# Scenic Map Western USA — user reviews > 56 indexed App Store user reviews of Scenic Map Western USA by GrangerFX, rated 4.20/5 from 13 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scenic-map-western-usa/id363746157/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scenic-map-western-usa/id363746157.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 9 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (11 of 56) ### 4/5 — Quite Useful - Avid Hiker *2026-04-01* I’ve owned this app for probably 10 years now. I haven’t compared it to competing apps that have come out since, but with no sub and the entire bundle for $30, I’ve definitely more than gotten my money’s worth. Years ago, I turned a corner on a new trail. I encountered unexpected (although not actually surprising) snow drifts covering the trail. Someone was coming out with snowshoes and told me she’d spent a long time and couldn’t find the lake. I got out this app, and got to enjoy a nice afternoon at a gorgeous lake. ### 4/5 — The best map app *2019-09-08* A topo app you can use offline? What more could an outdoorsman want. I only give it 4/5 stars just because no one believes that 5/5 star reviews are authentic. I love this app and use it all the time in the back country where there’s no cell or wifi. Keep up the great work! ### 4/5 — Impressive App *2014-02-12, version 1.5.1* Beautiful renderings of the topography of the Western US. Very useful for driving with the offline mode, but I do wish it had the ability to import waypoints from Google Maps or a GPX file, for road trip destinations. ### 4/5 — Map *2013-05-08, version 1.5.1* I love this app. The only thing missing on it (as well as every other mapping app) is a black background for night driving. The iPad is simply too bright in my car while driving through rural Montana in the dark. ### 5/5 — An Exceptional set of maps! *2013-03-28, version 1.5* While it does take a lot of memory, I have found it well worth it. Since I don't have an IPhone, I just use my Ipad 2 with wifi and a GPS via blue tooth. Now I'm able to save my trips without needing cell phone reception. I now go where I wish and without getting lost! The 3D is so worth it! ### 5/5 — Finally, a map app I can use off road *2013-02-20* I have tried at least 15 different map apps and this is the first one that I find good enough to depend upon. I do a lot of off-road driving, and more often than not, I am far from cell zones and any ability to dynamically download maps. Scenic Map is requires no prep-work before driving off the grid. It is a completely self contained app and while not perfect, I am rating it a 5 to demonstrate my satisfaction with it relative to other apps I have used. Many of the roads I drive are on BLM land and unmaintained, and the 3D capability of SM is indispensable when I am trying to get myself back to civilization. Additionally, the ability to create Tracks allows me to revisit areas I know passable and in the winter, to navigate in deep snow when the roads are no longer distinguishable from the rest of the terrain. I highly recommend this app. ### 5/5 — Just too big. *2013-02-19, version 1.5* I was trying to load the update but Apple says there is not enough room to load the update. I even deleted the app giving 4.3 GB free and it still won't let me reinstall. A shame as it's a good app. ### 4/5 — Fun *2012-10-29, version 1.4.3* A fun map. The 3d rendering could be helpful. I enjoyed looking at it when hiking today. I was looking for an app that would support importing of gpx waypoints. This does not but the developer assured me that it is coming with the next update. ### 5/5 — Awesome. Really nice for pilots too! *2012-10-18, version 1.4.3* This is a great app. While we use it for flying, it would be great for any sort of traveling. Kinda like G00gle Earth, but doesn't need an live Internet connection. The person who said it was unusable must have got the interface into "joystick mode" by accident. I'm recommending this to all my pilot friends. ### 5/5 — Great for desolate hiking areas and works using Bad Elf GPS locator *2012-10-13* I gotta give this one this 5 stars. We've used this app in hard to reach areas with zero tower signal available on the iPhone 4 and this app works flawlessly with Bad Elf GPS iPhone chip. It's nice to see where you are headed, range in and go. Tracking is a great add on and shows distance traveled, time and elevation. If you need to return to the starting point the app will show you the exact return trail to take you right back. My only complaint would be the map could have a bit more detail. Definitely worth the 10 dollars.. Be sure to spend some time on the website to learn the basics of this app before you head out. The Bad Elf GPS uses the iPhone battery for power so it doesn't hurt to have an added battery pack for the iPhone if you are out on the trail for an extended time. ### 5/5 — Spectacular app! *2012-10-06* There is a bit of a learning curve, so plan on spending an hour on the developer's web site playing around and figuring out how to use it. Once you get the hang of it, it's a pretty amazing app. Vacationing in Moab, Utah, I was able to get a really good idea of the terrain we were heading in to; the 3D feature lets you travel right up canyons, spin them around, etc. The fact that the app shows local place names, not just the cities, makes it very easy to know exactly where you might be headed. Two thumbs up! One downside is that the app takes a lot of space on your device; that's how it can work without web access. Even after making room on my phone, the App Store told me I didn't have enough space; I had to restart my 4S before I could do the download. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2018-03-26* Way to slow rendering maps. Pyrolysis needs work ### 1/5 — Only select area have detail *2014-09-08, version 1.6.1* Low on detail compared to eastern version and other poducts ### 1/5 — South West not in western map ? *2014-05-28, version 1.6* Are you kidding me!? 90% of Colorado and New Mexico are missing from the Western USA map!! So now I'll have to buy two different maps and spend twice as much just to see what should already be included in this OVER PRICED app? It's hard to navigate and does not work as smoothly as most other map apps. Deleted ! ### 1/5 — Unusable - Locked in Update Mode *2014-05-06, version 1.6* This used to work OK on my iPad 1. Now it won't work at all, nor can I find a way to cancel the update mode that it's stuck in. ### 1/5 — Crap! Will NOT update. *2014-04-04, version 1.6* Would like to try/use this app but it's STUCK on the update and will not load! Worthless and frustrating! Do you even try/use your own app?? ### 1/5 — Western US starts west of Albuquerque *2014-01-29, version 1.5.1* Seriously the maps are missing half of NM and CO. What a rip now you have to buy central maps to finish off the western US. ### 1/5 — Retpd2001 *2013-03-12, version 1.5* Purchased but it won't install on either my phone or iPad, please fix! ### 1/5 — Nearly worthless app *2012-11-01* I bought this for the ability to have the map stored in the iPad 3rd generation while driving the Idaho Bitterroot backcountry on forest roads with no cell coverage. The detail is there but I found it nearly worthless as a practical tool for finding your way around. Map has to be zoomed way in to get the forest roads to show with names/numbers that relate to the small numbered signs you find along the way but when you zoom out to get perspective all the roads disappear. All the default settings seem designed to provide a spinning flyover 3D game type display that may be fun to look at when you are sitting at home but it's worthless when you are sitting at a trail intersection in the woods trying to figure out which way to go. At the very least, there should be a way to STOP the momentum function from flying all over the place and disable all of the silly tilting, sun angles, shadings, seasons, pre-sets, jetc. Way to easy to inadvertently touch the screen in the wrong place or manner and send the map careening out of control or changing to something totally unrecognizable. If your finger lingers a bit too long it goes into "joystick mode" and you're lost, upside down, and off the map again. The free "you need a map" version covers the entire country and will do the job better unless you want the spinning 3D flyover type stuff. **Developer response:** Some users love the 3D and some prefer 2D. You can now set the map to 2D in the settings or select Preset 3 which is already setup for 2D. ### 1/5 — Map Olof the western US *2012-10-05, version 1.4.3* Totally unusable. Navigation is broken. When you try to move the map it just spins in circles. DO NOT BUY!!!! ### 1/5 — Dead in the water! *2012-07-06, version 1.4* Cannot update. Would love to, but the update does not recognize that the app is already using sooooo much space, so it won't download the update at all. I tried updating from my Mac without success. Looks like this app is now dead in the water...or on the lost trail! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — The best! *2025-03-14* A friend showed me Scenic Map years ago and it is still my go-to mapping app. I used it to navigate during a weeklong trip backpacking in Alaska way off the beaten path and it performed like a champ. Thanks for continuing to support this amazing app! ### 5/5 — Love It! Works Great…Must Have when no Cell Service. *2022-11-13* Love It! Works Great…Must Have when no Cell Service. ### 5/5 — A complete western us map in your pocket *2019-06-22* I’ve used this for years to navigate the mountains and canyons of the Western US. It is the most reliable, complete OFFLINE map I’ve found. It’s imaging and shading are very useful for getting a sense of the terrain, vegetation, and even where sunlight is hitting. The limitations are that the dirt road and trail accuracy is decent, but not great. Eg here in Idaho there are old roads that traverse private property or are defunct, still shown here. However, this isn’t alone in that problem, most other maps have the same issue. The good news is that this also includes some roads and trails that the other major maps are missing. The user interface is a bit unusual at first, but once used to it, it is powerful. I always keep a copy of this on my devices, you never know when the zombie apocalypse will knock out the internet (or maybe you just go out of cell range). ### 5/5 — I really like it *2019-06-09* I love the fact it does not need cell coverage to work. I can be in the middle of no where and have this thing show me my location. Far to many people get into the hills and get lost. Then cant even tell the SAR team their location. This turns my cellphone into a mapping GPS without cell coverage. I love it. But know this app is big. Still loving it! 9 June 2019 I have used it deep canyons and it still works. ### 5/5 — Don’t buy the negative reviews *2018-11-03, version 1.8.6* I’ve read through most of the negative comments, and I think operator error is the cause of most of them. This is still the best topo app overall I’ve found, and it’s offline! To be fair, I find that I don’t use the joystick gestures anymore, but it was a cool idea. And I’d still like to name presets. However, I recently had trouble adding a track from a KML file, and contacted Mark. He offered to convert the file for me! Hows that for customer support?! Are any negative reviewers doing due diligence before blasting the app? Resources are available. Map resolution is high. Even 2 track roads are there. Loads fast on my phone, which is only an IPhone 6. I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve used it in several western states now, and haven’t had issues. Satellite overlay is now available when online, which is a)awesome and b) shows continuous improvement. All for 15 bucks. Sorry, but the negative reviewers are irritating me. ### 5/5 — Essential when out in the backcountry *2017-06-12* This app is easily the best I've used of its type. I use it routinely when backcountry skiing and hiking in the western United States. It is my first choice when planning tours and making adjustments on route. The maps are excellent, clear and well detailed and the UI is intuitive. No need to download maps is great. I discovered it also includes Hawaii which was an unexpected pleasure. Everything you want, nothing you don't. 5/5 ### 5/5 — excellent *2015-03-23* I travelled to the southwest on a hiking/ camping road trip to two weeks and used this app for city and backcountry navigation. it worked really well. I had no data so everything preloaded was great to have. ### 5/5 — How To Download *2014-05-18, version 1.6* There is a How To Download page on the Scenic Map web site. App developers have no control over the app download process but there are simple steps that always solve download problems. Please contact me before writing a negative review. I like to help my customers. -Deneloper ### 5/5 — Excellent *2013-04-05, version 1.5.1* Excellent mapping app for all of my off road adventures. Very accurate and detailed. ### 5/5 — Great app *2013-04-05, version 1.5.1* I was looking for an offline map. And the scenic maps are perfect! I don't need an Internet connection. It has helped us get around when we make a wrong turn or need to know if another street intersects. LOVE IT! --- *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 2026-08-24.*