At 505 Offroad we use two apps to plan our runs, share routes, and navigate the trails. Here’s a quick overview of both and how we use them as a group.
GPS Navigation & Trail Maps
onX Offroad is our primary GPS and group coordination tool. We use it before and during every run to share waypoints, mark key locations, and navigate in areas with no cell service.
How we use it as a group:
- Run leaders drop waypoints for the trailhead, staging area, obstacles, lunch spots, and bailout routes into a shared folder everyone pulls it before we leave.
- We share GPS coordinates in the group chat for any spot without an address. onX opens them with a single tap.
- We download offline maps for the run area ahead of time — cell service disappears fast once you’re off pavement in New Mexico.
- Go & Track records the run, and anything worth saving (new camp spots, alternate lines) gets added as a waypoint for future use.
Key features: 650K+ miles of OHV trails, offline GPS, public/private land boundaries, Route Builder, 3D maps, CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Trail Guides & Route Planning
Trails Offroad is where we do our research before committing to a run. It has over 3,000 expert-written trail guides with difficulty ratings, obstacle photos, and community reviews — great for vetting new trails and making sure they’re right for the group.
How we use it as a group:
- Run coordinators scout trails in advance — reading descriptions, checking difficulty, and reviewing obstacle photos to set expectations for everyone.
- We build a shared List for each run so members can see the planned trails, leave comments, and ask questions before run day.
- On the trail, Follow Mode cycles waypoints on-screen as you drive, handy for the lead truck so nothing catches you off guard.
- Entire states can be downloaded offline, so you’re covered even deep in the backcountry.
Key features: 3,000+ trail guides, Scout Routes, Follow Mode, offline downloads, GPS track recording, cross-device sync.
Both apps offer a free 7-day trial with everything unlocked. Most of our members run onX Offroad for GPS and navigation and Trails Offroad for trail research. Both are under $40 a year.