Whether you’re a parent or a camper, one thing’s for sure: your next camping trip is going to be amazing! You’ll want to make sure the trip is as relaxing and spontaneous-free as possible, with no unnecessary stress. Which is why you should get as much information about the area in advance so that you can target the camping experience just right. GIS can be your best friend when planning an outdoor adventure. This article will point out how it’s possible to use geographic information systems (GIS) to plan your next camping trip and get more accurate results than any other option available right now.

To help you plan your next outdoor adventure, we’ve put together some tips for how geospatial technology can be used to better plan your next camping trip:

1. Use online maps to find local hiking trails and destinations

Maps can point out places of interest and provide you with insights on what to expect. Studying these maps, allows you to spatially orientate yourself to the surrounding environments, making it possible to navigate your way through different types of terrain.

2. Plan your route beforehand and take notes on what you need to bring

GIS maps include satellite imagery of the area enabling you to see exactly what it looks like without having to drive there first. This can help you plan your route beforehand.

3. Find out which stores sell what you need before you head out

You’ll be able to see how far away any landmarks, water sources or stores are from your campsite, which means that you won’t have to waste time looking for them before setting up camp.

4. Locate your friends

With GIS, you’re able to locate where your friends in case you get separated during a hike.

In the end, it all comes down to one thing: would you plan your next camping trip any differently if you had access to GIS data? If the answer is yes, then consider getting a hold of our ArcGIS products from Esri Online Store. It doesn’t matter how much you don’t know about GIS—all that matters is that you can plan with it in mind. And when it comes to planning for future trips, knowledge of what’s going on around you before and after your trip matters more than ever.