About Us

At True North Map Co., we make rugged cloth maps for wild places.

Our maps are built for real use in the field — whether you’re paddling into the Boundary Waters, exploring a National Park, or planning your next backcountry trip. They’re waterproof, tear-resistant, lightweight, and made to hold up where paper maps fall short.

We started True North because we were tired of soggy, fragile paper maps that didn’t hold up to real adventure. We wanted something better: a map tough enough for the trail, canoe, or campsite, and beautiful enough to keep long after the trip is over.

Today, we design high-detail cloth maps for the entire BWCA, Quetico Provincal Park, and a growing number of National Parks, including Zion, Great Smoky Mountains, Voyageurs, and Isle Royale. Every map is designed with clarity, durability, and practical use in mind, so you can spend less time second-guessing your gear and more time enjoying the experience.

Our maps include the details that matter when you’re actually out there, including campsites, portages, trails, elevation contours, and natural features. Many also include suggested routes and recommended campsites to make trip planning easier.

True North Map Co. is based in Wisconsin and proudly makes maps in the USA. Behind the brand is founder Jerod Arlich — a lifelong adventurer, mapmaker, and problem-solver who believes good gear should be both functional and thoughtfully made. What started as a personal project has grown into a small business rooted in craftsmanship, exploration, and a deep love of wild places.

We build maps for people who want to travel with confidence, plan better trips, and carry gear they can truly rely on. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned wilderness traveler, our goal is simple: make a map you’ll be glad you brought.

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.

— The True North Map Co. Team

  • A portion of proceeds from BWCA Canoe and Wall Maps 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 purchase a BWCA Canoe or Wall Map, you’re helping support the long-term protection of the Boundary Waters.
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 efforts and enhancing the wilderness experience for enthusiasts.
Learn More About Friends of the Boundary Waters

  • Giving Back to Protect What We Love 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