Google has been hard at work trying to make travel better. From hotel and flight booking updates to sightseeing tours, the tech giant knows summer 2023 is about to go off. Now, our favorite search engine turned online lifeline has released new updates to better help you navigate national parks.
In collaboration with the National Park Service, Google Maps has introduced new features to enhance your park experience. Real park rangers and directors were involved in the research process, providing valuable insights to improve the platform’s accuracy and usability.
One of the notable updates is the addition of park entrances to the basemap. This feature allows travelers to easily plan their routes and choose the best trails to reach their desired destinations. For first-time visitors, Google Maps now includes photo pins for the park’s most popular spots. Similar to the Neighborhood Vibe feature, these photo pins provide a visual representation of attractions, campgrounds, visitor centers, and trailheads, making it easier to plan ahead and make the most of your time in the park.
Finding trails within the park has also been made more convenient. Trails are now more visible on the platform, and when you search for a specific trail, the map will highlight the entire route, providing a clearer path. Walking or cycling directions to trailheads are also available, making it simpler to access trails within the park.
In addition to helping you explore the park, Google Maps now allows users to contribute their own content. For the first time, user-generated photos and reviews of trails can be added to the Placesheet—the info window that pops up when you click on a location in Google Maps.
Furthermore, Google Maps has introduced offline functionality for national parks. With a downloadable park map and a dynamic blue dot indicating your location, you can navigate the park even without Wi-Fi or cellular coverage, making it safer and more convenient.
These updates are already available in some parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, and will be rolled out to all 424 National Park Service sites in April, with plans to expand to parks around the world in the coming months.
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