Mapping and GIS Data

Accurate maps are essential tools for anyone who walks or works on the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is constantly changing: new land is acquired, shelters are added, access points are closed. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) uses geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies to:

• Store information for the 250,000 acres of public land associated with the A.T.
• Produce maps for publications and presentations
• Analyze the potential impact of towers, highways, and powerlines
• Identify threatened areas to help focus protection efforts
• Map Trail resources, from shelters to wetlands to endangered species
• Conduct Trail assessments and collect data for environmental assessments
• Design future Trail routes, camping sites, and other features
• Calculate acreage for agricultural fields and other managed areas

Appalachian Trail Mapping Resources

• ATC"s Interactive Map - Built with Google’s mapping technology, allows users to explore multiple dimensions of the A.T. to aid in planning a hike.
• Appalachian Trail GIS and GPS Data - Includes the A.T. footpath "centerline" location, other digital geographic layers, and A.T. shelter waypoint data.
• Appalachian Trail USGS 7.5-Minute Quadrangle List - A list of the 250 quad maps covering the A.T.

Topographic Map Information

• U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Maps Includes ordering information.
• DeLorme 1:150,000 scale atlas and gazetteers, available for all states.
• Topographic Map Symbols Guide to USGS topographic map symbols.
• Topographic Map Landforms Guide to USGS topographic map landforms.
• Geographic Names Information System Information about almost 2 million U.S. physical and cultural geographic features, from the USGS.

Interactive topographic maps

Interactive topographic maps let you enter a place name or geographic coordinate and see the location on the appropriate topo map.

• TopoZone
• MapTech MapServer
• Microsoft Terraserver
• Topo! Interactive Maps Create your own custom map on waterproof paper.
• LostOutdoors.com Upload your GPS waypoints to create a map.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• GIS.com Links to free software, data, training, news.
• GIS Data Depot Includes USGS digital topographic maps (Digital Raster Graphs—DRG), Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Census TIGER files, Wireless data.
• Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies The University of Arkansas' guide to U.S. geospatial and attribute data.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

• All About GPS The Trimble corporation's online tutorial on GPS.
• GPS Nuts Practical guidance, tips, equipment and software reviews from GPS users.
• Joe Mehaffey and Jack Yeazel's GPS Information Web site Tips, equipment and software reviews, other GPS information.

State GIS Data

Maine	Maine Office of GIS
New Hampshire	New Hampshire GRANIT
Vermont	Vermont Center for Geographic Information
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Geographic Information System
Connecticut	Connecticut Map And Geographic Information Center
New York	New York State GIS Clearinghouse Cornell University Geospatial Information Repository
New Jersey	New Jersey Spatial Data Clearinghouse GIS at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Spatial Data Analysis
Maryland	Maryland Maps—GIS Resources at the Maryland Office of Planning
West Virginia	West Virginia State GIS Technical Center West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Digital Spatial Data Archive
Virginia	Virginia Geographic Information Network
Tennessee	Tennessee Spatial Data Server Tennessee State GISource
North Carolina	North Carolina Geographic Data Clearinghouse
Georgia	Georgia Spatial Data Infrastructure Statewide GIS Data from Georgia Tech