Maps for my Garmin GPS

Updated 3-24-2009

Download the complete map set

There are some areas that I wanted downloadable maps for, but what was available commercially didn't have the detail that I needed.  Then I ran across the Keen People web site and it had a tutorial on how to make your own downloadable GPS maps for the Garmin units.  Below are my first Map attempts.  You will need Garmin's Mapsource  or the Shareware program, sendMap, to download these maps in your GPS.  Only Garmin GPS units that support downloadable maps will work.  These maps have been loaded on a Vista, Legend and 60cs/csx (they look great in color!) without any problem.  Read about how to install these maps before you consider downloading them.  Here's the readme file. Garmin has no affiliation with these maps nor has any commercial data been used to create them.

All of my map sets may be installed in the same directory without conflict.

As far as what I map...I map places that I have been to frequently enough to justify and do not have a decent map for my GPS.

Now for the disclaimer:  You take any and all responsibility for any damage, Earth quakes or locus swarms caused by the use of these maps.  These maps are for entertainment use only.  Never rely on one navigational aid.  If you don't know how to use a compass and map, please learn that first and carry both with you.

Map ID #255, West Central, Florida, USA

Weeki Wachee Preserve (Hernando County, Florida) - Requires 22K
Homosassa River (West Citrus County, Florida) - Requires 251K
Chassahowitzka River (West Citrus County, Florida) - Requires 54K
Balm-Boyette Preserve (South Hillsborough County) - Requires 19K
Curiosity Creek Preserve (South Hillsborough County, Florida) - Requires 13K
Egmont Key Preserve (Island off of South Pinellas County, Florida) - Requires 15K
Ft. Desoto Park (South Pinellas County, Florida) - Requires 41K
Boyd Hill Park - (South Pinellas County, Florida) - Requires 14K
Alafia River State Park (South Hillsborough County, Florida) - Requires 34K
Weeden Island Park (East Pinellas County, Florida) - Requires 36K
Withlacoochee River County Park  - Requires 13K
EG Simmons Park (South Hillsborough County, Florida) - Requires 45K*
Myakka River Park Trails (Manatee County, Florida) - Requires 33K*
Bishop Harbor (North Manatee County, Florida) - Requires 48K.
Greater Bay Pines/Lake Seminole/Millennium Park (Long and Cross Bayous) (Pinellas County, Florida) - Requires 114K.

Here's one map set that contains all of the maps below plus others.  The maps in this combined set are the most up-to-date. Not all of the maps contained in the set are displayed on this page  The size is the memory needed in the GPS.

*The Myakka River Map is missing the river and some of the trails under tree cover.  Not all of he trails and camp sites have been confirmed. It is about 50% complete.  The EG Simmons map covers the park and mangrove waterways NE of the park.

NOTICE: Due to the hurricanes of 2004 Ft. DeSoto has changed considerably.  I expect Egmont Key has shifted its shore also.

Below are some additional samples of the maps.  Each has far more detail in the GPS than these screen shots display.  Due to this, older GPS units will redraw the maps slowly, although my eTrex Vista keeps up keep up with hiking and kayaking fine.

EG Simmons Park with the Mangroves to the Northeast.

Egmont Key Preserve with trails and major historical features labeled.

Click on the images to see a larger version bitmap.  Unfortunately, even the larger image doesn't do justice to the detail that is displayed on the GPS.

West Central, Florida, USA

Last Updated 3-24-2009, Requires 114K of memory in the GPS

This covers the waterways from Boca Ciega Millennium Park to Bay Pines War Veteran's Memorial Park and North through Cross Bayou and Long Bayou  to and including Lake Seminole.  It was intended for kayaking use.  You cannot paddle from Long Bayou to Lake Seminole directly, the road and spillway prevents it.

The cross and Long Bayou area should only be attempted with a positive tide, ideally at least one foot above mean.  The tides in that area appear to be at least an hour behind the John's Pass tide.

The Greater Bay Pines area

Click on the images to see a larger version bitmap.  This only displays about 2/3 of the actual may and at a much lower resolution than what will be in the GPS.   At last count this map was made of more than 17,000 nodes (points).

West Central, Florida, USA

Last Updated 4-20-2004, Requires 19K of memory in the GPS

I visited this preserve in 2003 and was impressed at all of the quarry lakes and trails. It was my first attempt at map making.  It held up well when I went back with the map and followed some trails and walked the coastline of a few lakes.  

Of course, the lake sizes change quite a bit after heavy rains and during drought periods.

NOTE: This does not include the Weeki Wachee River, yet anyway

Here's the Weeki Wachee Preserve map as of 4-20-2004.  There are 2,150 points making it up.

Click on the image to see a larger version bitmap.

Tampa, Florida, USA

Last Updated 12-27-2004, Requires 16K of memory in the GPS

This map was was an act of desperation. I was on a quest to finish the Going For Distance Geocache and this preserve was huge.  From the parking area it's 2 miles until you get to the real trails.  I couldn't find any maps that covered the bike trails, so armed with my Weeki Wachee Preserve experience I mapped it..

This is the Balm-Boyette Preserve map as of 4-20-2004.  There are 2,263 points making it up. 

Click on image to see a larger version bitmap.

Last Updated 11-23-2007, Requires 36K of memory in the GPS

Weeden Island is one of the few nearly natural parts of Pinellas County that remains.  It has a series of boardwalks, a nature center and a canoe/kayak launch.  The latter is the start of a four hour kayak trail that tunnels through Mangroves from Papy's Bayou to Tampa Bay and continues around much of the island.  Parking and restrooms and water fountains are available.

Weeden Island map as of 11-23-2007. 

Click on the image to see a larger version bitmap.  The complete map is larger than what is shown

 Homosassa Springs, Florida USA

Last Updated 12-3-2007, Requires 251K of memory in the GPS

This map was born out of the need for a detailed river map for some eventual canoeing or kayaking.  Additionally, I wanted to be able to add oyster an sand bars, etc.  I also have five Geocaches hidden in the area covered by this map. 

The The map now covers the Homosassa and Little Homosassa Rivers from the main spring to the Gulf.  Some detail and the background will be added.  I also hope to add some of the channel markers as soon as I get a clear day and some good numbers.

This is a complex map with about 10' resolution.  It's a little sluggish on the older units like the eTrex especially if you're zoomed way out.   It kicks butt on the newer units like the 60cs.  Even at the slower redraw speeds, it worth it if you need the detail.

The Hurricanes of 2004 may have altered some of the islands.  The Terra Server data used for these maps was taken before the storms.

The version in the combined map set contains more data than this version.

Click on the image to see a larger version bitmap.

5 miles South of Homosassa Springs, Florida

Last Updated 11-23-2007, Requires 54K of memory in the GPS

This is a beautiful river with minimal development on it. After I got the kayak I decided that this would be one of my destinations and a better map than I had was needed. I'll be refining this as time goes on with the goal of connecting it to the Homosassa Map. For now, it takes you from the boat launce parking lot to the Gulf with plenty of side trips.

Chassahowitzka River map as of 12-3-2007. 

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Bishop Harbor - Manatee County, FL

About 6 miles East of the Southern Skyway Bridge toll plaza

Last Updated 2-13-2009 Requires 48K of memory in the GPS

This map covers Bishop Harbor and the area to the South.  Many of the mangrove tunnels have not been confirmed, but I'm working on it.  Currently, the map is made of 6795 points.

Bishop Harbor

Click on the image to see a larger version.