# OwlsheadGPS Project

> Official OHV trail navigation for California public lands with offline maps. (iPhone/iPad app by Friends of Jawbone.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/owlsheadgps-project/id1224855662 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Friends of Jawbone](https://appshunter.io/developer/649600931)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.50/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 190 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-04-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-20
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/owlsheadgps-project/id1224855662/reviews.md

## What is OwlsheadGPS Project?

The OwlsheadGPS OHV Trails app depicts the designated OHV route networks of participating pubic land management agencies in California.  We’ve acquired their official OHV route data and combined them into a mobile app that is designed for you -- the outdoor enthusiast.  Remember, when you navigate California's backcountry dirt roads and trails using your motor vehicle, you must only drive on the routes that are officially designated and signed open for motorized use. Other OHV apps feature route data supplied by users and non-agency sources and may depict routes that are not actually legal for motorized use.

The OwlsheadGPS app includes more than 37,000 OHV and other motorized routes across lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, National Park Service, California Department of State Parks and Recreation, and other agencies throughout the State of California. 

The OwlsheadGPS app allows you to:

√ Download trails and maps for any or all of seven regions to explore new and exciting areas outside the range of wifi and cell service,
√ Zoom and scroll across the map,
√ Display and update your location (iPhones and cellular iPads only),
√ View your location on the map whether moving or stationary,
√ Record and view saved tracks with My Rides,
√ Like and share with Favorite Trails,
√ Manage the display of data layers for wilderness, national monuments, military lands, park lands and other special status areas.


Please note that in order to use the OwlsheadGPS app offline, you will need to download large amounts of data. The first region that you download will contain data that pertains to all regions.  Additional data sets will be smaller and take less time to download. The downloading of trail and map data for offline use is most successful across very fast internet connections, and when your device is awake and the OwlsheadGPS app is open. You will see a confirmation alert message when a data set has been successfully downloaded and is ready to use offline. If you do not receive this confirmation alert, please try your download again.

Location Services must be on to display and update your location on the map, or to record your tracks.

## Key features

- Official OHV route data
- Offline map downloads
- 37,000+ motorized routes
- Track recording (My Rides)
- Favorite trails sharing
- Data layer management

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/owlsheadgps-project/id1224855662/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Comprehensive focal point

*2025-12-21*

Easiest app to visualize recreational sites like Big Bear and Ocotillo Wells

### 1/5 — Maps never complete downloading

*2021-01-25*

Iphone se 2nd gen. App downloaded fast but the maps didn’t. Tried to to download one map. Left the app open and phone awake/unlocked for over 5 hours and the it never finished some parts went to 100% but others never past 53% or 25%.

### 1/5 — Can’t remove this abomination quickly enough

*2020-02-21*

Great idea, truly awful implementation.

Doesn’t scroll vertically, and in spite of the app’s name, doesn’t seem to make use of the GPS.

### 4/5 — Great database

*2019-06-29*

It took me a while to download the offline maps. During that time I did not experience any kind of delays or hangups. As the app states at the beginning of the map download, the initial time is lengthy due to it downloading 80% of the data. After that it is much quicker. For me, the first time took about an hour, but I used most of my data allotment from HughesNet which is a satellite isp.  My second down load took 15 min. 

I hope that the program update will receive satellite imaging.

### 5/5 — How to download

*2019-05-27*

Had the download stop like others have said. Cancelled it, turned off cellular data and restarted download and it worked fine. As they say, it takes at least 30 minutes for the first download, then the rest are faster. Very cool app and even better that it's free. Thank you to the dev.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2019-03-26*

I really wanted this to work because it would be great to have offline maps of OHV trails but it doesn’t. It starts to download but never finishes. I know it’s not my internet speed because I have pretty fast internet.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work -

*2018-11-16*

Never completes any downloads,even after deleting and re-loading the program. 

Glad it’s free, ‘cause it’s worthless!

Deleting again…

Giving it one star, since you can’t give zeros.

### 1/5 — Doesn't work

*2018-09-17*

I would love to use this app but it doesn't download the maps offline. All it does is hang no matter how long i leave it on.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2018-06-24*

Have tried for months to get this to work .. I can not get it to download and off line maps ... it will start to download and then never finishes 

Would really love to love this app since the idea is great

## Frequently asked questions about OwlsheadGPS Project

### What is the short name for OwlsheadGPS Project?

The short name for OwlsheadGPS Project is OwlsheadGPS.

### Does OwlsheadGPS have ads?

No, OwlsheadGPS does not contain advertisements.

### How often is OwlsheadGPS updated?

OwlsheadGPS was last updated on June 15, 2021, with version 1.3.0.

### What devices is OwlsheadGPS available on?

OwlsheadGPS is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

### What is the age rating for OwlsheadGPS?

OwlsheadGPS has an age rating of 4+.

### How do I download maps for offline use in OwlsheadGPS?

To use OwlsheadGPS offline, you need to download trail and map data for specific regions. This is most successful on fast internet connections with the app open and your device awake. A confirmation alert will appear upon successful download.

### What is the user sentiment for OwlsheadGPS based on ratings?

OwlsheadGPS has a rating of 2.5 stars from 13 ratings, indicating a mixed to negative user sentiment.

### Can I use OwlsheadGPS without cell service?

Yes, OwlsheadGPS allows you to download trails and maps for any of its seven regions to explore areas outside of Wi-Fi and cell service range.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.3.0 — 2021-06-15

Bug fixes

### 1.2.0 — 2018-04-28

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

In this version we implemented new features, support for new devices and operating systems, updated route data, performance enhancements, and bug fixes. Specifically, significant improvements were made to location depiction, particularly while in motion, so the application will now update your location as you move. New features include "My Rides" which stores your saved tracks, and "Favorite Trails" with "Like" and "Share" components.

### 1.1.0 — 2017-10-18

We update the app regularly so we can make it better for you. Please download the latest version for all of the available features and improvements.
 
If you are enjoying the app, please help us out by leaving a review in the App Store. Thanks for using OwlsheadGPS!

### 1.0 — 2017-04-17

No release notes.

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## More apps by Friends of Jawbone

- [OHV Trail Map California](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ohv-trail-map-california/id1447504661)

All apps by Friends of Jawbone: https://appshunter.io/developer/649600931

## Related topics

[owlsheadgps project](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/owlsheadgps-project)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*