About Us

True North Map Co. makes rugged, waterproof cloth maps for wild places.

We design high-detail maps for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), Quetico Provincial Park, and a growing series of U.S. National Parks — including Zion, Great Smoky Mountains, Voyageurs, and Isle Royale. Every map is printed on durable, waterproof cloth that holds up where paper falls apart.

True North Map Co. was founded by Jerod Arlich, a lifelong adventurer and mapmaker based in Wisconsin. What started as a personal frustration — soggy, fragile paper maps that didn't survive real trips — became a small business built around a simple idea: maps should be as tough as the places they take you.

Our maps are designed in-house using GIS data and printed in the USA. They're lightweight, tear-resistant, and built for the trail, the canoe, and the campsite. Many include campsites, portages, elevation contours, and suggested routes to make trip planning easier in the field. Our maps are sold direct at truenorthmapco.com, on Amazon, and stocked at outfitters and visitor centers across northern Minnesota and beyond.

Who We Are

Why Cloth Maps?

Paper maps tear. They soak through in rain. They fall apart at the folds. We built True North maps on cloth because the wilderness doesn't care about ideal conditions.

• Waterproof — survive rain, spray, and accidental submersion
• Tear-resistant — hold up to the abuse of real field use
• Lightweight — won't weigh down your pack
• Packable — fold and stuff without damaging the map
• Durable enough to keep — many customers hang them on the wall long after the trip

Conservation Partnerships

We put our maps where our values are. True North Map Co. donates a portion of proceeds from qualifying sales to wilderness conservation organizations.

A portion of proceeds from every BWCA Canoe and Wall Map sold supports Save the Boundary Waters and their work to protect this one-of-a-kind wilderness from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining near its borders. When you buy a BWCA map, you're helping protect the waters it depicts.

Learn More About Save the Boundary Waters →

True North Map Co. proudly collaborates with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness by offering an exclusive discount on our Canoe Maps as a membership benefit to their donors. This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting environmental conservation and enhancing the wilderness experience for enthusiasts.

Learn More About Friends of the Boundary Waters →

We're proud to donate a portion of profits from every Voyageurs National Park map sold to Voyageurs Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park. Their work helps preserve and protect this uniquely water-based wilderness for future generations, and we're honored to support their mission with every map purchased.

Learn More About Voyageurs Conservancy →

Our Story

We started True North because we were tired of gear that didn't hold up. On a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters, a soggy paper map nearly cost us a portage. We knew there had to be a better option — so we made one.

Today, True North Map Co. serves wilderness travelers, canoe outfitters, national park visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country. What started as a personal project has grown into a small business rooted in craftsmanship, exploration, and a deep love of wild places.

We believe the outdoors is sacred. It's where we feel most alive, most present, and most connected to what matters. That's why we make maps you can count on — so you can focus on the experience, not your gear.

Thanks for exploring with us. See you out there.

— Jerod Arlich, Founder