For adventure in Colorado and across the country, a new online tool seeks to be “a game-changer.”

That’s the word from Ariel Doumbouya, the U.S. Geological Survey specialist behind the agency’s 25K Recreational Topos. The name is for the scale of the maps, in which one inch represents 25,000 inches on the actual ground.

According to a news release: “The maps are highly detailed, allowing users to see subtle changes in terrain and plan routes that match their skill level, time constraints and interests.”

Trails and waterways are emphasized, along with trailheads, campsites, picnics and other amenities known by data compiled for the National Map. That’s a product maintained by the USGS, in collaboration with other governmental, academic, nonprofit and industry partners.

The 25K Recreational Topos, meanwhile, are “tailored specifically for recreational users,” the news release explained.

“They empower adventurers to explore the outdoors with greater confidence, insights and awareness of their surroundings,” Doumbouya said.

Using USGS’s topoBuilder app (topobuilder.nationalmap.gov) one can “grid” certain areas of interest and order detailed maps of those areas. The maps are emailed as PDFs.

The news release also noted the maps “can be integrated with GPS devices or mobile apps, providing real-time navigation in the field.”