What is CalTopo used for?

CalTopo is a web mapping and route planning tool for backcountry travelers and search-and-rescue teams, with shared maps and terrain layers. It is a good fit for coordinating a search-and-rescue operation, planning a backcountry ski route around slope angle and building shared trip maps with a group.

Yes. CalTopo has a free plan, and paid plans start at $500 per year.

Is CalTopo open source?

No. CalTopo is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to CalTopo include Wanderer.

What are some alternatives to CalTopo?

CalTopo competes with Gaia GPS, onX Maps and AllTrails. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source CalTopo alternatives.

CalTopo: features, pricing and alternatives

About CalTopo

CalTopo is a web mapping tool for planning and sharing backcountry trips, aimed at individuals and at teams such as search-and-rescue groups. Users can research a route, add layers, record tracks, print maps and take them along on a mobile device. It is designed for backcountry terrain and also works for everyday maps closer to home.

The service stands out for its layers and collaboration. Available layers include slope angle shading, snow depth from SNOTEL stations, satellite imagery, water gauge data for streams and reservoirs, elevation-specific weather forecasts and public land boundaries. Multiple people can edit the same map at the same time with real-time updates, and location sharing, GPS device connections and offline map downloads are supported. CalTopo is a hosted commercial service with individual and group pricing.

Key features

Collaborative map editing in real time
Slope angle shading and snow depth layers
Daily and weekly satellite imagery
Public land boundary layer
Offline maps and field edits that sync
Location sharing and GPS device connections

Good fit for

→Coordinating a search-and-rescue operation
→Planning a backcountry ski route around slope angle
→Building shared trip maps with a group

Tags: mapping; backcountry; gis; search-and-rescue; route-planning; collaboration; topographic

CalTopo: questions and answers

What is CalTopo used for?: CalTopo is a web mapping and route planning tool for backcountry travelers and search-and-rescue teams, with shared maps and terrain layers. It is a good fit for coordinating a search-and-rescue operation, planning a backcountry ski route around slope angle and building shared trip maps with a group.
Is CalTopo free?: Yes. CalTopo has a free plan, and paid plans start at $500 per year.
Is CalTopo open source?: No. CalTopo is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to CalTopo include Wanderer.
What are some alternatives to CalTopo?: CalTopo competes with Gaia GPS, onX Maps and AllTrails. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source CalTopo alternatives.