Digital companion maps are now available for all printed Voyageur maps. The digital companion maps combine the rich content of our printed maps with a digital version that allows for precise GPS navigation, recording your route, marking way points, and even sharing screenshots of your journey when you get home.
The digital companion maps can be used from phones running on Apple iOS or Google Android, and are great for off grid travel because they do not require Internet access to use: after initial download each map can be used without Internet access.
Visit the Apple or Android App stores on your phone or tablet to download the Avenza Maps app, and then use the following link to download digital companion maps for your trip. You can download the maps directly into the Avenza Maps app using the store function. Search for “Voyageur Maps” in the Avenza Maps app.
Each Voyageur digital companion map is designed to be used with its corresponding printed map and contain key features you want on the small format of a handheld electronic device to work with the comprehensive information on our printed maps.
Voyageur printed maps are data-rich, with exclusive portage difficulty ratings, campsite numbers, forest fire areas, primitive management areas, human history, natural history, etc. The printed maps will allow you to plan a great trip and moving through the wilderness. The digital companion maps provide GPS tracking right from your phone or tablet for precise positioning (no cell connection needed), allow recording tracks of your exact route, allow you to drop way points, plot photos, and more. The combination of printed and digital provides a “two screen” setup that will change the way you travel in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Each digital companion map shows Boundary Waters lakes and rivers, entry points, campsite locations, portage locations, and more. The free companion maps do not include fisheries information, portage distance or difficulty, campsite numbers, lake depths, or human and natural history. We strongly encourage users of our digital maps to also buy our printed products because the two formats work so great together, and also because our printed maps provide the revenue to make these digital maps available for your use.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Can I view the companion maps on my desktop or notebook computer?
A: No. The Avenza Maps app only works on phones and tablets.
Q: Is it okay to use the digital companion maps without a printed map?
A: Never rely only on digital navigation tools. Phones break and they don’t float, plus batteries die. Always have at least one set of waterproof printed maps along, and it is best practice to have one for each canoe.
Q: How do the maps and GPS work without cell towers?
A: The digital companion maps get downloaded to your phone or tablet when you have Internet service, such as at home. The stored file is used on your trip and doesn’t need to be refreshed. GPS functionality uses satellite signals, so if you have a reasonably clear signal of the sky you will be able to view your location on the digital companion maps and also precisely track your location. Depending upon your phone model, in rare circumstances you may have limited GPS coverage on portages, but our experience is that is not common.
Q: I noticed that these companion maps are free. Really?
A: Right! There is no charge to use the Voyageur digital companion maps. Our goal is to provide BWCA visitors the best possible navigation tools. We have decided to offer these digital maps for free to support our great customers. Please keep using our printed maps so we can continue to offer these digital maps at no cost.
Q: Can I use the Voyageur digital companion maps with printed maps from other companies?
A: Yes, but you’ll find the “dual screen” functionality of the larger printed, waterproof maps combined with the dynamic small screen to be unbeatable. Try it.
The strength of our printed maps are that the entire BWCA is covered w/ just 10 maps, you get a great planning map on the back, we provide natural and human history, fish survey information, forest fire areas, ranked portages, and more. Now with the digital companion maps you can add in precise location in real time along with tracking of your route, and much more in the Avenza Maps app. The two work together so well. We hope you love it.
Q: Are you going to update the digital companion maps?
A: Yes. The digital nature of the companion maps makes it possible to update them more frequently than printed maps. We will be updating the digital files over time as relevant changes happen, such as closed or new campsites, rerouted portages, etc.