Why Parks and Rec Departments Trust Printed Trail Maps
- Folding Maps
- Map design
Why Parks and Rec Departments Trust Printed Trail Maps
Nature may be wild, but navigating your trails shouldn’t be.
For parks and recreation departments, having clear, durable, printed trail maps is essential to helping visitors explore safely, enjoyably, and responsibly.
A well-designed trail map isn’t just helpful — it’s a key part of visitor experience, safety management, and community engagement.
Here’s why printed trail maps are still a critical investment for every park and rec department.
1. Printed Maps Improve Safety on Trails
Even with digital apps and signage, visitors rely on physical trail maps for orientation, especially in areas with:
Spotty cell service
Dense forests
Large park systems with multiple trailheads
Custom-printed trail maps help visitors:
Understand difficulty ratings
Spot key landmarks and trail junctions
Locate emergency exits and ranger stations
Safety is easier when visitors have the right information — in their hands.
2. Maps Make the Visitor Experience More Enjoyable
Good trail maps don’t just prevent people from getting lost — they turn an average hike into an adventure.
Visitors use printed maps to:
Plan scenic routes
Discover hidden waterfalls, overlooks, or picnic spots
Choose activities based on difficulty or distance
A thoughtful trail map encourages visitors to stay longer, explore more, and enjoy the best your park has to offer.
3. Durable Materials Stand Up to the Outdoors
At PocketMaps, we offer printed trail maps on rugged, outdoor-friendly materials, including:
Waterproof synthetic stocks
Tear-resistant papers
UV-coated surfaces for sun protection
These materials mean your maps can handle:
Rainstorms
Muddy trails
Folding and unfolding all day long
Visitors need tools that work as hard as your parks do.
👉 Learn more about our custom printed map solutions here.
4. Pocket Maps Are Affordable and Easy to Distribute
Custom printed maps can be handed out easily at:
Park entrances
Visitor centers
Trailhead kiosks
Campgrounds and outdoor shops
Typical bulk orders for parks and recreation projects:
1,000 - 5,000 copies (small parks, local trails)
10,000–25,000 copies (county parks, popular trail systems)
50,000+ copies (state parks, national recreation areas)
With bulk printing, costs stay low, and it’s easy to reorder each season or after major updates.
5. Maps Help Parks Promote Conservation and Stewardship
Printed maps are also an excellent opportunity to educate visitors on:
Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife safety guidelines
Seasonal trail closures
Conservation projects
When visitors understand how to enjoy and protect the outdoors, everyone wins.
Quick Recap: Why Parks and Recreation Departments Trust Printed Trail Maps
✅ Improve trail safety with clear navigation tools
✅ Create more enjoyable, memorable outdoor experiences
✅ Use durable, weatherproof materials for long-lasting use
✅ Print in bulk affordably and distribute easily
✅ Promote conservation and good trail stewardship
Ready to Create a Trail Map Visitors Will Love?
At PocketMaps, we help parks, recreation departments, and outdoor organizations design and print trail maps that are tough, easy to use, and built for real-world adventures.
Whether you need 5,000 or 50,000 maps, we’ll help you deliver an unforgettable outdoor experience — safely and beautifully.
👉 Start your custom trail map project with PocketMaps today.
Let’s get your visitors exploring with confidence.
Manage Your Project with Full Transparency
When you work with PocketMaps, you get great design and printing, and get complete visibility into your order every step of the way.
Our easy-to-use online dashboard lets you:
Track your project from design to proofing to production to shipping
See estimated ship dates and delivery times
Upload updated files or split shipments if needed
Chat directly with our customer service team anytime
We built this platform because, before PocketMaps, we were customers too, and we couldn’t find a solution that worked.
After 10 years of building and refining our system, we’re proud to offer you a faster, easier, stress-free experience.