just like you would with regular Google Maps or Waze.

It's been great for me, but I'll mention a few minor gripes. Once, my phone overheated and shut off, so I assume the GPS tracking and mapping is somewhat phone-intensive, especially if using the Qi charger. Also, like my question above, I wish there'd be an easy way to share routes with non-OnX subscribers.

 

[Sagebrush]

Or do they also highlight the road/ route you select?

The way I do it, I plan a trip on Gaia on my laptop and set waypoints where I need to turn.

 

[cyranodabum]

I also have AllTrails, mainly for leading Boy Scout hikes, but it can map off-roading routes too. Only thing is, no CarPlay integration afaik, so I don’t think it’s useful during a ride. I did like this feature for being able to “preview” a route though.

Sponsored