Outdoor Apps, Part II

Planning from your palm. 

Nothing is more satisfying than clearing off a table, cracking open a guidebook, and unrolling a map. Whether you’re searching for creeks to fish, peaks to climb, or trails to ride, planning is the first step of any adventure. These days, the planning toolbox has expanded, with the introduction of apps on our smartphones. Here are a few to try this spring.

MotionX GPS
MotionX
$1 (in-app purchases additional)

Download topo maps of roads, trails, or specific areas. Store these maps in the app and mark as many waypoints as you want. Then view a summary of your adventure, including elevation gain, downhill speed, and distance traveled.

Mountain Project
Black Diamond
Free

Climbers rejoice: this app has info on over 50 climbing areas in Montana alone, not to mention dozens more for planning your spring road-trips.

River Watcher
Root Hollow Apps
$2

Get up-to-date river conditions for fishing, kayaking, or any other river activities you have planned this spring. With maps, easy-to-read graphs, and real-time information, this resource will quickly become part of your planning arsenal.

Recreation.gov
Active Network, LLC
Free

When it comes to camping in southwest Montana, the options are endless. This app helps you plan trips by showing you available campsites for a given date and location. Again, it can be used locally or when you’re on the road.

Websites We Like

1. alltrails.com. Hiking, trail running, mountain biking. Outdoor enthusiasts’ source for trails all over the country.

2. adventure-journal.com. Essays, polls, photos, and more. Like outsidebozeman.com, but

for the whole world.

3. usgs.gov/water. The go-to resource for boaters and fishermen across the state. 

4. epictv.com. Thousands of videos curated and categorized to fulfill your every outdoor fantasy.

5. outsideonline.com. Years of classic stories archived and available free of charge.

6. cabinporn.com. Not adult films shot in the woods, but dream retreats and isolated habitations from across the globe.

7. outdoorhub.com. A one-stop-shop for all things hunting and fishing, particularly videos.

8. pbs.org/wnet/nature. Nature documentaries from some of the best filmmakers in the world featuring a range of topics.

9. dreamflows.com. Info for whitewater enthusiasts including water levels, class ratings, trip distances, and maps.

10. troutfitters.com. All you need to know about what’s biting and where.