California River Maps

There are many gorgeous rivers in California that are perfect for camping and fishing, but none are located in Southern California. None! Yep, you read that right. If you think about it, Cali is half desert! The majority of our natural water in our state is coming from the north – so take this as a warning: you might need to drive a few hours to find your ideal river camp.

The easy-to-access waterways are found mostly along highways in the Sierra Nevada – or way up in NorCal. Deep granite gorges carved out by glaciers, surrounded by forested peaks is only half the appeal. High elevation lakes, waterfalls, big trees, abundant wildlife, and the alpine villages are all part of the Sierra Nevada experience.  Raft, kayak, fly fish, hike, bike or just camp out next to a big, rushing, flowing river. Our selection of California maps will get you narrowed down to a specific region, so you can find that perfect river campground, or explore and discover the back roads – for the most seclusion.

NorCal Rivers:

EEL RIVER
KLAMATH RIVER – Klamath NF Map
MATTOLE RIVER
NAVARRO RIVER
6 RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST
RUSSIAN RIVER
SALMON RIVER
SMITH RIVER Recreation Map
TRINITY RIVER – Trinity NF Map

Sierra Rivers:

AMERICAN RIVER – El Dorado NF Map
FEATHER RIVER Recreation Map
FEATHER RIVER – Plumas NF Map
CONSUMNES RIVER – Stanislaus NF Map
KERN RIVER – Sequoia NF Map
KINGS RIVER – Sierra NF Map
KINGS RIVER – Kings Cyn NP
MERCED RIVER – Sierra NF Map
MERCED RIVER – Yosemite NP
MOKELUMNE RIVER – El Dorado NF Map
OWENS RIVER – Inyo NF Map
STANISLAUS RIVER – Stanislaus NF Map
S YUBA RIVER Recreation Map
YUBA RIVER – Tahoe NF Map

LOCAL TIPS

KERN: The Kern River is the most popular of all the rivers due to it’s proximity to SoCal. Hurried, stressed-out, Angelinos can be at this destination in under 3 hours which makes it a very busy place in summer months. So, let it be told, that summer is not the best time to enjoy the Kern. If you do plan a summer outting, make sure you head for the Upper Kern (10+ mi N of Kernville) or the North Fork of the Kern (out in Monache Meadows) where 4×4 is often needed. The Lower Kern River has only 2 developed campgrounds: Hobo (closed for winter) and Sandy Flat (open all year). Numerous primitive camp spots are available along Old Kern Canyon Rd, which paralells the Hwy 178 on the south side. Fire danger is great in this area, so pay extra close attention to signs and fire restrictions.

YOSEMITE: Take note, this is the most popular park in the whole state. The majority of campers want to stay right on the river when they visit Yosemite National Park, but that is just plain old impossible, since reservations go fast and there is only so much room for everyone in this enclosed, narrow, precious valley. This particular park has some major floods (recently 1997 & 2005) that wipe out bridges, the road ways, all the old wooden cabins (at Yosemite Lodge) are gone and only half of the campgrounds are still available. Yosemite has had 11 winter floods since 1916 that have caused substantial damage to property.

3 Yosemite Campgrounds are located next to the Merced River (inside Yosemite Valley)

• Lower Pines Campground
• North Pines Campground
• Upper Pines Campground

Way up in the Yosemite high country (which is only open a few months outta the year) the Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located next to Tuolumne River.  All these campsites must be reserved well in advance!

USGA topo maps California

Tahoe Topo Atlas

The United States Geological Survey team has been working hard since 1897 to research and create the maps you might need to enjoy the great outdoors. Government produced maps include – USDA, NFS, USGS

California Mountains Maps
Topo Maps CA
River Maps California

California National Forest maps, Wilderness maps, Topographical atlas

The USGS is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology, geography, geology, and hydrology.

• Map Wilderness
  a selection of wilderness areas and recreation routes
• National Forest Maps
  all individual California National Forest maps
• Regional Map Sets
  bundled map packages for specific region in CA
• CA Map Topo Atlases
  spiral book of topographical data plus satellite images in CA NF
• Recreational Maps California
  detailed maps for popular peaks, parks, rivers & forests

Dome Lands Wilderness

Interesting California map links -
Recent Earthquakes CA & NV
USGS.gov
Science In Your Backyard: California
Topographic Maps of California
Broer Map Library – California

Sequoia Map, #1 seller on Total Escape

Map of California Baja: New Baja Almanac 2009

BAJA MEXICO MAP

After a very long and grueling wait of 4 years, the mysterious Landon Crumpton has finally resurfaced with the much anticipated new version of his very popular Baja Almanac. Now is the time for claiming your copy, as they are in limited quantities and these puppies might not last long.

The Total Escape crew has been using this amazing topo map for Baja Mexico since the very first versions in the early 1990’s.

The publisher disappeared, to work on 2nd edition and compile the Sur & Norte into one solid booklet, even more popular and sought after than the first one. Total Escape sold thousands of copies of the 2000 edition and ran out in early 2006. Then he disappeared again and no one has heard a peep until last week:

NOV 1, 2009, a mass email was sent out by the Vegas publisher & we quickly jumped to restock our supplies.

The new version is much larger than before measuring nearly 11″ wide x 16″ high.
Scale is 1″ = 5.5 miles

CLICK HERE TO ORDER Baja Maps from Total Escape

Off Road typically means “off the pavement”

While many argue the phrase “off-road” means only hard core 4×4 routes, rock crawling or rally racing, here at Total Escape any road that is not paved is a dirt road to us, and well worth exploring. Graded dirt roads, gravel roads, access roads, washboards, forest roads, secondary roads, desert washes, one laners, OHV trails – can all be dirt roads. Whether or not your vehicle can handle them is your decision, but believe me, you do NOT need a modified Jeep to start your adventuring. Most dirt roads can easily be accessed with a normal passenger car – if you pay close attention to terrain, deep mud ruts and the rocks in the road.

Clearance is usually the first thing that will have you hesitating. If you own a truck or SUV – this is enough to be considered a “high clearance vehicle” and good to go on 90% of dirt roads in Cali. Many dirt roads will become 4×4 required or recommended when mud or snow are present, and no signs to warn you, so always check the weather forecast in advance. And most importantly, BRING A REAL MAP.

Paper Maps vs. Online Maps

Driving on Interstates and state highways is one thing, exploring and discovering new routes and real sightseeing is another animal all together. Go prepared to be delayed: to stop and sit, to listen to the wind, to picnic outside, to watch the weather change, photograph the clouds forming above your head, enjoy the process. Remember the journey: Half the fun is getting there!

If you’ve ever tried to travel across the state with a GoogleMap, YahooMap or MapQuest one page printout, you will soon realize it’s limitations. Stuck in a small town called Julian, at night, on Christmas Eve, argueing with your partner, trying to find your way over to Interstate 10. Not a good plan! A statewide atlas will save you from many unexpected route changes, as well as prove to be an invaluable tool while traveling. Free as a bird, ready to explore the open road and well prepared is the key to less stress in route.

Nearly every maps we sell on Total Escape has dirt roads:

• US National Forest Maps have all the main routes, the dirt roads and some main hiking trails. Trailheads, ranger stations and campgrounds are well marked.
• CA Wilderness Map collection have the topographical features you will need to hike the region, peaks, streams, and all dirt roads leading up to the trail heads. Nearby campgrounds will be shown. Equestrian (horse back riding) is okay, but no mountain biking is allowed inside these Wilderness Areas.
• OHV Routes & Maps will display the “off highway vehicle” routes, which include single tracks for dirt bikes/motorcycles, wider routes for quads and all roads rated for 4×4 only use. Several selected maps will also show hiking biking and equestrian routes.
• Recreation Maps can feature various types of activities all on one map, from offroading to snowmobiling, river rafting to waterfalls. These maps cover a smaller area or popular region to enjoy.

Here at Total Escape, we are here to change all that. The fear of outdoors, the unknown, the capability, the driving skill. Your SUV is a good reason to be outdoors in the golden state, at bare minimum. No excuses. Enjoy the California you never knew – and sometimes that means getting off the pavement. Yes, more than 2 miles.

SUV trail - any path, dirt road or route that can be driven on; high clearance vehicle are often necessary, 4×4 needed on occasion. National Forests, canyons, deserts, mountains, country lane style drives, some classic routes skirt the wilderness boundaries. We have it all for ya here. Rock crawling Rubicon adventures, all the way down to the leisurely ‘Sunday drive’ thru a forest to a meadow for a picnic. 

Jeep trails, forest roads, graded roads, gravel roads, back roads, dirt roads, 4×4 routes, OHV (off highway vehicle) trails.

MAPS will get you out there!

Dust, dirt, mud, snow. Beyond the county line, way back there, where you can discover ghost towns, old mines in the desert, hot springs, historic lodges, petroglyphs, river gorges, fire lookouts, waterfalls, and so much more.

Get motivated and travel in your SUV:

• California Back Roads
• National Forest CA
• SUV in California
• 4×4 Clubs CA
• 4×4 Routes
• California Trailheads
• Road to Nowhere
• SUV Rollover News