onX Backcountry Hiking Trails Reviews

by Cal Vike

Way too many layers on the map with no intuitive, easy way to turn off the layers. If there is a way to turn off the layers, I haven’t found it. I don’t need to see bulky, thick blue lines all over the map, and trails with multi colored lines overlaid on them. And if you tap for a waypoint, but decide you don’t want it or need to move it, it appears you have to save it first and then delete it. You should be able to just it cancel or ‘X’ out of it. onXBackcountryHikingTrails is trying to put way too many features into one experience. Too clunky and map is so littered with overlay debris that it’s pretty much useless as a… map.

by Sean7250

Provides nearly zero info beyond a standard (free) topo map. Had zero expectations going in, which were met in kind upon attempting to learn anything useful from onXBackcountryHikingTrails . Absolutely zero functionality or usefulness for their target demographic of backcountry skiers/boarders so I’m not entirely sure what the purpose of onXBackcountryHikingTrails is aside from a money grab. The most prominent feature are the reports from Cody’s Fifty project, which is a marketing gimmick above all else. Will avoid the OnX apps if this is really all they have to offer.

by Callmesmart

I found this to be challenging to use. The images and advertisement look great, but I don’t have a ton of the trails in my area that are on onXBackcountryHikingTrails. This doesn’t really give me anything that my old version of Gaia doesn’t. I got it on sale for $10. It’s extremely limited in its use (only to hiking trails). Doesn’t seem useful for hunting or 4-wheeling. They have different apps that cater to those for additional money. Maybe it’s what you’re looking for, but it’s not for me. I won’t be renewing.

by EMTsnow

OnX Backcountry has two good features and that’s the offline maps and 3D maps other than that I highly suggest Gaia or CalTopo over onXBackcountryHikingTrails. Slope angle shading is vital in backcountry missions, map layers are impossible to find on onXBackcountryHikingTrails. You get 100x more information on maps on both Gaia & CalTopo.
I’ve used CalTopo for years and have had a much better experience. I’ve used Gaia for a week, and OnX for a week.
Gaia for being out in the backcountry and tracking while on a mission is amazing, CalTopo for when I’m planning missions at home is how I use the two together. OnX has 100% lost it for me, if I hunted, I’d use OnX, otherwise no benefit to other maps to most backcountry users. Especially since you can use CalTopo for free and still get more info than OnX....

by Kmbrewcrew

I got onXBackcountryHikingTrails hoping it’d help provide extra support for hiking trails, but have found it severely lacking in one feature that I think is very odd...trail segment distances. It tells you how long the whole trail is, but does not have distances on segments of the trail. I find this odd because I also have a subscription to OnX Hunt Maps, and for the trails that are on there, this feature exists.

I paid for a year on onXBackcountryHikingTrails, but I’m not sure there is any added benefit for it over simply keeping the hunt maps subscription. Hope that changes with updates, as I really want to like this and find usefulness for our hiking, camping and hunting excursions...

by Hunterhiker

Overall I like onXBackcountryHikingTrails . I have been using onX hunt for a few years and love it so I decided to give onX backcountry a try. While using onXBackcountryHikingTrails in the field it’s easy to use and very reliable. With that said there are a few improvements I’d like to see… I would like the search feature to have some filtering based on difficulty, length, etc as of now the search feature is a little frustrating at times. I can’t seem to access some of the same map layers that onX hunt has. Lastly I wish you were able to toggle on and off interaction between the onX hunt app and the onX backcountry app (at the very least sharing waypoints). All things considered though I’m still enjoying onXBackcountryHikingTrails so far

by Riley Kraus

I don’t seem to be finding much when trying to finding lines with this service. When switching from trail to snow mode and then selecting my activity, backcountry trail maps only show up sometimes. Plus, there’s a very limited amount of trails actually there. I’ve found better luck using Powder Project’s website when trying to find skin-tracks. Not a bad app, just very difficult to use snow mode.

If there could be a wider selection of trails for backcountry skiers would be a great app. And a mode to hide all the hiking trails. Don’t really need them when everything’s covered in snow and I’m trying to find skin-tracks.

by Jaguarsnake1108

Onx icon whited out yesterday and I’ve been unable to open onXBackcountryHikingTrails 2 days. I went to appstore to ck for update and there is an update and my iPhone software version (iphone 6) is incompatible. I checked my phone for updates, it’s up to date; ckd apple website and ios 13 is not available for my phone. I need a link to download the version onx i just had before update please. I love this mapping software. It’s best for trails hands down!! Please help.

Star rating based on onXBackcountryHikingTrails just abruptly quitting without me updating or anything and icon turning white.

by Spidermansgf

Whether you are planning a snow show adventure, looking for local hot springs, or renting a lookout tower for a night, onXBackcountryHikingTrails will not only lead you in the right direction, but it will tell what weather to expect and show you all the details you might need to start your adventure. I highly recommend it!

by Birddog5340

I have em all. I’ve been using the hunt app for several years, and the functionality of all three is outstanding. They turn my phone into a multi use tool that saves time and space.

by Emilyandgizmo

I love onXBackcountryHikingTrails ! I’m so glad OnX has branched out from just the hunting app. I’m looking forward to more features being added to onXBackcountryHikingTrails over time. I also really like the way onXBackcountryHikingTrails navigation works - bit of a deviation from standard iOS tab navigation, but I think keeping the map always in view was such a good call.

It would be nice to be able to add/show remove/hide layers. Maybe that’s coming down the pipeline.

Also - is an On X van life app coming soon?! Hahaha jk, that would be nice though.

Good work team - from a fellow iOS dev :)

by Bubbleballs213

Though this product is fairly new, it is already showing its promise to be the leading online mapping site which is guaranteed to help you get into and out of places you previously didn’t even know were there.

by Mtrc111111111

Incredible app that allows me to explore with more information at my fingertips . Weather and offline maps assist me with planning safely and insuring our adventures go as planned. Tracking allows me to revisit our favorite hikes and to show others some of our amazing finds outdoors.

by Backroads Buck

I purchased other nav apps before, and a few were decent, but there wasn’t one that pulled together all the features I love like this one!

But the best part of onX Backcountry is the customer service. A couple weeks ago my iPhone battery was dying. The Apple store swapped it out. I backed up my phone, but, of course, none of the passwords back up.

I was locked out of my accounts. I went to reset my password but my linked email account was locked and I couldn’t get in.

I sent a help request to the onX Backcountry help desk and it was only minutes before they responded, changed my email to my back up account, and sent me a temp password. Start to finish…only a few minutes and I was rucking on!

There are no other companies I deal with that have a response time like that! None! The sense of urgency is understood!

If you’re debating purchasing onXBackcountryHikingTrails, hesitate no more! Awesome features, emails with hints and tips to get max usage, and a top-notch help desk if anything goes wrong! Professional from start to finish.

I know I’ll be renewing when the time comes because this is a company I can rely on!

Run your own race. Hike your own hike. Live your own life.

Backroads Buck

by Redrockclimber77

I have tried several apps for backcountry exploring- Gaia, Avenza etc, this is the handiest so far as it has excellent base maps with property boundaries! Living out west in a rural areas it’s crucial to know what is public and what is private. It’s the sole reason I bought this. Offline maps work great, the different sport options are fun (have only used snow shoeing so far) and the tracking and waypoint creation is easy. Only down side is it drains phone battery fast, but so do the equivalent apps. Always need to bring a back up. OnX was the go to for hunters I know and I love that there is an app for non-hunters as well.

by Molly I.

Seriously, this is the most intuitive hiking/outdoors app I’ve found (and I’ve tried them all). All the information you need to plan a hike or long trail run is there, and the offline maps are actually reliable! Can’t wait to see what OnX has in store for the future.

by Matdesmond

gof a mapping app for hikers and campers. Multiple other mapping apps out there charge the same (or more) yearly subscription for access to useless mapsb. and layers. Open up OnX Backcountry and BOOM- trails, state campsites, canoe runs, launches, parking areas, forest boundaries etc., etc., etc, are all already on your screen without having to slap on useless layers hu or download other digital maps. Excellent job, OnX. the m

by Dobaer

Great app for finding local trails for hiking, including a *really slick* 3D map view that shows elevation by overlaying the map image on a 3D frame. The “land types” help you see public vs. restricted access areas and the weather feature assists with both planning and current conditions. I can’t wait until they expand it a bit for trail running and MTB.

by AllKnowing1

onXBackcountryHikingTrails rocks! I used it everyday on my 9 day canoe wilderness trip to the BWCA in Northern MN. With no cell service, the offline maps gave me everything I needed. While the other boat used a paper map and had to figure out where they were, I had a more detailed map that showed me where I was and where I needed to go. The waypoint and trail making feature was sweet as well. Highly recommend for anyone venturing outdoors.

by Navy Nate

Love onXBackcountryHikingTrails for setting waypoints and making my own hike I can enjoy. In California, knowing property boundaries are as important as the hike itself.

There needs to be more preset hikes or onXBackcountryHikingTrails needs to be more intuitive so that searching for hikes when not on my home area is not cumbersome.

Overall, onXBackcountryHikingTrails can and I think will be better than other hiking apps out there. If it expands its preset hikes on onXBackcountryHikingTrails and makes it easier to find a more diverse array of hikes, then it will be the best app offered!

by Jratski

Lots of interesting options. Special places, trails and even weather info with cell service

by PJ_9/18/90

If you spend any time in the back country especially where you have no service this is easily worth the money.

by Jibba18

Tons of features and very easy to use. Great while out without service.

by @officialdjdmc

I’ve been waiting for an app like this. I can see it even being useful for vacation planning. Great work.

by Thebogey12

App is amazing!

by Easchmidt37

onX nailed it with onXBackcountryHikingTrails! Hope to see them co tongue to add more of the blue trails with details! A great app!