Is Public Lands Map really free, unlike onX?

Yes — the full web map is free, no subscription and no account to browse: public land color-coded by manager, the legal MVUM/GTLF roads, and routing. onX charges a yearly subscription to see the same public-land data. Our only paid feature is offline download, a one-time pass.

What does onX do that this map doesn't?

onX shows detailed private-parcel ownership (with landowner names) and hunting-unit boundaries — we don't offer either. If parcel ownership or hunt units are what you need, onX is genuinely the better tool.

Does this onX alternative work offline?

Yes. Browsing is free online; offline use in the field is a one-time regional pass, never a recurring subscription.

What public land does this map show?

Federal, state, and provincial land color-coded by manager — BLM and Crown (gold, dispersed camping is the rule-of-thumb), national forest (green), national parks (brown, permit/campground only), and state land — across the US, Canada, and Mexico, plus the legal motorized roads.

Is there a free alternative to onX for public-land and dispersed camping?

Yes. onX charges a yearly subscription to see which land is public — data that's already public. Public Lands Map gives that core answer free on the web: public land color-coded by its manager (BLM, USFS, NPS, state, Crown) and the legally-drivable MVUM and GTLF roads, instant in your browser, no account to browse. Offline is a one-time pass, never a subscription. Where onX is genuinely better, we say so below.

Open the free map →

onX puts its public-land overlay and offline maps behind a paid subscription — to see which ground is BLM or national forest, you keep paying every year. Public Lands Map gives that land-status answer free: the map color-codes federal, state, and provincial land by its manager and draws the legal motorized roads (MVUM from the Forest Service and GTLF from the BLM carry a legal designation; county and TIGER roads record existence only, never a permit). Being honest: onX is genuinely better for detailed private-parcel ownership with landowner names and for hunt-unit / GMU boundaries — neither of which we offer; if that's why you'd pay, onX earns it.

Common questions

Is Public Lands Map really free, unlike onX?: Yes — the full web map is free, no subscription and no account to browse: public land color-coded by manager, the legal MVUM/GTLF roads, and routing. onX charges a yearly subscription to see the same public-land data. Our only paid feature is offline download, a one-time pass.
What does onX do that this map doesn't?: onX shows detailed private-parcel ownership (with landowner names) and hunting-unit boundaries — we don't offer either. If parcel ownership or hunt units are what you need, onX is genuinely the better tool.
Does this onX alternative work offline?: Yes. Browsing is free online; offline use in the field is a one-time regional pass, never a recurring subscription.
What public land does this map show?: Federal, state, and provincial land color-coded by manager — BLM and Crown (gold, dispersed camping is the rule-of-thumb), national forest (green), national parks (brown, permit/campground only), and state land — across the US, Canada, and Mexico, plus the legal motorized roads.

Sources — verify before you camp

This page aggregates public data; the linked official pages are authoritative — verify before you camp. The color on our map is the disclaimer, never a permit.