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 items on this page are specific for our iOS app. You can find more general FAQ’s on The Ultimate Public Campground Project website.
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How do I find basic information about the app?
What do the symbols in the bottom action bar denote?
How do I change the map background?
How do I center the map on a different spot?
What is the difference between "Set map location origin" and "Go to a map location"?
How do I submit info on a new campground?
How do I submit updated information for a listed campground?
How do I find a route from my current location to a campground?
How do I use the Favorites feature?
When on the Map page, how do I see more details for a campground?
I have the app on my iPhone and on my iPad. Can I sync Favorites between them?
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How do I find basic information about the app?
Look in the upper right corner of the map page, click on the 
symbol and you'll find the following options:
What do the symbols in the bottom action bar denote?
On the Map page:
Use this slider to control transparency of map layers when displaying more than one layer
Tap to view campgrounds in list view
Tap to access filters
Tap to view routes (if you have set up any)
Tap to access map controls
Tap to submit a new campground location
Tap to access the GPX features of the app
Tap to choose map styles
On the List View page:
Tap to sort list by distance, state, name or organization
Tap to use some common search items
Tap these to reverse the order of the list
Tap to export or import Favorites from iCloud
On the Details page:
Tap to access to managing this location
Tap to see Flickr photos of this location
Tap to choose weather source
Tap for route info from current location to campground
Tap to find nearby places such as gasoline, groceries, restaurants, etc.
Tap to save campground in Favorites list. Changes to red when activated
Tap to go to webpage for location
Tap to see Google search results for location
Tap to see Google images for location
Tap to Yelp reviews for locations
Our list of filters allows you to set parameters such as CG type (RV, tent, back-country, etc.), ownership (USFS, COE, state, county, etc.), amenities, activities, fees, elevations, dispersed vs formal campsites and more.
On the bottom of the map view is the Filter button. If the button name has a dot proceeding the name, that means the filters are active. Otherwise the filters are not active and all locations will appear on the map.
- To view the filter, tap on the Filter button and the Filter menu appears.
- Tap Show Filters and the Filter list appears.
- To set the filter to show all locations, tap the Defaults button on the Filter list view so no filters are checked.
- Tap the Show at Startup button to always show the Filter list at app startup. If the Show at Startup switch is off, then all the locations appear on the map when the app starts.
Filter examples:
Suppose you do not want to see Appalachian Trail campgrounds on the map. In the Organization group, check all organizations except Appalachian Trail, and Appalachian Trail campgrounds will not appear on the map.
Suppose you only want to see campgrounds that have showers. Under the Showers group, check both "Yes, free" and "Yes, fee" to show only campgrounds that have showers. If "Yes, free" and "Yes, fee" are not checked, then the campgrounds on the map may or may not have showers.
Suppose you only wanted to see campgrounds that have hiking or mountain biking trails (or both). Under the Activities group, check both Hiking and Mountain Biking. Now only campgrounds that have Hiking or Mountain Biking (or both) appear. If Hiking and Mountain Biking are not checked, then the campgrounds on the map may or may not have hiking or mountain biking.
How do I change the map layer?
Tap the map icon in the bottom action bar of the map page. A pop-up will appear will options for a number of different map layers:
How do I center the map on a different spot?
To scroll the map to a distant location, tap the button at the bottom of the map page. Select "Go to a map location". Enter the town or city you want the map to jump to and tap the "Go" button.
What is the difference between "Set map location origin" and "Go to a map location"?
Using the "Set map location origin" will not move the map, but distances shown will be from the location you entered. If you go to the List view, campgrounds will be shown based on their proximity to the location you entered. To reset the map to your current location, tap the map control button at the bottom of the map page, then select "Set map location origin" and then select "Use your current location".
The "Go to a map location" option will jump the map to the location you enter, but distances to campgrounds will be from your actual current location, not the location you entered.
Can I view NPS and topographic map overlays?
Yes, for those locations where the NPS has processed their maps for such use. On the map page, tap on the icon of the square with the upward-pointing arrow. In the pop-up, select “PDF maps”. To download a park’s map, tap on that park. Parks with maps you have previously downloaded will have a map symbol in the left column instead of the download symbol.
There are also topographic maps for a few parks. To see that list tap on the “Maps” button at the bottom of the NPS Maps page and then choose “TOPO”.
How do I submit info on a new campground?
On the main map page tap on the “+” sign. Zoom/scroll map to location you want to submit and then touch the map and hold a few seconds to drop a new pin at that location. If the pin doesn’t appear exactly where you think it should be, you can press, hold and drag the pin to the proper position. Then tap the red “+” to go to submission page. On this page please enter as much information as possible to help us locate and verify the location so we can add it to our database. Tap the “Submit” button in the upper right of the screen to send us your report. Please do not submit your home location. And Thank You!
How do I submit updated information for a listed campground?
Go the Details page for the campground for which you are wanting to submit corrected and/or additional information. Tap the in the lower left corner of the screen and then select "Report a location issue".
How do I find a route from my current location to a campground?
Tap on the icon for a campground and then tap on the “I” to go to the Details page. In the bottom action bar tap on the icon. It will open a Google Maps page with a map and driving directions.
More advanced trip planning is available using Modesitt Software’s Road Trip Planner (RTP) in conjunction with this app. You can plan a trip using RTP and then import that route information into this app.
How do I use the Favorites feature?
The use of Favorites makes it possible for you to maintain a separate list of campgrounds in which you have a particular interest. To designate a campground as a Favorite, go the Details page for that campground and tap on the heart icon at the bottom right of the screen. To see your list of Favorites, on the Map page, go to List view and your Favorites will be shown at the top of the list.
When on the Map page, how do I see more details for a campground?
Tap on the campground icon to open a balloon that shows comments about that location. The amount shown is constrained by the size of the balloon. To see everything about that location tap on the icon at the right edge of the balloon. On the Details page you will also find links to other sources of more information about the location, such as a link to that location’s webpage, Google search results, Google and Flickr images, Yelp reviews, Facebook, and weather information.
I have the app on my iPhone and on my iPad. Can I sync Favorites between them?
Thre is no sync capability as such between devices. However, you can export your Favorites from one device to the iCloud, and then import from the iCloud to your second device.
To find your Favorites go to the List View page where you will find them at the top of the list. To export them, tap on the iCloud symbol at the bottom right of the screen:
On the next screen, choose the "Export Favorites to iCloud" option:
Now go your second device, on the List View page tap the iCloud icon at the bottom right and then select "Import Favorites from iCloud".
Is there a way to search the campgrounds for something not included in the filters, such the need for a 4-wheel drive vehicle to access a location?
At the top of the List View page is a search box with options to search either by campground Name or by Description. Choose the "Description" option and type in your search paramater, such as 4x4. That will give a list of locations which have "4x4" in their description.
There is also a shortcut search function which features some of the items most commonly searched. At the bottom of the List View page tap on the magnifying glass (search) icon:
The resulting page contains a list of the most commonly searched-for items:
Tap one and you will get a list of all campgrounds that have that item in their description.