The Resourceful Traveler: Adventure Apps to Get You Anywhere (And Back Home Again)

From must-have recovery gear and first aid supplies to Tread Lightly practices and navigation tools, resourcefulness takes on many forms when it’s time to hit the road. In this edition of The Resourceful Traveler, we unpack some favorite adventure apps that are sure to help you get where you’re going and find what you need. 

Growing up, my family always took long, multi-day driving excursions up and down the east coast. My father was tasked with driving our maroon 1989 Chevy conversion van, and my mother took the passenger-side captain’s chair as the navigator. By the end of each driving day, my father’s back was stiff, his eyes were heavy, and his temper was short. But only in adulthood did I realize that he had the easy job.

While he drove, my mother spent the entire day unfolding and squinting at many a Rand McNally map, making and confirming reservations, and finding attractions that would interest her two moody, hormonal teenagers.

I’d gladly take 20 hours of driving over that.

But these days, trip planning and piloting is much easier and efficient thanks to our smartphones. Gone are the days of having a backseat pocket filled with crumpled maps and stopping at rest areas to grab all the local literature you can carry. There’s an app for that.

But just as a lack of information could kill a vacation from 30 years ago, having too much unfiltered information today can do just the same. So, let’s unpack a few of the best adventure apps we find ourselves using all the time here at The Engine Block.

Gaia GPS

What Google Maps is for drivers, Gaia GPS is for hikers. Raise your hand if you’re one of those people who takes a picture of the map at your trailhead for reference, but then can’t decipher or zoom in on it enough when you’re actually hiking.

Well, stop it and download Gaia.

Gaia GPS has the most detailed and comprehensive maps on any app to date. And, with the inclusion of the full line of National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps, you can confidently hike knowing you have the best info at your fingertips.

Another useful feature is the adventure app’s access to exclusive specialty maps. For example, in order to truly benefit from the apps on this list, you’ll need reliable cell coverage. Gaia’s Coverage Maps will be a lifesaver when trying to determine what you’ll need to download for out-of-service use. Likewise, the Apple CarPlay Maps can get you right to the start of your trail – not just the general vicinity.

To unlock the most from Gaia GPS, consider opting for a basic or premium membership ($17 and $36 per year respectively). If you’re not ready to fork out for a subscription just yet, rest assured the free version still acts as a great planning tool for discovering hikes, organizing trips, and navigating confidently.

So, if you’re considering getting an expensive GPS unit, put those funds on hold for now and give Gaia GPS a whirl.

iOverlander

iOverlander is an app for overlanders, by overlanders. It’s essentially a super tool for those explorers looking for locations a bit more off the beaten path. Find just about anything that can be labeled a campsite – whether established or casual – by simply using the many filters to narrow in on what kind of camping you’re looking to do and what amenities you think you’ll need. Additionally, the app can help you easily locate the closest water/propane tank fill locations, gas stations, border checkpoints, and more to take all the guesswork out of your trip.

The real shining feature of iOverlander though, are the user contributions. Browse photos, honest reviews, and ratings from other campers to help make your decision. After all, sometimes it helps to have a veteran recommendation when seeking that road-less-traveled.

Unlike some of the other adventure apps on this list, iOverlander is 100% free – and the founders intend to keep it that way. While donations are accepted, the real way to support this app is by contributing your own information, so others can benefit from the vast community behind it.

iNaturalist

If you’ve made your way to this article, we’re guessing that your interest in wildlife and the outdoors registers above a zero. Whether you’re someone who can easily tell your Honey Locust from your Black Locust, or someone who thinks every snake they see is poisonous, we’ve all encountered a part of nature we don’t recognize. While it may not make you the next Charles Darwin or Jane Goodall, the iNaturalist app will certainly help you with identifying any mystery plants or critters you meet on the trail.

iNaturalist formed as a joint initiative between the California Academy of Sciences and The National Geographic Society to help everyone – from the seasoned zoologist to the biologically-inept traveler help put a name on what they see. Just set up an account, and next time you see something you don’t recognize, snap a picture and submit. Once entered, iNaturalist will offer suggestions of what it may be.

With nearly 3.7 million users, 60 million submissions, and 325,000+ unique species cataloged, iNaturalist and their members have most likely seen and identified what you’re looking at 100 times over. If the app’s suggestions still leave you wondering, you can always share your photo with other contributors – including a vast pool of experts – to further verify your observation.

Your personal account will store your photos and locations, so you can look back and review when and where you saw something. Plus, you can browse what other ‘Citizen Scientists’ are seeing in your area, and even start or contribute to projects that will help scientists across the globe find and use information gathered from your own adventures.

Recreation.Gov

If you’re aiming to add more stamps to your National Park Passport, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better resource than the Recreation.gov app. It’s the official booking platform for US National Parks.

Enter the dates of your trip, and see how easy it is to reserve your perfect campsite. You can browse real-time availability of sites all across the country, and compare locations, rates, and amenities to narrow in on the ideal spot to set up shop when the sun sets. And those spur-of-the-moment trips? Simply stake your site just by scanning the QR code found at open campgrounds right from the app. Since the app keeps record of when and where you visited, there’s no need to rack your brain trying to remember the details of that nice campground you stayed at three years ago.

Plus, you can pull your whole itinerary together by finding and purchasing tickets to all the best experiences nearby. Whether it’s a guided walkthrough, historic landmark tour, or adventurous cave excursion, Recreation.gov allows to you view and book activities right from your phone.

Eliminate the wait in line by storing your payment info right on the app, so there’s no need to grab cash or write checks to drop in fee boxes. And the convenient Scan & Pay option allows you to square up once you’re back to civilization if cell signal is an issue.

The Dyrt/Dyrt Pro

For an even more comprehensive dive into possible accommodations, we suggest giving The Dyrt platform a try. Helpful lodging finder functions scan over 44,000 (and growing) campsites, including cabins, tent sites, RV-capable spots – even yurts, while the easy-to-use app gives a complete profile for each site, including availability, facility layout, pictures, and contact information for reservation. Direct booking straight from the app is becoming available for more locations every day. And, since it’s a third-party application, we’re confident you’ll find the most honest and authentic user reviews.

While it may not be the best investment for once-a-year excursionists, upgrading to The Dyrt Pro might pay dividends to frequent travelers. For $35.99 a year, The Dyrt Pro offers a few nice perks that you won’t find on the free version. First, you’ll save up to 40% at hundreds of select campgrounds across the US – including Alaska and Hawaii. You’ll also unlock RV and Camper-van discounts, if that’s your thing. To round out the discount benefits, you’ll also receive some nice savings on select gear and food from a growing number of vendors.

A Dyrt Pro subscription will also make your planning easier with access to a premium Trip Planner tool, which allows you to nail down your route and stops based on location, driving distance, and vehicle type. An additional nice feature that all of us at one time or another has wished for, The Dyrt Pro also offers map and itinerary downloads, so you’ll be prepared if your trip takes you deep into the cell coverage abyss.

What adventure apps do you use? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to stick around with us in the coming weeks, as we’ll be exploring even more solutions for navigating your next excursion or overland adventure!