How to find USGS USNG topo maps

The following is raw email text courtesy of GIS Manager Randy Knippel of Dakota County MN and is posted so the information is available on www easily. It will be revised, edited and have screenshots added over time.

From: Knippel, Randy
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Subject: RE: finding maps in national map system

Sounds like a great idea. I am happy to help.

I usually do a Google search for “national map download”.

The first thing on the list goes here:

http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/

This is an interactive map.

1. Zoom in to your area of interest and turn on “Map Indices” — “7.5 Minute”. You will have to be zoomed to a reasonable scale to see the grid representing the maps (i.e. the map index). These are the standard USGS 7.5 minute x 7.5 minute (quarter quadrangle) maps. They all have names (It’s historic and not of much practical use…). Take note of the names of the maps you need.

2. Select “US Topo” on the left and click “Find Products”. This presents a list of maps available for download. Find the ones you want and add them to your cart.

3. Click “View Cart”.

4. In the “Download” column, click “Download” for each map you want.

5. Note that these are GeoPDFs — standard geopdf, branded for use with the free TerraGo Toolbar extension for Adobe Acobat Reader. It lets you turn on the MGRS coordinate readout. (http://www.terragotech.com/products/terrago-toolbar)

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Note that all these maps are also in the Avenza PDF Maps app:

1. Open the app

2. Go to the map store

3. Zoom to your area of interest

4. Click the “View as list” icon in the lower right corner

5. Scroll down to find the one that says “…TNM GEOPDF…”

Let me know if you need further help.

-Randy