Map prices head north

For the first time in nearly a decade, increasing costs of production, printing, and distribution are driving the need for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service to increase the price of its maps. Prices of U.S. Forest Service paper and plastic coated maps will increase to $14 on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

The U.S. Forest Service continually updates its maps and looks for ways to enhance maps. The Forest Service expects to shorten the revision cycle as cartographers continue to apply new digital technology to the map revision process.

The U.S. Forest Service continues to increase the availability of digital maps. Digital maps for mobile applications can be downloaded at: http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps/store. Digital maps cost $4.99 per side.

Visitor maps for forests and grasslands within the Rocky Mountain Region are available for purchase directly from national forest and grassland offices. The Rocky Mountain Region manages 17 national forests and seven national grasslands in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Maps can be ordered by mail, fax, phone, or online through the National Forest Map Store at http://www.nationalforeststore.com/.

Order can be made by phone by calling to 406-329-3024 or you can fax your order to 406-329-3030.

Mail order and payment to:

USDA Forest Service

National Forest Store

P.O. Box 7669

Missoula, MT 59807

The physical location of the National Forest Map Store will soon be relocating to Portland, Oregon. When the move is complete, the new address and phone number will be available online at http://www.nationalforeststore.com/.

To help offset the pricing increase for volume sales, starting Jan. 1, 2018 discount pricing will be made available on sales of 10 or more of maps of the same title. Discounted maps are only available when purchased through the National Forest Map Store.

The U.S. Forest Service is dedicated to researching, producing and distributing informative, accurate maps that can help improve the experience on America’s national forests and grasslands. Additional online resources that may help users enjoy the great outdoors:

The Interactive Visitor Map helps you find great places to go and explore.

A trip tip section called Know Before You Go can help you enjoy the outdoors and be safe

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains world-renowned forestry research and wildland fire management organizations.

National forests and grasslands contribute more than $30 billion to the American economy annually and support nearly 360,000 jobs. These lands also provide 30 percent of the nation’s surface drinking water to cities and rural communities; approximately 60 million Americans rely on drinking water that originated from the National Forest System.