Coquitlam, BC - September 16, 2026.
Two established Canadian mapping brands are coming together, bringing decades of experience in outdoor recreation, road, city and travel mapping under one Canadian company.
We’re excited to share a new chapter for Backroad Maps: MapArt is now part of the Backroad Maps family.
For decades, both brands have helped people understand and explore the places around them, but in different and complementary ways.
Backroad Maps has built its reputation on detailed outdoor recreation mapping, helping people explore Canada’s backroads, trails, parks, campsites, fishing areas, paddling routes and adventure destinations.
MapArt, meanwhile, has a long history in Canadian road and travel mapping, with road maps, city maps, regional maps and atlases that have helped generations of travellers navigate Canada and destinations beyond.
Now, those two mapping traditions are coming together.
Two Mapping Brands, Different Strengths
MapArt will continue as its own brand and sales channel, with its distinct focus on road, city and travel mapping.
Backroad Maps will continue doing what we do best: creating detailed mapping for outdoor recreation and adventure.
Bringing the two brands together gives us a broader foundation across mapping, publishing, GIS, retail distribution and digital development, while allowing each brand to retain the products, audiences and identity that make it distinct.
“MapArt has been an important part of the Canadian mapping landscape for many years. The two brands serve different but very complementary needs. Backroad Maps helps people explore beyond the highways, while MapArt has a strong history in road, city and travel mapping. Bringing them together gives us an opportunity to preserve what MapArt has built while strengthening Canadian mapping expertise for the future.” - Russell Mussio, President of Backroad Maps
MapArt.com Is Back Online
As part of this new chapter, MapArt.com is once again open for online ordering, and MapArt products are returning to retailers and distributors.
We’re also working through the broader MapArt catalogue, reviewing existing titles and identifying opportunities for updated editions and future products.
Not every previous MapArt title will necessarily return, and this process will take time. Our focus is on building a strong, sustainable catalogue while preserving the products and mapping expertise that have made MapArt a familiar name across Canada.
Looking Ahead
We continue to believe strongly in the value of print maps.
At the same time, the way people discover, purchase and use maps continues to evolve. Bringing MapArt and Backroad Maps together creates new opportunities to invest in both print and digital mapping, combining the strengths and experience of the two brands.
There is plenty of work ahead, from updating products and rebuilding the MapArt catalogue to exploring new ways of bringing professional mapping to customers.
But the direction is simple: two Canadian mapping brands, each with its own identity and strengths, moving forward together.
Explore the New MapArt.com
MapArt products are available online again, with more products and updates to come as we continue rebuilding the catalogue.
