We'd like to ask you for the courtesy of contacting us if you have a problem with the app or data and give us the chance to work with you to resolve it before you leave a poor review.
The FAQ's you see here are specific for our Android app. You can find more general FAQ's about The Ultimate Public Campground Project at www.ultimatecampgrounds.com.
What do the symbols in the top Action bar mean?
How can I move the map around?
How do I choose a different map background?
How do I see the Details for a location?
What do the icons on the Details page mean?
How do I use the Favorites feature?
How do I troubleshoot problems?
What do the various app settings do?
What do the symbols in the top Action bar mean?
In order to not clog the map with icons when zoomed out, the app uses a clustering method of displaying data on the map. As you zoom in, the clusters will separate into smaller clusters and eventually it will show the individual campground icons. The zoom level needed to see individual icons varies a bit based upon the number of icons in the area. If there are only a few, you can zoom out a ways and still see them, whereas if there are lots of campgrounds in a small area, you will need to zoom in closer.
There are three ways to zoom in and out:
- Use the "+" and "-" buttons in the upper left corner of the map.
- Spread or pinch your fingers together on the map.
- Tap on a cluster to zoom in centered on that cluster.
When the app is opened for the first time after installation, it will open with the map centered in the center of North America. To jump to your current location tap the blue Locator symbol at the upper left of the map, just above the plus and minus zoom buttons. You will get a pop-up asking if you want to allow the app access to your device's location service. Select "Allow" and the Locator symbol will change to orange, indicating that it is now tracking your position. As you move (walk, hike, drive, etc.), it will now follow you. It will zoom in and display a marker at your current position.
If you start to move the map, the Locator symbol reverts to blue to indicate that it is no longer tracking you. To return to your current map position, just tap it again.
Just remember: Orange is tracking mode, Blue is not.
The uses two sets of fliters, Primary and Secondary. You have the option of using the Secondary filters or not to refine your campground search. In order to accelerate the load-up time of the data, we provide as part of the Primary filters a choice of regions you can select to display. The fewer regions you choose, the faster the app responds; however, there is no problem in selecting all of them at once if you choose- just be aware that more campgrounds may result in a longer load-up time. The second set of Primary filters let you select only the types of campgrounds in which you are interested, such as RV or Back-Country Tent locations. The third group of Primary filters let you select just the owning agencies that you would like to see displayed. The app will remember these settings from one use of the app to the next. Please note that the eight campground types we use are NOT mutually exclusive; some campgrounds offer more than one type of camping.
You can refine your search options even more by enabling the "Use Secondary Filters" to show you only campgrounds with various features in which you are interested. Just remember that the more Amenities and Activities you check, the fewer campgrounds you will see.
Example: If you check all elevations, you will see all CG's. If you select no elevations, you will see no campgrounds. Checking just one or several elevations will show you CG's at those selected elevations.
Caution: If you think some campgrounds are missing from the map display, please check your filter settings.
How can I move the map around?
There are several ways to move(scroll) the map:
To move the map, drag the map with your finger.
You can also move the map by tapping on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the map to open the Search box. Tap within the box to bring up the keyboard. Enter the name of a city or latitude/longitude where you want the map to go and tap either "Go" on the keyboard or "Locate" in the Search block. To return to your current location, tap the Locator symbol in the upper left corner of the screen so that it turns orange and the map will jump back.
On smaller devices like cell phones, while in the landscape view (horizontal), the popups (balloon) may disappear when you scroll down to read the content of the campground. When the actual marker goes off the bottom of the screen, the campground popup will close. To prevent this, just hold your finger on the screen outside of the balloon, while moving the map downward.
How do I choose a different map background?
You can choose from 3 types of maps: street view, aerial (satellite) view and topographic map. You can choose your map by clicking on the Layer symbol just below the Search button in the upper right of the screen. A nice feature of the topographic map is the inclusion of hiking trails. Please note that the topographic map displays meters, not feet, for terrain elevation. The Aerial view is useful following less distinct roads that may not appear on the Map view. It is also useful for seeing what a campsite actually looks like.
How do I see the Details for a location?
To see the detailed information for a location merely tap on the map icon. A balloon will open up displaying most of the available information for that location. The balloon also includes a button which you can tap to add that location to your Favorites list. Another button will take you the Details page for that campground. This page summarizes all the information about a camp site in an easier-to-read format. It also includes buttons at the top which provide more help to you:
How do I use the Favorites feature?
By tapping the "Add to Favorites" within a location's Comments balloon or the Favorites icon on the Details page, you can add it to a list of campgrounds that you want to "remember". To make finding a saved Favorite easier, the Favorites will organize your entries first by state, then by icon and then by name. To view the Favorites list when in the Map view, tap the Favorites button (the heart) at the top of the screen. To see your Favorites on the map, use the Back arrow (<-) in the action bar at top of the screen when on the Favorites page. The map will now display a heart on the icons of your Favorites. To return to the map without refreshing the Favorites on it, use your device's Back button.
Each location in your Favorites list will show the phone, website, route, weather, image search and locate buttons (see above) as well as:
Back (Up) Button: When on a page other than the main map page, you will find a Back button on the left side of the top Action bar. Tapping that will return you to the main Map (Home) page. You can also use the device's Back button to accomplish the same thing.
How do I troubleshoot problems?
Problems with the map loading? Be sure to check your internet connection, be it Wi-Fi or Mobile Data.
Problems with the Locator function? Check the Location Services settings of your device.
You might find the app's Back button does not work in older versions of Android. If you encounter that, simply use the device's Back button.
If you have a question about the app or comments about the data, there is a "Contact Us" form which can be accessed from the menu button at the top right of the map screen. Please don't hesitate to contact us.
What do the various app settings do?
With the settings you can customize the appearance and features of the app to your liking. Once set they will be remembered from one session to the next.
