Google Maps is getting new features that will make it easier for users to navigate national parks using the app. The new updates, according to the tech giant, are intended to help users find the information they need when visiting a national park, such as discovering things to do and navigating the park.
When you search for a trail, Google Maps will highlight the entire route on the map, rather than just a pin. According to the company, this feature is intended to help people easily identify where a trail ends and begins, as well as what the route looks like. You’ll also be able to see Google Maps community reviews and photos. The app will display useful information from the Maps community, such as the type of trail, its level of difficulty, and whether it is best for running, walking, or biking.
Google Maps also makes it easier to find the most popular spots in a park, such as attractions, campgrounds, visitor centres, and trailheads. If you want to visit a national park, you can search for it and see photo highlights from the Maps community for key attractions. You can tap on the images to get more information, such as videos and reviews.
Google is also introducing a new method for downloading an offline map of a park. Users can download the park’s Google Maps listing for offline use by tapping the “download” button. You can easily navigate without internet or cellular data if you use this option. Google says the download button will appear on park listings later this month.
“These features will be available in all U.S. national parks starting in April, and they will be available in parks around the world in the coming months,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Whether you’re making a list of must-see sights or looking for the best running trail, Google Maps has all the information you need in one place so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.”
Furthermore, the app provides users with more precise directions. Users will begin to see park entrances highlighted on the map later this month, and when you request walking or cycling directions to a specific trail, Maps will direct you directly to the trailhead.
