We are specialists in planning RV vacations who have been sending travelers to incredible destinations for decades. We know that some of the most memorable parts of our trips happen outside the RV; that’s why we recommend the AllTrails app to our travelers who hike. Our entire team relies on AllTrails for our hiking and walking adventures – both in the national parks and outside of them. Below are the reasons we find the paid version of AllTrails a worthy investment. We are not affiliated with AllTrails in any way, this is just a good old-fashioned recommendation.

Offline Capabilities

What makes the most amazing destinations in the American West special is how remote some of them are—a quality that often comes with a lack of cell service. Large portions of many national parks are outside of coverage areas. One of the greatest advantages of the paid version of AllTrails is the ability to download offline maps. These maps work with your GPS even when you don’t have cell service. You download them ahead of time when you have service, so you can be safe, aware, and on track wherever the path may lead. 

The Latest Trail Conditions Reports

It seems that the most extreme weather takes place at the most extreme elevations. When exploring canyon depths or high-alpine peaks, keeping an eye on weather and trail conditions is crucial. With the paid version of AllTrails, you have access to the most up-to-date trail conditions as reported by AllTrails community and trail users, which is then tied into hyper-local weather reports providing detailed trail reports and forecasts. This can be a life-saving feature at times.

Wrong Turn Alerts

Another important feature that the paid version of AllTrails offers is wrong turn alerts. Every hiker has experienced that sense of unease when things suddenly feel unfamiliar. With wrong turn alerts, your app will track your GPS location and ping you to let you know if you’ve turned off the trail you were planning to follow. Given that the National Park Service responds to between 3,400 and 4,500 distress calls a year, this feature could be the difference between a great day of hiking or one that ends in a Search and Rescue call. 

Connecting with a Hiking Community

Whether using the free or paid version, one of AllTrails greatest benefits is the community you’re joining. With 90+ million users, the collective data that helps power this app is impressive. It’s also what makes it so useful. The detailed trail descriptions, reports, and photos you have access to as an AllTrails user can help you choose your next trail and safely enjoy it.