POST A GPS-ENABLED TRIP

If you want to add GPS data to your trip reports, scout new routes on interactive topo maps, or download existing GPS trips, then use our free map software.

REGISTER
Register on backpacker.com. Follow our three-step registration process, and make sure to download our free map software on the final step. Note: If you already have an online account with Backpacker but didn’t download our map software, then download it here.

OPEN MAP SOFTWARE
Launch software and login with your backpacker.com display name and password (not email). Now, you can create a new trip with points, photos, and videos, import existing .gpx files, or download data from your GPS or GPS-enabled phone.

ADD NEW TRIPS
To start a new trip, go to TRIP > NEW. Select your trip name, summary, state, difficulty, and preferred map. Under the SHARING tab, mark the share box to make this trip public on BACKPACKER.com. You can keep trips private too. Hit OK. Navigate the software to draw tracks, add points, and drop-and-drag photos or video clips onto the map. Add trail notes to points and photos. Build elevation profiles. Hit save. Your trip is now on our site. If you marked the trip public, anyone can view it. Private trips can only be viewed by you online.

IMPORT TRIPS FROM MY GPS
To download a trip from your GPS, connect your unit to your computer. Launch map software. Go to TOOLS>GPS UNIT IMPORT/EXPORT. Follow directions. IMPORT EXISTING GPS FILES Our software allows you to import GPX files, a universal file format now supported by most GPS and map software companies. Tip: Translate your proprietary GPS files into GPX format, using GPSBabel. To import GPX files, go to TRIP>IMPORT. Follow directions.

VIEW MY TRIPS ONLINE
Go to backpacker.com, and log in (using your email and password). On your profile page, you’ll see a list of your trips under the TRIP REPORTS tab.

LOAD YOUR TRIPS ON OUR STATE, CITY, AND REGIONAL PAGES
For example, if your public trip is in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, then show the trip off on our Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park pages under the READER TRIPS tab. To do this, you need to add tags to your trips. Login and view your trip on our site. Under the title of your trip, click on the “EDIT” link. On this edit page, scroll down to the tags area. Add each keyword separately. For example, type in Colorado then hit ADD. Then type in Rocky Mountain National Park, hit ADD. You’ll see a list of tags above the box. Hit SAVE. This trip will now display on our Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park pages under our READER TRIPS tab.

MAC Users: Our map software only works on PCs. We're working on a solution. Until then, post a basic trip.

GPS Help: Consult our Using GPS center for more details.

Questions: Contact our map editor.