Those coordinates are used by your Garmin GPS to overlay the images when you look at it on the unit. In the case of these custom maps, it’s a series of JPEG image files that have a latitude and longitude associated with each corner. So what is a KML file? It’s a collection of map presentation elements. What is a KMZ file?Ī KMZ file is a compressed KML file in a format specified by Google Earth. The KMZ file is the format that a Garmin GPS unit reads as a custom map. You’ll be transferring this to your Garmin. Once you have the map you want, go to Print > Download KMZ Choose the scale and bounds of the map to save.Īfter that, note where the KMZ file is saved. Base layer of MapBuilder Topo and overlay (40-50% opacity) of Forest Service 2016.Base layer of MapBuilder Topo (with lots of trails) and overlay (40-50% opacity) of scanned topographic maps.There are hundreds of permutations of maps you can create in CalTopo. You can choose from many map layers and also overlay maps on top of other maps. You can explore the tools and layers of CalTopo on their tutorial page. CalTopo has a powerful set of mapping tools that you can use for free. Garmin Custom Maps Videoįirst off, visit the free CalTopo website and find the area that you’d like to create a map for. If you want to do it for free, you can follow Garmin’s instructions here. Additionally, CalTopo is a powerful tool that probably has many other potential uses for you.

If you need custom maps, I consider it worth the subscription cost. Update: You now need a CalTopo Pro account to create custom maps this way. In this guide I’ll show you how to create the maps, download them to your Garmin, and view them in Google Earth to visualize the topography.

Today, using CalTopo, creating custom maps is dead easy. Custom maps have been available for Garmin GPS units for quite some time, but the process was clunky and tech-heavy. It means that you don’t necessarily need to buy a Garmin GPS with maps included, and it also means that you can create highly customized maps based on your use scenario. When you use the CalTopo website, these custom maps can be almost anything that you can imagine. If you have a Garmin GPS unit, you can create and download custom maps onto your unit. Using Basecamp to Plan With Custom Maps.Downloading a Custom Map to Your Garmin GPS.Creating a Custom Map To Fit Your Needs.

How to Create and Download Garmin Custom Maps In This Guide

How to download garmin gps maps free