Avenza Maps, the popular app that the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has used to distribute digital trail maps for nearly 15 years, is undergoing significant changes that impact trail users throughout our region. The changes follow a sudden company buyout and restructuring, with the app developer, Avenza, combining with another company, Blue Marble Geographics.
News of this merger and changes to the app took us by complete surprise—both as an outdoor organization that uses Avenza Maps to distribute our award-winning maps to the trail-loving community, and as recreational hikers ourselves who use the app whenever we hit the trail.
We know many of you have questions. While this development is outside our control, here’s what we understand so far.
What’s Happening at Avenza?
As of April 2026, Avenza has merged with Blue Marble Geographics and now operates under the Blue Marble Geographics name. This significant company restructuring included an influx of private equity, leadership changes, and staffing layoffs. The new company is making a strategic shift to focus on professional users, including prioritizing a paid tier of the app and phasing out functionality previously available to recreational users for free.
Can I Still Use My Maps?
For the time being:
- Any users who purchased for-sale maps or downloaded free maps can continue using them in the app.
- Our existing maps remain available for purchase or free download through the app’s Map Store.
Will the Avenza Maps ‘Map Store’ Eventually Close?
At some point the app’s Map Store will close. We’re uncertain when that may occur and what impacts there may be on any already-purchased maps. The Avenza Maps app itself is not disappearing. Blue Marble Geographics has not provided a clear timeline yet for its plans for the store.
Will Trail Conference Maps Continue to Be Updated on the App?
The Trail Conference is no longer able to add new maps to the app, or update existing maps, as the developer has stopped map additions and updates from all map vendors. While we’ll continue to make our existing maps available for now, we cannot update any maps, and we’ll be sure to note this in the map descriptions. Rest assured that we are continuing to update our award-winning, printed-on-Tyvek physical maps!
Why Are Some of My Maps Showing As “Inactive”?
Some users may also be affected by a change that paywalls the use of Custom Maps, which are maps loaded into the app outside of the app’s Map Store. Users of the app’s free tier were previously allowed a limited number of these maps, but now users must subscribe to a paid tier to use Custom Maps. If you have any maps labeled as “Inactive” in your catalog of maps, this is likely the source of that issue.
What Happens Next?
We here at the Trail Conference are greatly saddened by this sudden change and the impacts on the trail-using public, our volunteers, our park partners, and other users. We have distributed nearly a half million maps through Avenza Maps since 2012, including both free and for-sale maps, and we’re actively exploring all available options moving forward so we can continue to offer our maps and quality trail information in digital formats.
Please use this feedback form to share your experience with digital trail maps and any alternative apps you recommend. Your input will help inform our ongoing search for potential new platforms.
The Trail Conference is committed to providing the public with the highest-quality regional trail maps. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this unexpected development.
For the latest updates and to make any inquiries about your purchased maps or your account, please visit the Blue Marble Geographics website, as they‘re responsible for customer questions and support in this matter.