Google Earth Topo Maps

by on July 23, 2008 in Software

Here’s a great tip on adding Topographic or Topo Maps to Google Earth.

Google Earth has some great layers but they’ve never implemented a topo layer. To add a layer manually just download the USGS Topo Map Layer and open it with Google Earth. After the layer is installed you can zoom into an area and activate the layer to see topo maps of that region. Voila, topo maps on Google Earth.

If you aren’t familiar with Topo Maps they show the elevation of a landscape and are very useful when planning off-trail hiking trips or spotting good hunting grounds.

Update: It looks like this original version from 3DSolar is having issues loading. Try this alternate topo layer from GELib

Hat tip to the Google Earth blog for sharing this.

Tagged as: Earth, Google, topo

  • eleysha

    I am trying to find a way to add a topo map layer to my google map. I have been searching online for about 2 days and I am not sure how it can be done. If you could give me any help with this at all, it would be greatly appreciated.
    ~Eleysha

  • http://KnowtheNetwork.com tsudohnimh

    I don’t think you can add the topo layer to Google Map, Only Google Earth. To get the topo in earth just download the USGS overlay layer (http://tinyurl.com/5p5hwm) and open it in Google Earth. I hope this helps.

  • jungz

    i can't do it..huhuh pls.. give me the step how to view the topo in google earth…pls… thnx

  • Shai

    Anyone know if anything similar is available in Australia? Specifically Canberra?

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    You should see the new earth 4 energy feature that is absolutely great.

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  • allen

    i tried it but there was just a red X on the area I was trying to view the topo on. Does this mean there isn't a topo available there?

  • http://KnowtheNetwork.com Keith

    It will give you a red X if you are zoomed too far in and at times you just
    need to uncheck and recheck the “places”.

  • http://KnowtheNetwork.com Keith

    It will give you a red X if you are zoomed too far in and at times you just
    need to uncheck and recheck the “places”.

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  • Griffinproperty

    I have tried zooming further out and checking and un-checking the “places”, but continue to get a red X. Any other thoughts?

  • http://KnowtheNetwork.com Keith

    It looks like the link to 3D solar (who hosts the files) isn’t working. Try
    this set of topo maps http://netkno.ws/getopo2

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