This Apple Maps update makes it easier to navigate national parks, so I took it on a 'test hike'
I can barely leave the house without relying on my iPhone and Apple Watch to help me get where I'm going, let alone travel. I've long used Apple Maps for driving and walking directions when navigating a new city. Last year, the tech giant introduced a handful of features that made my devices even more indispensable while traveling, including offline maps and easier-to-navigate maps in several major cities.
With the release of iOS 18 earlier this fall, Apple introduced even more travel-ready features, including an additional Apple Maps improvement that is especially beneficial for hikers. Now, you can use Apple Maps to access detailed hiking directions at all 63 U.S. national parks on your iPhone or Apple Watch. I've always relied on other apps for my outdoor pursuits, but these new features made it clear Apple Maps could do the job all on its own. But there was only one way to know for sure — I had to test it out.
My family is lucky enough to live less than two hours from Mammoth Cave National Park, which has several above-ground trails in addition to underground ones, so my husband and I loaded our three kids in the car and headed out for a day of exploring the great outdoors.
Before your hike
Before we set out for our hike, I downloaded an offline map of Mammoth Cave National Park. Because so many national parks are (blessedly) far from civilization, they often have spotty cell service.
To download an offline map in Apple Maps, simply search for the national park you plan to visit. You should see a button that says "Download" next to the button that displays the driving distance. When you click the download button, you can customize the area of the map you'd like to download. I suggest making it large enough that you can also use it to access driving directions around the park. Even for the drive to Mammoth Cave, it came in handy to have a map of the area downloaded to my phone.
From the same screen where you click to download the offline map, you can scroll down to view a list of the park's hiking trails. Because I had three kids in tow, I knew I had to choose a hike that wasn't too long or gained too much elevation. As I browsed the hikes, I could see the length, elevation and whether it was an out-and-back or point-to-point hike.
I went with a short out-and-back hike that turned around at the cave's historic entrance. People have been using this entrance for thousands of years, and many of the park's tours still pass through here today. Once you choose a hike (or hikes), click on the hike and then click "Add to Library." Once it is in your library, you can access it at any time by opening Apple Maps, clicking your profile picture and then clicking on "Library."
If you prefer to walk your own path, you can also create custom walking routes in Apple Maps and save them to your library. To create a custom route, just click on any road or trail, click "More" and then choose "Create a Custom Route." You can then click on any path or road on the map to add additional stops along your custom route. Apple Maps can help you complete your trail as an out-and-back or closed loop based on your preferences.
During your hike
Because I had downloaded a map of Mammoth Cave and saved my preferred hike before we left, I was able to get driving directions directly to the parking lot near the trailhead. Prior to this update, I was only able to use Apple Maps to get to the park's main visitor center and then find my way to the trailhead.
After we arrived, I turned on walking directions for the hike I had saved so I could easily track how far we had gone. The trails at Mammoth Cave are very well marked, but it was nice to have a backup plan in case we got lost or wanted to tackle another hike after finishing our first one (as it was, the kids chose lunch over more hiking).
When our hike was over, it was easy to find our way back to the car using Apple Maps. To show your parked car on Apple Maps, go to "Settings" on your iPhone, click on "Maps" and make sure "Show Parked Location" is toggled on. This ensures you can see the location of your parked car, given that your phone is paired with your car's Bluetooth or CarPlay.
Bottom line
Apple Maps' newest features make it easier, safer and more fun to explore our country's national parks or forge your own path with a custom walking trail. I love getting outside with my family, and I can't wait to try out the new features again. Maybe next time I can convince my kids to walk a bit longer before they stop to eat.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.